Recent Acquisitons

It’s been about a year and a half since I last posted my list of recent acquisitions. My household has not remained unaffected by the recession, consequently the acquisition of books into my personal library has considerably slowed. Nonetheless, 591 books now comprise my Civil War Nonfiction library, while I now own 96 Civil War novels.


Nonfiction

Axelrod, Alan, The Horrid Pit: The Battle of the Crater, The Civil War’s Cruelest Mission, Carroll & Graf Publishers, an imprint of Avalon Publishing Group, Inc., 245 W. 17th St., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10011, © 2007, Hardcover, 1st Carroll & Graf Edition, ISBN 0-7867-1811-0

Bardnell, Ron, Preserve It Reader In Remembrance of Me: The Writings and Saga of American Civil War Soldier George W. Belles, Merriam Press, 133 Elm St., Apt 3R, Bennington, VT 05201, © 2009, Trade Paperback, ISBN 978-0-557-06418-2

Barile, Suzy, Undaunted Heart: The True Story of a Southern Belle & a Yankee General, Eno Publishers, P.O. Box 158, Hillsborough, NC 27278, © 2009, Trade Paperback, ISBN 978-0-9820771-1-5

Bearss, Edwin C., Fields of Honor: Pivotal Battles of the Civil War, National Geographic Society, 1145 17th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036-4688, © 2006, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-7922-7568-8

Bonds, Russell S., War Like The Thunderbolt: The Battle and Burning of Atlanta, Westholme Publishing, LLC, Eight Harvey Ave, Yardley, PA 19067, © 2009, Hardcover, ISBN 978-1-59416-100-1

Burton, Orville Vernon, The Age of Lincoln, Hill and Wan, a division of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003m © 2007, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-8090-9513-1

Carton, Evan, Patriotic Treason: John Brown and the Soul of America, Free Press, A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, © 2006, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-7432-7136-3

Cox, Hank, Lincoln and the Sioux Uprising of 1862, Cumberland House Publishing Inc., 431 Harding Industrial Dr., Nashville, TN 37211, © 2005, Paperback, ISBN 1-58182-457-2

Cozzens, Peter, Shenandoah 1862: Stonewall Jackson’s Valley Campaign, University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC, © 2008, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-8078-3200-4

Detzer, David, Donnybrook: The Battle of Bull Run, 1861, Harcourt Inc., 6277 Sea Harbor Dr., Orlando, FL 32887-6777, © 2004, First Edition, Hardcover, ISBN 0-15-100889-2

Eicher, David J., Dixie Betrayed: How the South Really Lost the Civil War, Little Brown and Company, Time Warner Book Group, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, © 2006, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-316-73905-4

Evans, Clement A., Editor, Confederate Military History, Volume 10, Part 1: Louisiana & Arkansas, Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, GA © 1899 – Weider History Group, Facsimile Reprint Edition from the original edition of 1899 by the National Historical Society, 2008. © 2008 Weider History Group, Inc., Hardcover. For information on the series: Click Here.

Evans, Clement A., Editor, Confederate Military History, Volume 10, Part 2: Louisiana & Arkansas, Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, GA © 1899 – Weider History Group, Facsimile Reprint Edition from the original edition of 1899 by the National Historical Society, 2008. © 2008 Weider History Group, Inc., Hardcover. For information on the series: Click Here.


Evans, Clement A., Editor, Confederate Military History, Volume 11: Florida & Texas, Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, GA © 1899 – Weider History Group, Facsimile Reprint Edition from the original edition of 1899 by the National Historical Society, 2008. © 2008 Weider History Group, Inc., Hardcover. For information on the series: Click Here.

Evans, Clement A., Editor, Confederate Military History, Volume 12: General History, Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, GA © 1899 – Weider History Group, Facsimile Reprint Edition from the original edition of 1899 by the National Historical Society, 2008. © 2008 Weider History Group, Inc., Hardcover. For information on the series: Click Here.

Evans, Clement A., Editor, Confederate Military History, Volume 5: South Carolina, Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, GA © 1899 – Weider History Group, Facsimile Reprint Edition from the original edition of 1899 by the National Historical Society, 2008. © 2008 Weider History Group, Inc., Hardcover. For information on the series: Click Here.

Evans, Clement A., Editor, Confederate Military History, Volume 6: Georgia, Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, GA © 1899 – Weider History Group, Facsimile Reprint Edition from the original edition of 1899 by the National Historical Society, 2008. © 2008 Weider History Group, Inc., Hardcover. For information on the series: Click Here.

Evans, Clement A., Editor, Confederate Military History, Volume 7, Part 1: Alabama & Mississippi, Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, GA © 1899 – Weider History Group, Facsimile Reprint Edition from the original edition of 1899 by the National Historical Society, 2008. © 2008 Weider History Group, Inc., Hardcover. For information on the series: Click Here.

Evans, Clement A., Editor, Confederate Military History, Volume 7, Part 2: Alabama & Mississippi, Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, GA © 1899 – Weider History Group, Facsimile Reprint Edition from the original edition of 1899 by the National Historical Society, 2008. © 2008 Weider History Group, Inc., Hardcover. For information on the series: Click Here.

Evans, Clement A., Editor, Confederate Military History, Volume 8: Tennessee, Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, GA © 1899 – Weider History Group, Facsimile Reprint Edition from the original edition of 1899 by the National Historical Society, 2008. © 2008 Weider History Group, Inc., Hardcover. For information on the series: Click Here.

Evans, Clement A., Editor, Confederate Military History, Volume 9: Kentucky & Missouri, Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, GA © 1899 – Weider History Group, Facsimile Reprint Edition from the original edition of 1899 by the National Historical Society, 2008. © 2008 Weider History Group, Inc., Hardcover. For information on the series: Click Here.

Ferguson, Andrew, Land of Lincoln: Adventures in Abe’s America, Atlantic Monthly Press, an imprint of Grove/Atlantic, Inc., 841 Broadway, New York, NY 10003, © 2007, 1st Edition, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-87113-967-2

Freehling, William W., The Road to Disunion, Volume II: Secessionists Triumphant, Oxford University Press, Inc., 198 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016, © 2007, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-19-505815-4

Furgurson, Ernest B, Chancellorsville 1863: The Souls of the Brave, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, NY, © 1992, 1st Edition, Hardcover

Glatthaar, Joseph T., General Lee’s Army: From Victory to Collapse, Free Press, A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, © 2008, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-684-82787-2

Godfried, Bradly M., Ph.D., The Artillery of Gettysburg, Cumberland House Publishing, Inc., 431, Harding Industrial Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37211, © 2008, Hardcover, ISBN 978-1-58182-623-4

Gordon, Larry, The Last Confederate General: John C. Vaughn and His East Tennessee Cavalry, Zenith Press, an imprint of MBI Publishing Company, 400 First Ave. North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401, © 2009, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-7603-3517-8

Hessler, James A., Sickles at Gettysburg, Savas Beatie LLC, 521 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1700, New York, NY 10175, © 2009, Hardcover, 1st Edition, 1st Printing, ISBN 978-1-932714-64-7

Hicken, Victor, Illinois In the Civil War, University of Illinois Press, Urbana & Chicago, IL, © 1966, 1991, Second Edition, Paperback, ISBN 0-252-06165-9

Holzer, Harold, Lincoln President-Elect: Abraham Lincoln and the Great Secession Winter 1860-1861, Simon & Schuster, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, © 2008, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-7432-8947-4

Hook, Patrick & Steve Smith, The Stonewall Brigade in the Civil War, Zenith Press, an imprint of MBI Publishing Company, 400 First Ave. North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401, © 2008, Paperback, ISBN 978-0-7603-3050-0

Hunt, Robert, The Good Men Who Won The War: The Army of the Cumberland Veterans and Emancipation Memory, University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa, AL 35847, © 2010, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-8173-1688-4

Kolchin, Peter, American Slavery 1619-1877, Hill and Wang, A Division of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003, © 1993, Hardcover

Lemann, Nicholas, Redemption: The Last Battle of the Civil War, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003, © 2006, 1st Edition, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-374-24855-0

Marciante, Theodore, From Slavery to Freedom In Louisiana 1862-1865, Dorance Publishing Co., Inc., 643 Smithfield St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, © 2002, Paperback, ISBN 0-8059-5275-6

McFeely, William S., Grant: A Biography, W. W. Norton & Co., Inc., 500 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10110, © 1981, 1st Edition, Hardcover, ISBN 0-393-01372-3

Miles, Jim, Fields of Glory: A History and Tour Guide of the War in the West, The Atlanta Campaign, 1864, Second Edition, Cumberland House Publishing Inc., 431 Harding Industrial Dr., Nashville, TN 37211, © 2002, Paperback, ISBN 1-58182-256-1

Miller, William Lee, Lincoln’s Virtues: An Ethical Biography, A Borzoi Book Published by Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY, © 2002, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-307-29140-0

Millett, Wesley & Gerald White, The Rebel and the Rose: James A Semple, Julia Gardiner Tyler and the Lost Confederate Gold, Cumberland House Publishing, Inc., 431, Harding Industrial Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37211, © 2007, Trade Paperback, ISBN 978-1-58182-669-2

Misulia, Charles A., Columbus Georgia 1865: The Last True Battle of the Civil War, University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa, AL 35847, © 2010, Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-8173-1676-1

Morris, Roy, Jr., The Long Pursuit: Abraham Lincoln’s Thirty-Year Struggle with Stephen Douglas for the Heart and Soul of America, co-published by Smithsonian & Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 10 E. 53rd St., New York, NY 10022, © 2008, Hardcover, First Edition, ISBN 978-06-085209-2

Powell, David A. & David A Friedrichs, The Maps of Chickamauga: An Atlas of the Chickamauga Campaign, Including the Tullahoma Operations, June 22 – September 23, 1863, Savas Beatie LLC, 521 5th Ave., Suite 1700, New York, NY 10175, © 2009, Hardcover, First Edition, First Printing, ISBN 978-1-932714-72-2

Rafuse, Ethan S., McClellan’s War: The Failure of Moderation in the Struggle for the Union, Indiana University Press, 601 N. Morton St., Bloomington, IN 47404-9797, © 2005, Hardcover, ISBN 0-253-34532-4

Ricks, Mary Kay, Escape on the Pearl: The Heroic Bid For Freedom on the Underground Railroad, William Morrow, An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 10 East 53rd St., New York, NY 10022, © 2007, First Edition, ISBN 978-0-06-078659-5

Stewart, David, Impeached: The Trial of President Andrew Johnson and the Fight for Lincoln’s Legacy, Simon & Schuster, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, © 2009, Hardcover, ISBN 978-1-4165-4749-5

Stout, Harry S., Upon the Altar of the Nation: A Moral History of the Civil War, Viking, published by the Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014, © 2006, Hardcover, ISBN 0-670-03470-3

Taafe, Stephen R., Commanding the Army of the Potomac, The University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, © 2006, Hardcover, ISBN 0-7006-1451-6

Tagg, Larry, The Unpopular Mr. Lincoln: The Story of America’s Most Reviled President, Savas Beatie LLC, 521 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3400, New York, NY 10175, © 2009, Hardcover, 1st Edition, 1st Printing, ISBN 978-1-932714-61-6

The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies: Series 1 – Volume 45 Part 1: Reports – Nov. 14, 1864 – Jan. 23, 1865 Correspondence, Etc. – Nov. 14 – Nov. 30, 1864, Serial No. 93, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1894 – Reprinted in 1985 by Historical Times, Inc. for The National Historical Society, Harrisburg, PA 17105, Hardcover, ISBN 0-918678-07-2

The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies: Series 1 – Volume 50 Part 1: Reports – Jan. 1. 1861 – June 30 1865 Correspondence, Etc. – Jan 1, 1861 – June 30, 1862, Serial No. 105, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1897 – Reprinted in 1985 by Historical Times, Inc. for The National Historical Society, Harrisburg, PA 17105, Hardcover, ISBN 0-918678-07-2

Tucker, Phillip Thomas, Burnside’s Bridge: The Climactic Struggle of the 2nd and 20th Georgia at Antietam Creek, Stackpole Books, 5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, © 200, Hardcover, First Edition, ISBN 0-8117-0199-9

U.S. War Department, The 1863 Laws of War: Articles of War, General Orders No. 100, Army Regulations, Stackpole books, 5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, © 2005, Hardcover, ISBN 0-8117-0133-6

Wortman, Marc, The Bonfire: The Siege and Burning of Atlanta, Public Affairs, 250 W. 57th St., Suite 1321, New York, NY 10107, a member of the Perseus Books Group, © 2009, Hardcover, 1st Edition, ISBN 978-1-58648-482-8


Fiction

Bell, Madison Smartt, Devil’s Dream: A Novel, Pantheon Books, New York, NY, © 2009, Hardcover, First Edition, ISBN 978-0-375-42488-5

Bodden, Marlen Suyapa, The Wedding Gift, BookSurge Publishing, © 2009, Paperback, ISBN 9781439255834

Hawkins, J. D. R., A Beckoning Hellfire: A Novel of the Civil War, iUniverse, 2021 Pine Lake Rd, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68512, © 2007, Paperback, ISBN 978-0-595-43531-9

Macatee, Susan, Mary Ann Webber, Jeanmarie Hamilton, Jennifer Ross, Isabel Roman, & Caroline Clemmons, Northern Roses and Southern Belles, The Wild Rose Press, P O Box 706, Adams Basin, NY 14410, © 2009, Paperback, ISBN 1-60154-670-X

Stanley, Dick, Knoxville 1863, Cavalry Scout Books, Austin, TX, Distributed by Create Space, © 2010, Paperback, ISBN 1451580312

Trouche, Perry, The Mule Shoe, Star Cloud Press,6137 E Mescal St., Scottsdale, AZ 85254, © 2009, Paperback, ISBN 978-1-932842-34-0

Volk, Lowell F., The Taylors’ Civil War, Dorrance Publishing Co., 701Smithfiled St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, © 2009, Paperback, ISBN 978-1-4349-0243-6

Slavery and Its Upholders

The Chicago Times seems to be the guide of a number of small-fry Democratic papers in this latitude, who humbly, but with exceeding zeal endeavor to closely follow the heels of its course, as possibly leading to some way of political salvation. The Times has lately been terribly disturbed about abolitionists. According to it, the real and absolutely only enemies of the Union worthy of fear or everlasting condemnation, are “abolitionists.” They brought about this war; they are in the way of peace; they are fighting not for the Union, but to crush slavery; they, in fact are at the top and bottom, the middle and outside, of this civil war. The only true patriots are those poor, miserable, doughface offscourings of Northern politics, who for years and years having “eat dirt” at the feet of the South, cringing white slaves of masters who kicked them from post to pillar, cannot even now so far overcome old servile instincts and habits as to cease to be the apologists and defenders of slavery. Preferring slavery to the Union, they are not “abolitionists,” therefore are the only immaculate patriots! This is just about what the Times has proclaimed the last two weeks in sum and substance.

The Times has a faithful reflector here. The Democrat has done nothing but mouth abolitionism since its leader gave the keynote. Before the last Presidential election everything with it was “abolition” which did not prostrate itself in the dust before the slave power. The whole republican party was abolition, and old Abe Lincoln was the most abolitionized abolitionist of all. It is at this time almost consistent with its past folly. All who will not now, like it, truckle to slavery, and beg that it may not in this war be hurt, or who will not directly or indirectly lend all their moral influences to saving slavery while saving the Union, if not putting slavery above the Union, are abolitionists. To desire and demand that all rebel property shall be confiscated, even though part of that “property” be slaves, is abolitionism. To feel and to say that the Government shall use all its power to crush this rebellion at once and forever, without considering whether in doing this slavery shall be hurt, or caring for the possibility that it may really be destroyed in the conflict, is very rank abolitionism. According to the “reasoning” and epithets of the Democrat, all Northern men are abolitionists, except a faction of slavery sympathizers, who if they do not love slavery more than the Union, at least love the Union so little that for its very salvation slavery must not be disturbed. These men, or doughfaces, are the ones who blame abolitionists for this rebellion and civil war. They have not a word of rebuke for traitors in arms against the government, but volumes of anathemas for abolitionists. In fact, with them, a traitor, is a gentleman and a Christian by the side of an abolitionist.

Now this twaddle of the Times and Democrat, about abolitionism is slightly disgusting, and very nonsensical. The most absurd thing in the whole connection, however, is the fact of these Democratic editors backing up Mr. Lincoln, as a President who is endeavoring to protect slavery in this struggle! Fortunately for Mr. Lincoln’s reputation as a man and as a statesman, fortunately for the country, and most fortunately for the lovers of slavery, the President is most basely maligned by the support of such fellows as these. He has done nothing and said nothing to merit their support, so far as the world knows. He is evidently trying to save the Union, without caring what becomes of slavery. He is known to be in favor of confiscating all rebel property. He is in fact what these editors call us and other true Northern patriots. If we are abolitionists, so is he. No baser, meaner, or more malicious outrage has been attempted against the reputation and usefulness of President Lincoln, than the professes support of such traitor-at-heart editors, who profess to be upholding him against the machinations of abolitionists. The same party that placed Mr. Lincoln in power still stands by him. All the patriotism left in the party that approved his election is now sustaining him, not as a Republican or partisan, but as our patriotic President. Those who sustain him now from some fancied newly awakened friendliness of his to slavery, are not representatives of any portion of the patriotism of the people, or of any party. They are either grossly deceived as to the President’s feelings, or they are attempting to shamelessly deceive the people.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 2

Some of the papers sneeringly allude to Mrs. Lincoln’s . . .

. . . late brilliant levee at the White House as a “dancing party.” We learn that by the special request of the President, there was no dancing allowed on that occasion, and has not been on any occasion at the President’s house.

“There is a time to dance,” but in the residence of the President of a distracted and imperiled nation, that time is not now, nor that the place.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 2

Train On The Federal Army

The Society of Congers ins one of the most ancient of the London Discussion Halls – having been established in the reign of the third George. It originally consisted of citizens of London, who met to watch the course of their representatives in London – Freedom of the Press – Freedom of Discussion – Obedience to the Laws – Loyalty to the Crown, and the Practice of Public and Social Virtue are some of its tenets. Among its early members were the Aldermen John Wilks (1756,) Sir Richard Glynn (1793,) Sir James Shaw (1813,) Sir W. Paking (1819,) and many of England’s leaders. Here Brougham and Campbell measured intellect – and both Houses have among them men who have debated her in other days.

Mr. Train, on entering the Debating Hall on the 22d ult. for the first time, was it once recognized and loudly called for – the events of the week being the theme for discussion. The audience was so pleased with his rattling digest of the late American victories, and his former able efforts, that they rose by acclamation, and there and then elected him an honorary member of the Ancient Society of Cogers.

Below, we give Mr. Train’s remarks on the American Army on this occasion:

The gentleman made me a happy hit, by calling this audience – a republic of free men – where free thought and free debate, and free opinion ruled supreme. I accept the Republican simile – and should hope that among its citizens there are none who would commit so base an act under the garb of loyalty to the Queen, as to breed treason against the Government, and seek with bloodshed its overthrow, as some other bad citizens have done in that great Republic over the way. [Hear, and applause.] Mr. O’Brien does not believe in the honesty of our president on the slave question; I am not surprised – for that there is a large party in the land who wo’d not believe any good of America or Americans, even though the Angel Gabriel whispered it in their ears. [Laughter.] The more we try to please you, the less we appear to succeed. But what can we expect when the Saturday Review lands Burnside’s naval expedition in the mountains of Western Virginia – [laughter] – and the Times makes the Confederate army march from Richmond to Bunker’s Hill in one night! – [Laughter.] Older than ourselves we have taken your advice – Dr. Russell gave you the text to ridicule and laugh at our raw recruits – as Sotheron says in Lord Dundreary – he seems to have been as mad on the American question as a Welsh wabbit. [Laughter.] You took it up and told us, that to make soldiers out of farmers, and tradesmen, and mechanics, and fishermen, there must be hard drilling. We accepted your counsel, Europe poured in upon us hundreds of her best artillery, cavalry and infantry officers, who bursting with the love of liberty, were anxious to give Union battle; look at McClellan’s staff, composed of brave generals, bold princes and future kings, who already have cried A BOURBON! A HAVELOCK! And let slip a hundred regiments, to sweep the madman from his throne. [Applause.] By this time there is not even one Richmond in the field. Drill, you said; we have drilled.

Why do you wait so long then? You asked. – We are drilling we replied. And now point you to a million of drilled men that cover a battle line of two hundred thousand miles. – Your mob, again you said, your mob never will give up Mason and Slidell. The mob did give up the traitors, and furthermore received the British officers at Boston, who were sent to wage war against us, with almost a royal welcome! [Applause.] You said you had no money and we will not lend you a shilling. Gentlemen, we never asked you for a shilling. [Hear, hear.] And as I observed on a previous occasion, the only real cause we have yet given you for breaking the blockade was the taking up of the entire Federal loan in our own land, without even consulting Mr. Sampson of the Times, Baron Rothschild, the London Stock Exchange.

You said it was impossible to blockade our ports. Gentlemen there never was a blockade so effectual, because there never was war so extensive, or people so determined, or administration so strong! There is no cathartic sufficiently powerful to remove the stones from the ruined harbor of Charleston, until the Federal Power chooses to exercise its clemency again. The Times Russell now admits the power of our navy, which you have ridiculed, and thinks, where 2,000,000 of bales of cotton are locked up, which, if let loose, would command three prices, and where all the simple necessaries of life are 150 per cent above the market, the blockade must be effectual. Foster’s scorching rebuke to Gregory in the Commons, has made more ridiculous than ever the Irish Champion of Treason. You said that the North and South would never come together! Wait a little longer! You said Republican Institutions had failed! Already the passport system is abolished, the political prisoners have been released, martial law superseded by the Civil Government, and the placid Ocean of Peace is gradually replacing the turbulent Waves of War, so that when the sunlight of Union Shines upon it, there will be reflected back from the glassy mirror myriads of faces from a happy, contented people. [Applause]

You never will know the herculean energies we have displayed. Let me paint the picture my own way. We have nine armies under nine Generals, composing a force equal to nine Waterloos, a dozen Austerlitzes, two Moscows, and larger than all the forces of all the nations that battle at Crimea. [Oh.] To give you the idea of its magnitude, I will change the battle ground.

Old England shall represent New England; and all Europe shall be the field of action. – Time of preparation, six months; resources, all our own. With the sympathies of England and the world against us; we have placed 20,000 men under General Butler, at Cronstad; 20,000 under General Sherman, at Hamburg; 30,000 under General Burnside, at Amsterdam, 20,000 under General Halleck, at Odessa; 20,000 under General Hunter, blockading Vienna on the Danube; 40,000 under General Buell, at Trieste; 80,000 under General Grant at Marseilles; 60,000 under General Banks, on the Belgian cost; leaving some 300,000 under General McClellan, on the French shore, after crossing the Potomac of the Channel. [Here, here.] The distances in my picture are not so unequal, although populations, fortresses and languages are different. Remember that England is the point from which I take my sketch. Australia is the California, with another Union army on the Pacific shore. All those points protracted, we have England still to represent the great Union party in our Northern country with five millions more of armed men, ready to plunge into battle in defense of the nations life. [Loud cheers.]

In America, as in England, there is an uncoiled spring of magnetic intelligence, that when set in motion could only be surpassed in grandeur by the artillery batteries of Heaven! [Applause.] The next mail will bring you startling intelligence. Let me foreshadow the plan of action – the battles are already fought – if reverses were possible in one point, victory triumphs in another. The Georgians lost their mail arrangements some time ago, and now they have had their water-works cut off. [Loud laughter.] Gentlemen, it is no laughing matter, were you citizens of Savannah, to be shut off from all communication from your fellow men, [renewed laughter] who have already so vividly pictured by Arrowsmith, the reliable correspondent of the London times of “Railways and Revolvers in Georgia.” [Laughter and applause.]

Savannah is down, Charleston is taken Mobile occupied by Unionists, New Orleans besieged and Memphis occupied! Two weeks after the fall of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, the occupation of Clarksville and Nashville, the evacuation of Columbus that Mantua of the West [cheers] and Norfolk under the stars and stripes! Beauregard, the hero of fortifications, has become the hero of evacuations; Pillow keeps up his reputation by cutting his way through the forest, at the first smell of blood [laughter] while the battle of Floyd’s Run [laughter] shall be commemorated as the Leipsic of the Confederate history. The Confederates are howling at England, calling the Minister all kinds of names, plying the Rogue’s march, singing A Perfide Albion in the dim twilight of their conspiracy, gnashing their teeth with hate and rage, in vain endeavors to cover up their ignominy and their shame.

A voice: “Where is the Sumter?” Cries of “Order! Put him out!”

The Sumter, sir, which comprises one half the Confederate navy [laughter] is corked up at Gibraltar with deserted crew watched by Tuscarora, and out of the reach of again being ordered away by your foreign office. – The Sumter can no more burn innocent merchantmen, and rob peaceful traitors two of her officers are already on their way to the American coast in a Federal war ship to receive the just punishment of an outraged power – another part of the pirate navy has just arrived at Wilmington, by express order of the Confederate Cabinet, who have their trunks all packed, and have stolen all the money they could lay their hands on preparatory to taking their chances of escaping in the Nashville from the doom that awaits them. [Cheers.]

The order to burn the cotton and tobacco, is under the mistaken idea that it would involve England in the common ruin with themselves. Bear in mind, gentlemen that this cotton and tobacco is solemnly pledged for the redemption of the Confederate paper and the Confederate loan, and now the Confederate Cabinet have got all the money they can sponge out of their deceived subjects, they solemnly order them to destroy the securities on which the loan was paid. [Hear, hear.] And all this to deceive England, or rather frighten England by a threat, the very last thing of all others – so history states – that would bring this remarkable people to book.

You should know that the crops destroyed and the cities burned are not by their owners, but by their miserable riff raff, who have nothing to lose – a riff raff as one speaker beautifully remarked who represent the dead [level] of humanity, standing on the zero of civilization, or wallowing in the mire of their own beastly sensuality, instead of floating on the wings of a virtuous imagination, or posed on the pinions of patriotic intelligence. [Cheers.]

General Banks movement on Winchester is only a feint to allow McClellan to push on to Fredericksburg, and the nature of a contest that a mail or two will announce may be estimated by the Commander-in-Chief having ordered fifteen thousand ambulances to bear away the wounded! [Sensation!] Verily, it is a terrible necessity; but the spring has arrived – the month and the hour that calls loudly for victory, two thousand years hence the Ides of March will be associated with the history of the Potomac. The beautiful lines of Bayard Taylor are in my memory:

“Then down the long Potomac’s line,
Shout like a storm one bills of pine.
Till ramrods ring and bayonets shine!
Advance! The chieftain’s call is mine.
MARCH! [Loud cheers and applause.]

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday , May 3, 1862, p. 2

Operations At Yorktown

YORKTOWN SHELLED BY THE TOBAGO.

About noon on the 21st the gunboat Tobago ran up to within three miles of Yorktown and opened fire on the town with one of her 100 pound 8 inch Parrott guns. We were sitting upon the river bank, about a mile and a half this side of Yorktown, and could see every shot fired by her, and the replies. The first fell short and exploded in the air; the next two fell in the water near Yorktown; the fourth exploded right over the flag staff in Yorktown, and was a splendid shot, considering there was a hazy mist all around, making it very difficult for them to see such a distance; the next went over their fort and exploded in their barracks. Immediately there was a hurrying to and fro, their long gun was [run] out, a flash was seen, a pillar of spoke arose, and whiz went a shell within half a mile of the Tobago. It was a good line shot. There was a pause here for a few minutes, when both fired at once. Secesh again made a miss of it, and our shell exploded right over their water battery.

The gunboat now ran down to the mouth of the York River, and turning round came up and running half a mile nearer than before fired again. Her first shell exploded with a loud noise in front of their land battery; and the next two fell short; the next fell within fifty feet of the water battery; the next two exploded on shore near their fort; two then exploded over their water battery, which is bomb proof. All the [illegible] rebels were now lying in their rat holes and disdained to reply, and the fog growing so thick that Yorktown was rapidly being enveloped and the tide running out rapidly, the gunboat ran back to the mouth of the river.


CAPTURING A GUN.
There is an old chap in the Berdan Sharpshooters known as “Old Seth.” He is quite a character, and a crack shot – one of the best in the regiment. His “instrument” as he terms it, is one of the heaviest telescopic rifles. The other night, at roll call, “Old Seth” was non ex. This was somewhat unusual, as the old chap was always up to time. A sergeant went out to hunt him up, he being somewhat fearful that the old man had been hit. After perambulating around in the advance of the picket line he heard a low “hallo.” “Who’s there?” inquired the Sergeant. “It’s me,” responded Seth; “and I’ve captured a secesh gun.” “Bring it in,” said the Sergeant. “Can’t do it” exclaimed Seth.

It soon became apparent to the sergeant that “Old Seth” had the exact range of one of the enemy’s heaviest guns, and they could not load it for being picked off by him. Again the old man shouted – “Fetch me a couple of haversacks full of grub, as this is my gun, and the cussed varmints shan’t fire it again while the scrimmage lasts. This was done, and the old patriot has kept a good watch over that gun. In fact it is a “captured gun.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday , May 3, 1862, p. 2

Jesse B. Penniman

Jesse B. Penniman was the First Sergeant Major of the Regiment. He will be remembered as a blonde youth, tall, active, and a ready soldier. He was made Second-Lieutenant of Company A, and was killed in action at Shiloh on April 6, 1862. He was not mustered into the grade in which he served. But he was the first officer to fall in action, in this Regiment, and he fell in its first fight in the front.

SOURCE: William W. Belknap, History of the Fifteenth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 45

A Bold Yankee

A man in Federal uniform rode into Fayetteville, Tenn., on Sunday last, conversed freely with the citizens, said he belonged to an Ohio regiment, allowed a citizen, who asked permission to examine his gun, removing the cap before handing it to him, dined at a tavern with his gun on his lap at the table, had his horse fed and left. The citizens thought him one of Morgan’s men, notwithstanding his representation. A short time after, however, they were undeceived. Coming 4 or 5 miles on the road to Huntsville, he overtook and old white man with four negroes and three wagons of bacon, he forced them to drive their wagons close together, put fodder under them, take out the mules and retire a few steps. Then, lighting a match he set fire to the wagons, consumed them and their contents. Riding to a church a few miles distant, where preaching was going on, he asked the minister if any soldiers were there, and saying if there were, he wanted them. Receiving a negative answer, he rode away, and crossed the road, ten miles this side of Fayetteville, with two other Federals. That is the last we have heard of them. The owner of the bacon and wagons returned to Fayetteville with his negroes and mules and reported his misfortune. Several men went in pursuit of the bold marauders, but failed to find them. – Huntsville Democrat, 9th

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

The Gallant Iowans

Iowa is a young State, but it is the home of heroes. With the present war she has begun a war history that yields in splendor and honor to that of no State in the Union, and no country on the globe. Her soil is the birthplace of a new chivalry, and she has become the mother of a new race of heroes. Her soldiers boast little and she has no industrious penny-a-liner to boast for them. Her soldiers are as modest as they are brave. They are not fierce braggarts. They are as gentle and tractable as children.

But when the storm of blood begins they are the guiding and governing heroes of the tempest. Where the harvest of death is to be reaped, they are the foremost of the reapers. Where a perilous assault is to be made, somehow or other there is always an Iowa regiment, or the wasted shadow of and Iowa regiment, to lead it. It was so at Wilson’s Creek; it was so at Belmont, it was so at Fort Donelson, it was so at Shiloh; it will ever be so throughout the war.

All our Western troops have been heroes, but the Iowa troops have been heroes among heroes. The “Iowa First,” “Iowa Second,” “Iowa Fourth” and “Iowa Seventh,” are bodies of men who would have given an additional luster even to Thermopylae, Marathon, Austerlitz or Wagram, and all Americans may be proud of Iowa. – St. Louis News

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

Judge McFarland of Boonesboro, is dead.

His death occurred a few days since at his residence in Boone county. During the earlier history of central Iowa, he was Judge of the Judicial District. Naturally, Judge McFarland was a man of bright intellect and of [a] social generous disposition. He had the capacity to fill exalted positions with honor to himself, and with benefit to his constituents. But he unfortunately darkened every prospect of usefulness, through intemperance. He died the victim of the firey cup. Aside from the fatal habit which [culminated] in delirium [transe] and death, Judge McFarland had the redeeming excellencies of a kind heart and generous sympathies. Let his virtues be remembered and let his frailties be forgotten. – Des Moines Register.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

Died

In this city on Sunday the 27th inst., JENNIE, daughter of Wallace W. and Kate Hovey, aged 3 years.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

The city of Philadelphia . . .

. . . being short of money the Pennsylvania Central Railroad ahs advanced $100,000 expressly to pay the school teachers.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

William W. Estabrook

William W. Estabrook was the First Chaplain of the Regiment. He was an Episcopal Clergyman of character and education, who had left the profession of Medicine to become "a soldier in the Army of the Lord."

As the Regiment's first experience was at Shiloh, the services of the Chaplain were not more needed than were those of the medical officers who could be found. Doctor Estabrook was equal to the occasion. He prayed with the dying, he administered to the care of the wounded, and his medical knowledge made him most useful in those trying hours. In the active life of Regimental duty there were not opportunities for the performance of Chaplain's duties with the regularity of Sunday service at home. But the Chaplain was a man of sense; he devoted his time to the sick and suffering, and ministered to their physical as well as spiritual cares, and tied to him forever the men of the Regiment. They remember him as a benefactor and friend. On April 2, 1863, he resigned, and was on May 25, 1864, appointed Surgeon of the 45th Iowa Infantry. He now resides in Chicago, and as a physician has an increasing practice there.

Ensign H. King was the Second and last Chaplain. His history is given above.

SOURCE: William W. Belknap, History of the Fifteenth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 44

Rebel views – A Correspondent’s Experience in Secessia – The Field Just After the Battle, Etc.

The correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer, who was taken prisoner by the rebels while with Gen. Prentiss’ division at Pittsburg early Sunday morning, furnishes that paper with some interesting incidents of the conflict which have not been anticipated in other reports. On [Sunday] night the rebels who occupied our camps were very jolly, and confident of satisfactorily finishing up their work on the following day. Trunks and boxes were broken open and their contents greedily appropriated. Gen. Prentiss and most of the prisoners captured on Sunday were hurriedly disarmed and started for Corinth. Some surgeons and hospital stewards, with the wounded and disabled were left behind. On Monday about 2 P.M., orders were given to remove these remaining prisoners to Corinth, but the flight of the rebels soon became so precipitate that the prisoners’ guard, at first consisting of one hundred men, dwindled down in fifteen minutes’ time to about fifty, and these last not long after began to be more concerned for their own safety than for that of their charges as a natural consequence, several of the captives, among them the writer, effected their escape. He continues:

The last determined stand had been made where I now stood in a dense cover of blackjack bushes. At this time occurred the deadly contest which took place between several Alabama regiments and a number of our own, from the different States, and which ended the fight on Monday. These Alabamians were mostly armed with flintlock muskets, undoubtedly those stolen by Floyd, some hundreds of which were here returned to the Federal Government in a significant manner.

The bushy cover had not saved them from almost utter annihilation. Pressed on the left by our forces in the road, and partially flanked on the right by our artillery, the destruction of these butternut jean-clothed rebels was beyond the power of pen to describe.

It seemed as if becoming bewildered, they had endeavored to retreat several times, but each time encountered our men at an opening in a small clover field of one or two acres where they were actually piled up along the fence, quite a number settling down between the stakes, and remaining there in death, while others, their legs and feet becoming entangled in the rails, died so suddenly that they hung in various positions, as if in the act of climbing over the fence.

Although the fight as this place was brief, the loss of life on the part of the enemy was greater than at any part of the whole battleground, including a space of four miles front by one and a half broad. I concluded to make an estimate of the number killed just about this vicinity, and set about counting them up, until my number of dead men, clothed in rebel attire, reached four hundred and twenty-six, while those in the Union uniform were eighty-nine.

I found no other locality, however, where this great disparity between the Union and rebel killed existed. It is just to say, and there are those who accompanied me on the battlefield the subsequent day prepared to assert the same, that the killed of the enemy are one third greater than ours, while our wounded perhaps somewhat exceed theirs. A rigid scrutiny enables me to speak positively on this topic. They labored diligently all day Sunday, through the night, and again until the retreat, carrying away their wounded and most prominent dead, such as it was possible for them to possess themselves of, thereby compelling those who were wounded in the retreat to become our prisoners. The number captured in this way was perhaps about five hundred.


SHILO [sic] FIELD AN HOUR AFTER THE BATTLE.

It was curious to see the strategy resorted to by some of the wounded rebels or their friends. While surveying the killed and wounded in a thickly wooded locality, but where trunks of large trees lay about in a half rotten state, I stepped upon one to look about the ground and hearing something move at my feet, looked down upon what was evidently the figure of a man, covered up by a blanket, and lying close up alongside the log. The ground was thickly strewn about him with bodies, many of whom I found only to be wounded. Lifting the blanket from the wounded man’s face, as I dismounted from the log, he immediately faltered out, “Oh, sir, I’m wounded; don’t hurt me my leg is broken and I’m so cold and wet.”

Within three feet of this wounded Secessionist lay a dead Unionist, with his hair and whiskers burned off. Just at this period two or three of our men came up, and observing the horrid spectacle of their dead brother in arms, with his hair, whiskers and clothes so burned, addressed the wounded man referred to in violent terms, accusing them of aiding in setting fire to their comrades. For a moment I felt apprehensive that they might retaliate, but upon his assuring them that many on both sides were burned in a similar manner, quiet was soon restored. I soon learned that the leaves and dead undergrowth had been fired in various places by the explosion of shells, and also by burning wads, the fire communicating to the bodies and burning them shockingly. – Some of the wounded must have been burned to death, as I observed on or two lying upon their backs, with their hands crossed before their faces, as a person naturally does when smoke or heat becomes annoying.

Replacing the blanket over the face of the wounded man, I proceeded to step over another log near by, and was considerably startled by a loud exclamation of pain from another wounded rebel. Having stepped on a small stick that hurt a wounded limb of his by its sudden movement, he was compelled to cry out. He, too, was snugly laid up on ordinary, close alongside a fallen tree. His wound was serious and the poor man begged for some assistance. The only thing that I could do was to get him a little water, and promise that somebody would soon come to his relief. I do not think he received any however, before the following day, as it was more than we could do to attend to our own suffering men, night being near. – “What will you do with us?” said the wounded man to me. “Take you, dress your wounds, give you plenty to eat, and in all probability, when you are able, require you to take the oath of allegiance, and then send you home to your family, if you have one.”

“Oh, God!” replied the suffering man; “I have a family, sir, and that just what my old woman told me. She said if the Northern men was so ugly and bad as our Generals says, they must ha’ changed a heap.” Occasionally there was a pause, accompanied by a distorted countenance that showed the painful character of his wound. “Stranger,” continued the prostrate man, “I’ve got six little boys at home, and the biggest just goes of errands. I live on the ____ river in Alabama, (the name sounded so peculiar that I was not able to recollect it;) ‘taint further than that cottonwood from the bank, where my house stands.” “What has your wife to maintain the family with, or does the State help them?” said I. “Oh, she’s shifty, my wife is, stranger – she’s mighty shifty; she’s a Northern born woman, and her father lives in Wisconsin now. I never was North before; I married my wife in Alabama.”

I was obliged to leave this man, who possessed an undercurrent of nobility, although his superficial knowledge had allowed him to follow the fortunes of base leaders. He persisted in saying, as I left him, that he was certain he never had killed a man.


THE STUDY OF ATTITUDES.

Perhaps a finer opportunity has not for many generations occurred than that after the battle for the study of attitudes. There was the old man, his locks sprinkled with gray, kneeling besides a stump, as if in the attitude of prayer his face now resting in his hands and head inclining on the top, apparently having gone to sleep in death while in the act of devotion. A ghastly wound in the side told of his end.

Another powerful-looking man had just placed a cartridge in the muzzle of his gun, and had the ramrod in his right hand, as if about to ram it down. Death caught him in the moment, and as he lay with upturned face the right hand clenched the gun, and left the ramrod. There are many instances similar to this last. One soldier had loaded his piece and paused to take a chew of tobacco. Beside his body lay the gun, and in his right hand was a flat plug of tobacco, bearing the imprint of his teeth.

In one place lay nine men, four or five of ours and about as many rebels, who, from indications must have had a hand to hand fight. They were dead and bore wounds made evidently with bayonets and bullets. Two had hold of another’s hair, and others were clenched in a variety of ways. One seemed to have had a grip in the throat of his antagonist, and been compelled to relinquish it, judging from the frigid marks. The most singular attitude of any that I ever observed, was that of a Union soldier, the position of whose body was similar to that of a boy’s when he is playing at leap-frog.

Some had lain down quietly with their heads resting against a stump or a tree, their caps resting on their faces, and had thus died alone and unattended. Yet the calmness and repose of the countenance, as one raised the covering indicated a peaceful departure to the spirit world. Death caused by a bullet leaves a quiet calm look behind, while a bursting shell, bayonet or sword carry with them a horror that remains depicted in death.

It was an excellent time to choose a gun. – All the different patterns, I think, must have been there, and in such large variety that an Arab even could have found his chosen Algerine rifle. There were the Harper’s Ferry rifles, old and new pattern; Springfield rifles, with the Maynard primers and without; the “Tower” Enfield rifles, Mississippi rifles, double and single barrel shot-guns, rifles bearing the Palmetto stamp, and made at Columbia, South Carolina, and Fayetteville, North Carolina; swords of various kinds, reeking with blood; broken and bent scabbards, partially discharged revolvers, and military trappings in such endless variety that to have possessed them would have been the fortune of any individual.

In the cleared field fronting the peach orchard; before referred to, a variety of bullets might have been gathered – and even the following day – as they were lying about on the ground like fruit form a heavily-laden tree after a storm.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

Border State Sentiment

The following, from the Louisville Democrat, contains a stinging rebuke to those Northern Democrats who advocate leniency to treason through deference to the sentiment of the Border States. The truth is that really loyal men in those States desire to see operations against the rebels prosecuted vigorously.

It is time reasonable men, and even those not so reasonable, who expect to live in this Commonwealth, should reflect that the law ought to be supreme in Kentucky. We have forborne a great deal; we have given to treason a free run, as long as this rebellion approached revolution; but the fate of it is now sealed; it must die. It is not possible to divide this country by sword. We have therefore, had enough of the experiment, and those who burn houses, burn bridges, appropriate the [property] of others, and shoot or kill should not be held prisoners of war, but robbers and murderers, to answer for their crimes in the State prison or upon the gallows.

It will be seen that a gang of marauders have been in Clinton county, robbing and killing, and these infernal crimes are sanctified in the minds of many who enjoy the protection of Kentucky’s laws by the prejudice of party.

They are, in fact, only common robbers and cut throats, and should be treated as they are.

Right or wrong, we have allowed the assumption that these men were acting under the orders of a Government de facto, and their deeds have not been judged with that severity that all laws, human and divine, sanction. This de facto concern is a failure everywhere, and never had more than a shadow of existence in this State. It is, therefore, time this lawlessness in Kentucky were no longer tolerated. It is time robbery and murder were called by their right names, and punished as they deserve at all times.

It is just as well, too, that men should reflect whether that freedom of speech which rejoices in this rebellion had not as well be voluntarily dropped before it is forcibly suppressed. We can’t afford to live any longer in the midst of lawlessness, robbery and murder, under the pretext of Southern rights or any other sort of rights. Certainly it cannot be expected that this forbearance shall last always. There is a law of this State that consigns to the State Prison any one who left the State to take up arms against it. We had hopes that this law might be repealed, upon the ground that such offenses would cease and be atoned for by repentance. We apprehend it will be necessary for the peace of the State, to enforce this law.

At the same time, those who went into the Confederate army as soldiers are not more guilty than thousands at home, who have done by words much more against their country and their State than soldiers in arms.

We repeat, that it is time all aid and comfort to this rebellion, either in words or deeds, should stop in this State. We can’t afford to tolerate this lawlessness and these enormous crimes to accommodate a faction.

Those who are not willing to obey the laws of Kentucky, and who would foment disorder, or aid or sympathize with rebellion should not complain if they suffer the consequences.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 2

The War News

A Battle In Progress At Roanoke Island.

REBEL GUNBOATS SUNK.

Gen. Stone sent to Fort Lafayette.

$100,000,000 Treasury Note Bill Passed.

ARRIVAL OF THE AMERICA.

The Pirate Sumter still Roaming.

SEC’Y STANTON THANKS GEN. HALLECK.

Doings about Fort Henry.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 1

Meteorological Observations

(Under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution)

Made at Griswold College, Davenport
BY WM. P. DUNWOODY.

Latitude 41.30. North – Longitude 13.30. west – Height above the sea, 737 feet.

Mean height of Barometer, 29.35 inches; mean Temperature, 11 degrees; mean amount of clouds 5; general direction of winds, N. W.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 1

Mississippi Railroad Bridge Report

FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEB. 8, 1862.

The number of footmen that crossed the bridge during the week was 223.

J. H. THORINGTON, Bridge Master.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 1

William H. Gibbon

William H. Gibbon, who was the First Assistant Surgeon, and became Surgeon on the resignation of Doctor Davis. Surgeon Gibbon was a man of accomplished education, delightful manners, and courteous demeanor, faithful to duty and energetic on all occasions.

His success as a Surgeon and Physician showed that he was thoroughly "up" in the acquirements of his profession. Early and late, in field and fight, in camp or hospital, his genial manners made the sick feel better, and his complete knowledge of his work gave confidence and hope to the wounded and desponding soldier. He was mustered out on December 22, 1864, and no man ever left the Regiment more beloved and more regretted. The brevet which he received from the President as Lieutenant-Colonel of Volunteers, on March 13, 1865, was but a slight recognition of his services. But no title which could be given him could equal the reward which he had won.

His name is a cherished one in every home where lives a soldier of the l5th Iowa. He resides in Chariton, Iowa, where he practices his profession in honor and prosperity.

SOURCE: William W. Belknap, History of the Fifteenth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 43-4

17th Illinois Infantry

Organized at Peoria, Ill., and mustered in May 24, 1861. Moved to Alton, Ill., June 17, 1861, thence to St. Charles and Warrenton, Mo., July 27. Moved to Bird's Point, Mo., August. Duty there, at Fort Holt, Ky., and Cape Girardeau, Mo., till February, 1862. Attached to District of Cairo to October, 1861. 5th Brigade, District of Cairo, to February, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, District of Cairo, February, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, District of West Tennessee, and Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, District of Jackson, Tenn., to September, 1862. Unattached, District of Jackson, Tenn., to November, 1862. 4th Brigade, 3rd Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, November, 1862. 1st Brigade, 6th Division, 16th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, 6th Division, 17th Army Corps, to July, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Army Corps, to April, 1864. Maltby's Brigade, District of Vicksburg, Miss., to June, 1864.

SERVICE.--Operations about Ironton and Fredericktown, Mo., against Thompson's forces October 12-25, 1861. Action at Fredericktown October 21. Expedition to Benton, Bloomfield and Dallas January 15-17, 1862. Operations against Fort Henry, Tenn., February 2-6. Investment and capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 12-16. Moved to Savannah, thence to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 5-25. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. March to Jackson June 5-8, and duty there till July 17. At Bolivar, Tenn., till November. Expedition to Iuka September 15-22. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November, 1862, to January, 1863. Reconnoissance from Lagrange November 8-9, 1862. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., January 12, 1863, thence to Lake Providence, La., January 17-24. Action at Richmond, La., January 29-30. Old River, Lake Providence, February 10. Moved to Milliken's Bend April 12. Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Battles of Thompson's Hill, Port Gibson, May 1. Bayou Pierrie May 2. Raymond May 12. Jackson, Miss., May 14. Champion's Hill May 16. Big Black River May 17. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4. Garrison duty at Vicksburg till May, 1864. Expedition to Monroe, La., August 20-September 2, 1863. Expedition to Canton October 14-20. Bogue Chitto Creek October 17. Expedition from Vicksburg to Sunnyside Landing, Ark., January 10-16, 1864. Meridian Campaign February 3-March 2, 1864. Clinton February 5. Mustered out June 4, 1864, expiration of term. Veterans and Recruits transferred to 8th Illinois Infantry.

Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 71 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 71 Enlisted men by disease. Total 146.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium Of The War Of The Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1052

Samuel B. Davis

Samuel B. Davis was the First Surgeon. He took high position and his ability was- promptly recognized by his professional associates. He was early detached as Medical Director of the Brigade and Division, and was appointed Surgeon of Volunteers on February 19, 1863, and was honorably mustered out on October 17, 1865.

He resigned from the Regiment on March 1, 1863. He afterward resided in New Mexico and died there.

SOURCE: William W. Belknap, History of the Fifteenth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 43