Rufus H. Eldredge

Rufus H. Eldredge, the First Quarter-Master Sergeant of the Regiment, was afterward the First Lieutenant of Company K. He fell in action in the advance of his Company, at Corinth, in the presence of the writer of this. In all work he was prompt and faithful, and his bearing in battle could not be surpassed.

SOURCE: William W. Belknap, History of the Fifteenth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 46

Sunday Battles

The Parish Visitor records the fact, that, in every modern battle which has been fought on Sunday, the attacking party has not only been defeated by generally disgracefully routed and panic stricken, without any apparent cause. The following are instances: Perry’s victory on Lake Erie, McDonough’s victory on Lake Champlain, the battle of New Orleans, the Battle of Waterloo, the battle of Bull Run, and the Battle of Mill Spring.

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

A Large Sugar Grower

Mr. James Mason of Farmington, has made fifty-two barrels of Illinois plantation syrup, or as generally termed sorghum, this year. He brought twenty-five barrels to this city yesterday to exchange for groceries, and found no difficulty in disposing of it on remunerative terms. The samples exhibited were of excellent quality, and to all appearances equal to golden syrup. – Peoria Transcript.

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

The Overland Mail – Indian Troubles

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 29. – The reported from St. Louis to-day, attributing the Overland Mail difficulties to the employees of the Company is entirely destitute of truth. Persons with whom we are personally acquainted have been in fights with Indians.

On the 17th Mr. Flowers, division agent, nine men, and two coaches with mails were attacked by Indians near Split Rock; six mail men were wounded and compelled to abandon the mails, coaches, and animals. The Indians afterwards burned Plant’s Station. The wounded party left Pacific Springs night before last.

The telegraph is open at Pacific Springs.

Another party had a fight with some Indians, and narrowly escaped; their animals were hit several times with arrows.

The station keeper at Green River was killed by Indians a few days since while endeavoring to protect mail property. Thus far Four employees of the Company have been killed; although a greater part of the stock is gone, employees remain.

A force is being raised in this city by Brigham Young, under authority of the President for the protection of the route.

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

Gen. V. P. Van Antwerp . . .

. . . arrived in our city yesterday en route for Leavenworth, to take the position of Adjutant General upon the staff of Gen. Lane. – Mo. Democrat, 7th.

Gen. Van Antwerp and Col. Merritt, to of Iowa’s most ultra pro-slavery Democrats, are on Jim Lane’s staff, and will assist him in carrying out his policy should his expedition go forward.

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

Engler, the Traitor

The Mo. Democrat thus alludes to Engler, who our readers will remember was exiled from St. Louis for his secession proclivities and resisting the order of Gen. Halleck to be assessed:

The exiled Engler is having a hard time in Cincinnati. The papers of that city beg Gen. Halleck to send no more of his kind over that way. The Gazette says he was inadvertently introduced at the Mercantile Library Association, whereupon a storm was raised among the members which was only prevented from growing into a regular tornado by the surrender of the complimentary ticket of admission.

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

James W. Henry

James W. Henry was the Fifth and last Sergeant Major. He was a thoroughly brave, active, and to some extent, reckless young man: that is, reckless in disregard of danger. He was captured at Atlanta July 22, 1864. No information has been received about his later life beyond the fact that he is dead. He was a singularly attractive young man in many ways; when there was work to be done he did it if he could, and there were no bullets coming to the front which he avoided. This tribute is gladly given to his memory.

SOURCE: William W. Belknap, History of the Fifteenth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 45-6

Indians for the Union

Commissioner Dole held an interview recently at Leavenworth with the chiefs of the Seminole, Creek, Iowa and Delaware tribes of Indians, in which they all agreed to fight for their Great Father if he wished their services. The conversation between Mr. Dole and the noble Opothleyholo [sic] was so characteristic of Indian eloquence, drawn as it is from similes, that we give a portion of it:

Mr. Dole – Government did not expect the Indians to enter this contest at all. – Now that the rebel portion of them have entered the field, the Great Father will march his troops into your country. Col. Coffin and the agent will go with you on Monday and will assist you in enlisting your loyal men. Your enlistment is not done for our advantage only; it will [inure] to your own benefit. The country appreciates your services. We honor you. You are in our hearts.

One party tells us that John Ross is for the Union, and one that he is not.

Opothleyoholo – Both are probably right. Ross made a sham treaty with Albert Pike to save trouble. Rose is like a man lying on his belly, watching the opportunity to turn over. When the Northern troops come within hearing he will turn over.

Dole – You did not, and our people remember you. But we hope you will manifest no revenge.

Opoth. – The rebel Indians are like a cross, bad slut. The best way to end the bred is to kill the slut.

Dole – The leaders and plotters of treason only should suffer.

Opoth. – That’s just what I think. Burn over a bad field of grass and it will spring up again. It must be torn up by the roots, even if some good blades suffer. The educated part of our tribes is the worst. I am glad General Lane is going down with us. He knows our wants. I hope the government money will be paid us.

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

Reminiscence of Belmont

Corporal Johnson who is here with his Panorama, was wounded in the retreat at the battle of Belmont. The wound paralyzed his right leg and he fell, some 20 yards form the spot were Captain Kittredge of Ottumwa was lying dangerously wounded. A rebel ruffian seeing the helpless condition of the Corporal, ran up and attempted to bayonet him. The Corporal caught the bayonet, and kept the fellow off until another rebel soldier came up, who interfered in favor of the Corporal, and denounced the ruffianism of his comrade. The Corporal expressed a desire to be taken from the field, as a charge toward the place where he was lying was expected from the rebel cavalry; but on recognizing his captain, he was in obedience to a request, conveyed to the place where that officer lay. There they lay until they were carried prisoners to Columbus.

While in the Hospital at Columbus, a subordinate rebel officer came to Captain Kittredge, and remarked tauntingly: I guess Sir, that you have found out that the Confederate troops can fight like devils. How is it that you Lincoln Abolitionists do not fight any better? Just at this moment a rebel Colonel overhearing the remark, stepped up to his subordinate, and taking him roughly by the collar, said indignantly: “No more of that, Sir. I desire you to understand that the wounded prisoners under my care, are not to be abused by you or any body else. The Federal troops do fight, and I am sorry to say that the Soldiers of the Iowa Seventh did fight like hell, Sir!” The reprimanded rebel walked off with a moderately large flea in his ear. – Des Moines Register.

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

Ex-Senator Weller Wants to be a Commodore

{From the Seneca (Ohio) Advertiser.}

While in Washington we heard a good story in regard to Uncle Abe and John B. Weller, “the Mexican killer.”

Weller was at Washington settling his accounts as Minister to Mexico. After their adjustment, he concluded to pay his respects to Mr. Lincoln, with whom he had served in Congress. He called at the Presidential mansion, and was courteously received.

“Mr. President,” said Colonel Weller, “I have called on you to say that I most heartily endorse the conservative position you have assumed, and will stand you so long as you prosecute the war for the preservation of the Union and the Constitution.”

“Colonel Weller,” said the President, “I am heartily gland to year you say this.”

“Yes Mr. President,” said Weller, I desire an appointment to aid in this work.”

“What do you want, Colonel?” asked Abraham.

“I desire to be appointed Commodore in the Navy,” said Weller.

The President replied:

“Colonel, I did not think you had any experience as a sailor.”

“I never had Mr. President,” said Weller; “but judging from the Brigadier-Generals you have appointed in Ohio, the less experience a man has, the higher position he attains.

Lincoln turned off, with a hearty laugh, and said – “I owe you one, Colonel.”

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

Pension of Harriette A. Woodruff, Mother of Eugene A. Woodruff

HARRIETTE A. WOODRUFF

April 11,1874.—Committed to a Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Rusk, from the Committee on Invalid Pensions, submitted the following

REPORT:
[To accompany bill H. R. 2899.]

The Committee on Invalid Pensions, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 2623) granting a pension to Harriette A. Woodruff, mother of Eugene A. Woodruff, late first lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers, having considered the same, make the following report:

It appears from the papers in this case, that Eugene A. Woodruff entered the service in 1861, as a member of Company E, Fifth Regiment Iowa Infantry, and after serving a few months was appointed a cadet at West Point. He graduated in 1866, with marked distinction, standing No. 5 in a large class, and at once entered the regular service. In 1873, while superintending the work assigned him on the Red River raft, it became necessary for him to visit Shreveport to procure needed supplies for his working-parties. On his arrival at Shreveport he found the city stricken by a sudden and terrible epidemic, before which all but the bravest fled, leaving the sick suffering and to be cared for by the few gallant souls who dared to face the plague. It was a position to call forth all the generous, self-sacrificing impulses of a Christian gentleman and a soldier, and nobly did Woodruff answer to the call. Joining the Howard Association, he took his part in bringing order out of chaos; in inspiring others with his own fearless spirit; working good both at the bedside of the sick and among those who could only be held in the path of duty and charity by a present bright example. After one week of devotion to the care of the plague-stricken, Woodruff was himself seized with the disease, and died from its effects September 30, 1873.

The petitioner claims pension on the ground of dependence, which is abundantly proven by properly-attested papers. The claim was rejected by the Commissioner of Pensions “because it was not shown that Lieutenant Woodruff was ordered to Shreveport to perform any duty, consequently the disease which caused his death was not considered to have been contracted in the line of duty.” Additional evidence on this point proves the contrary to be true. Charles W. Howell, captain in the Corps of Engineers, states under oath that he was well acquainted with Lieutenant Woodruff, and that it was by his order that said Woodruff was stationed at Shreveport, and that while at his post of duty, and in the discharge of duties devolving upon him by competent authority, was attacked by yellow fever, from the effects of which he died.

The committee believe the claim to be a just and proper one, and the mother entitled to pension, and therefore report favorably, and recommend the passage of the accompanying substitute for H. R. 2623.

SOURCE: Reports of the Committees of the House of Representatives for the First Session of the Forty-third Congress 1873-’74, Vol. 2, Report No. 410, p. 409-10

Iowa Items

Matthew Kearns, a boy some 13 years of age, while coasting at Wapello last week, was thrown from his sled and against a log with such force as to cause his death in a few hours.

A son of Mr. McMichael, of Page county, was killed a few days since by the horse he was riding falling off a bridge on to and crushing him.

We have mentioned the freezing to death of two young men, Daniel and Luke Imes, in Adair county. The body of the other young man has since been found. They were on a visit to their mother in Ringgold county.

Corporal Eugene Woodruff, of Company E, 5th Infantry, Iowa Volunteers, has been appointed through Col. Vandever, cadet at West Point. Mr. W. belongs to Buchanan county.

In 1861, Iowa had a wool clip of not less that 800,000 lbs. The amount of sorghum syrup manufactured during the same year was over 2,000,000 gallons. A million dollars have been saved the State in the production of Sorghum and Imphee.

The Ledger says that 65,000 gallons of sorghum have been manufactured during the season in Jefferson county.

Some contemptible land shark at Knoxville, the other day, attached money in the hands of the captain of the company, which was sent home by a poor soldier boy to his father. The attachment was levied to satisfy a claim on a note on which the boy’s father was security, the sharper thinking the boy was under age. So says the Republican, which justly adds: “Any man that will distress a soldier in these times of emergency would pick coppers from a dead negro’s eyes. Look out for such.”

Capt. J. S. Hunt, of Company G, 5th Regiment, from Benton county, as resigned his commission. He gives as a reason that he doubts the loyalty of the Colonel of the regiment, and wishes it distinctly understood that he will not serve under an officer whom he believes to be a rebel at heart. So says the Vinton Eagle.

Samuel O. M. Johnson, of Webster Co., and a member of Capt. Stratten’s company, from Fort Dodge, now encamped at Fortress Monroe, committed suicide on the night of the 13th ult., in a fit of insanity.

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

From California

SAN FRANCISCO, April 29. – Steamer Panama arrived from Mazatlan with dates to the 19th.

The Confederates in New Mexico and Arizona are making efforts to bring the Border States into [sympathy] with them. Gen. Sibley commanding the Confederate forces had sent Col. Reilly to open negotiations with the Governor of Sonora. Reilly tendered troops to enter Sonora and chastise Apache Indians, for whose Services he asked right of way, overland from Guyamas to Arizona, and also privilege of purchasing supplies at Mazatlan. The Governor entered into a long correspondence with Reilly and sent special messenger to the Governor of Cinaloa on the subject of his mission. No definite arrangements appeared to be agreed upon, but Reilly received courteous treatment from the government officials, and at last accounts he had arrived at Guayamas, where he boasted that he had been far more successful than he had hoped for.

Ship Joseph Peabody has been forfeited to the Government for smuggling.

Trade has recently revived to supply the demand for goods suitable to Oregon and British California miners, in advance of anticipated large emigration.

Business with the interior of the State continues unusually backward.

Gov. Wright has issued an order requiring the arrest of all persons charged with aiding and abetting, by words or deeds, the rebellion, such persons to be confined unless they subscribe to the oath of allegiance.

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

Amos D. Thatcher

Amos D. Thatcher was the Third Sergeant Major. In the battle of Corinth he acted, in the presence of the writer of this, with real bravery. Colonel Crocker, Brigade Commander, was near him, when a private of the Regiment took to his heels, and Thatcher went after him and brought him back. He may not remember this, but others do, and it will not be forgotten. He was promoted First Lieutenant, 8th Louisiana Volunteers, (colored ) June 5, 1863, and now lives in Kansas, at Topeka.

William C. Stidger was the Fourth Sergeant Major, and was promoted to Second Lieutenant of Company E. His history will be found above, among the Adjutants.

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

The “Democratic party,” a thing of the past . . .

. . . and not worth saving, is of greater importance in every respect, in the estimation of the editor of the Chicago Times, than is the Republic, a thing of the present and worth our best endeavors to save. – Chicago Journal.

We can say the same precisely of the editor of the Democrat in this city.

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

The typos of the 8th regiment . . .

. . . publish a paper called the The Eighth Iowa Grand Rounds.

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

Self-Immolation

Those pinks of creation, Howell Cobb, Robt. Toombs, M. J. Crawford and Thos. Cobb, of Georgia, have issued an address to the people of that State, telling them virtually that they cannot contend against the troops of the Government with any hopes of success, and giving them such precious advice as this: “Let every woman have a torch, every child a firebrand – let the loved homes of our youth be made ashes, and the fields of our heritage be made desolate.” This is to be done that the invaders may be driven out. And this by leaders who, a year ago, were depicting the glorious results which would follow a disruption of the Union, and the consequent perpetuation of power in the hands of those leaders; who infatuated their followers with the prospect of the spoils of Northern cities, in case the North dared resist the treason; and who inflated them with the notion that one “brave Southron” was equal to four or five sneaking “Yankees.” In one short year, they are compelled to confess their own impotence to fulfill a single one of all the promises they then made the deluded people of the south. We should think that people had had about enough of their advice, and such advice – nearly a million people to burn themselves out of house and home – an idea well worthy of the great mass of southern politicians.

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

Further from New Orleans

Severe Engagement at the Forts

HEAVY LOSS.

OCCUPATION OF NEW ORLEANS.


FORT PILLOW, April 28. – Despatches from the rebel lines bring the gratifying intelligence that New Orleans has surrendered to our forces under command of Commodore Porter, and that the city is now in quiet possession of Porter.

On Thursday last the Federal fleet passed Ft. Jackson after a desperate naval engagement in which one vessel was sunk and several badly damaged.

It is supposed the Federal loss is very heavy. The rebel loss is 60 killed and 184 wounded.

The engagement lasted part of two days.

The Federals took possession of New Orleans without a struggle on Friday. The rebel force evacuated destroying such steamers as they had no use for, and taking with them the greater amount of military stores on deposit in that city. There is supposed to be a large amount of cotton stored in New Orleans which will fall into our hands notwithstanding the rebel authorities attempted to destroy the entire stock.

The union citizens of New Orleans were very jubilant over the result of their long waiting.

The strength of Fort Pillow is stated by intelligent deserters at 8,000 under Gen. Villipigue, who has not been superceded [sic], as reported. They have seven batteries mounting an aggregate of 26 guns. Matters between our fleet and the fort were very quiet.

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

Alexander Brown

Alexander Brown was the Second Sergeant Major. He was a private of Company E; was wounded at Shiloh at the front; wounded at Corinth at the front; always behaved with great gallantry, and was discharged on February 5, 1863. He has filled positions of trust and honor since the war, and has behaved in civil life with the same true heroism which characterized him in action. He now resides at Keosauqua, Iowa.

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

Review: The Maps of Chickamauga

The Maps of Chickamauga
By David A Powell & David A. Friedrichs

My great great grandfather, Walter E. Partridge, received a wound on his forehead on September 20th, 1863. It was the second day of the Battle of Chickamauga and he was a private in Company F of the 36th Illinois Infantry, which was a part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. The 1st Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General William H. Lytle, was tramping up a hill which would later bare the name of its commander, when a limber from Battery C, 1st Illinois Artillery, while falling back, swung “round with almost lightning speed struck a dead tree, which caused the top to come off, coming down into Company F” of the 36th Illinois Infantry “and striking two men, one of whom was Oscar Hobbs, supposed to be killed, but was afterwards revived.” The other man, though unnamed is likely to be Walter E. Partridge.

I have referenced several books on the Battle of Chickamauga, trying to get a grasp on the situation my great great grandfather found himself in on that day. A true understanding of a battle can only be had by being able to visualize the battle, and most battle histories contain a sprinkling of maps to supplement the text and give the readers only a basic understanding of what happened on the field. There are never enough maps… until now, that is.

“The Maps of Chickamauga” by David A. Powell and David A. Friedrichs, is a blow by blow, nearly hourly account of the battle which took place on September 19 & 20, 1863, and the preceding Tullahoma Campaign. Their book, the 3rd in Savas Beatie’s Military Atlas Series, contains 126 full page, full color maps, drawn by Mr. Friedrichs, and each accompanied by Mr. Powell’s text on the facing page.

Since many of the maps are detailed down to the brigade and regimental level, the authors have made it possible to follow units on the battlefield throughout the entire course of the battle. Thus making it possible for me to literally walk in the footsteps of my great great grandfather on my next trip to Chickamauga National Battlefield, as well as many other family members who fought there.

My lone criticism, and it is an extremely small one, is the glossy pages made the text hard to read unless you held the book at just the right angle so the light did not reflect off the page. That being said Messrs. Powell and Friedrichs have done an outstanding job making the complicated troop movements during the ebb and flow of the Battle of Chickamauga understandable. Their book is a triumph and a must have for every student of the Civil War! I cannot wait for the next book in the Savas Beatie Military Atlas Series.

As for Walter Partridge, the list of casualties for Company F at Chickamauga in L. G. Bennett & William M. Haigh’s “History of the Thirty-Sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, During the War of the Rebellion” lists Oscar Hobbs and Walter E. Partridge, side by side, both with head wounds. I may not ever know if he was the second man hit by the tree, but I now can at least stand on the hill upon which he fought, and see the battle from his perspective.

ISBN 978-1932714722, Savas Beatie LLC, © 2009, Hardcover, 320 pages, Maps, Appendices, Endnotes, Bibliography & Index. $39.95