ARRIVAL OF UNION REFUGEES – CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEANS – DESTRUCTION OF REBEL GUNBOATS AND ARMY STORES – GREAT PANIC IN DIXIE – PICAYUNE BUTLER COME AT LAST!
FORTRESS MONROE, April 29. – A flag of truce from Norfolk to-day brought down the wife and family of Parson Brownlow, and also the wife of Congressman Maynard. The party consisting of four ladies, two men and six children, are all from Tennessee. They bring the report that all Union families of Tennessee have been ordered by proclamation to leave within thirty-six hours. 1500 Union men left for Kentucky a week ago Friday. Out of a party of 400 attempting to leave, 100 had been killed.
There can be no doubt of the capture of New Orleans. The Southern newspapers speak of it in the most dismal strains, and demand that the mystery of the surrender of the city shall be explained.
The Norfolk Day Book, in an editorial, says it is by far the most serious reverse of the war. – It suggests future privations to all classes of society. but most to be lamented of all, it threatens our army supplies. The raising of meat and corn and wheat, instead of cotton and tobacco, is earnestly recommended by the discreet editor.
The Richmond Dispatch of yesterday says that when the enemy’s fleet arrived opposite the city and demanded its surrender, Gen. Lovell refused and fell back to Camp Moore, after destroying all the cotton and stores. The iron-clad vessel Mississippi was burnt to prevent her from falling into the hands of the enemy.
Nothing is said about the Louisiana, but it is supposed that she was scuttled. It is rumored that she was sunk at the first fire.
Camp Moore is 78 miles from New Orleans, on the Jackson Railroad.
The following are the latest despatches in today’s papers.
MOBILE, April 27. – The Yankee Commodore, Farrugat [sic], promised the Secretary of the Mayor of New Orleans, who visited the fleet, by a flag of truce, to make a second demand for the surrender of the city, but he had not done so up to this hour, five o’clock.
Our ship, the McRea, came up from the Forts under a flag of truce, with forty of our wounded. She communicated with the Federal Flag ship, but the result is unknown. It is rumored that the Federals refused to let her return.
The rumor that Fort Pike has been evacuated and blown up, is unreliable.
In a conference held with one of the Federal officers, after the correspondence between Mayor and Com. Farrugat, the officer left declaring that he would shoot down the flag on the City Hall, if it was not hauled down, and he actually bro’t his ship within range, but has not fired thus far.
It is reported that the French and English men of war, which are below, will enter their protest against shelling the city.
It is believed the Yankee vessels are short, both of provisions and ammunition.
The excitement in the city is intense, and the feeling of humiliation deep.
RICHMOND, April 28. – The following dispatch was received to-day, by Adj.-Gen. Cooper, from Gen. Lovell:
Camp Moore, April 27.
Forts Jackson and St. Phillip, are still in good condition and in our hands. The steamers Louisiana and McRae are safe. The enemy’s fleet is at the city, but they have not forces enough to occupy it. The in habitants are staunchly loyal.
MOBILE, April 28. – The Forts on Lake Ponchartrain [sic] were all evacuated on the 25th inst. – we have sustained considerable loss in supplies and dismounting, but not in destroying. The guns at Fort Pike and all the building[s] were burnt, including the telegraph office. The operator has gone to the limits of the city to open an office if possible. All the gunboats on the Lake have been burnt by our own people. The mobile boats Whitman, Brown and several others are moving troops, stores and ordnance to Manchock, after which we fear they will be burned.
The Yankee fleet was returning again to Ship Island.
In a local paragraph the Norfolk Day Book under the head of markets, named the ferry small supply of edibles exposed for sale and says it becomes a question of grave moment as to where and how the people are to be fed.
The death of Samuel B. Todd, brother of Mrs. Lincoln, is announced. He died on the battlefield, and from the effects of the wounds he received at Shiloh, in the action of the 7th.
It is reported by the flag of truce that the Merrimac had steamed up, and it was expected in Norfolk last night that she would come out to-day. She has not made her appearance, however.
The Charleston Mercury says that 9 schooners left that city on the previous Saturday to run the blockade. The Guild, Wave and two others were taken. The crew of the Guild was landed on Gibbs’ Island on Wednesday. On Friday they were seen by our pickets and fired upon under the supposition that they were Yankees. David Kauffer, of Augusta, was killed.
The other three vessels were sent to Fort Royal.
The gunboat Mt. Vernon arrived from the blockade of Wilmington on Sunday night. She left there the Jamestown and Victoria.
The Cambridge sailed hence for Wilmington on Sunday.
The Mt. Vernon’s boilers are defective, but she will return to her station in a few days.
There is but little news.
Fort Caswell is being strengthened by the rebels in expectation of an attack.
The schooner Kate from Nassau, was captured by the Mt. Vernon about two weeks ago while attempting the run the blockade.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 3
Tilghman H. Cunningham, of Company K, was First Fife Major. And he was a good one. The boys called him the "boss whistler," and he was. He could rattle the music out with more noise and less effort than any Fifer in the Brigade, and he knew his business and did it. He was mustered out on December 17, 1864.
Although not in the ranks with a musket, he was faithful in his duties and thoroughly subordinate to those above him, and the writer of this has no hesitation in saying that he was the very man for the place.
SOURCE: William W. Belknap, History of the Fifteenth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 48
Colonel Joseph Jackson Woods was born in Brown County, Ohio, January 11, 1823; was appointed to West Point Military Academy in June 1843, to the place made vacant by the graduation of U. S. Grant. Woods graduated number three in his class and was [commissioned] 2d Lieutenant in the 1st U. S. Artillery, in 1847. Immediately after his graduation he was detailed on [recruiting] service in New York city and in October was ordered, with his recruits, Companies L and M., to join his regiment in Mexico. The ship upon which he embarked was wrecked off the coast of South Carolina. His command escaped to an island and was taken to Fort Moultrie where it awaited another ship and finally reached Vera Cruz January 5, 1848, where the command was assigned to garrison duty. The following October Lieutenant Woods was promoted 1st Lieutenant and ordered back to New York. Soon after he was ordered with same companies — L and M — to Oregon where he arrived May 9, 1849, after a sea voyage of six month from New York. In April, 1851, he was sent in command of a detachment to "The Dalles," on the Columbia river east of the Cascade range, where he [commanded] the post for eighteen month[s]. This was then the only post and he the only commissioned officer between the Cascade range and Fort Laramie. In September, 1852, he returned to Fort Vancouver, and the next February was ordered to New York as Superintendent of recruiting service. In June, 1853, he received leave of absence and visited Iowa, buying land in Jackson County. He married Miss Kezia Hight in September and soon after resigned his commission and removed to his lands in Iowa, where he made his home until the rebellion broke out when he tendered his service to the Governor and was commissioned Colonel of the 12th Iowa, October 23, 1861. From the organization of the regiment to December, 1864, he was constantly with the regiment as its commander or the commander of the brigade or division with which the 12th was serving. At Shiloh he was twice wounded and taken prisoner, but was left on the field and recaptured the second day. Recovering from his wounds he was detailed on recruiting service until his regiment was exchanged when he assumed command. April 14, 1863, he was assigned to the command of 3d brigade, 3d division, 15th Army corps. From that time to the end of his term of his service he was almost constantly in command of a brigade or a division. He served during the Vicksburg campaign including the battle and siege of Jackson. On July 15, 1863, General Tuttle reported sick and Colonel Woods was assigned to command the 3d division and retained that command until October. He commanded the brigade at Tupelo and Oxford, and during the Price raid, until October 16, 1864, when he was again in command of the division until relieved by General McArthur. November 22, 1864, he mustered out of service on expiration of term and returned to Iowa where he engaged in business until 1869 when he removed to Kansas. He was a member of Kansas Legislature; Receiver of the General Land Office; Regent of State University and held several other important offices, he died at his home at Montana, Kas., September 27, 1889. A more complete sketch may be found in proceedings of the reunion of 12th Iowa, held at Sioux City, Iowa in 1892.
SOURCE: David W. Reed, Campaigns and battles of the Twelfth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 244-5
Henry Metz, of Company G, was appointed Drum Major on March 15, 1862. He was a full-faced, bright-eyed, handsome boy, with ability for the position, had he the determination to control his band. Instead of running the band, the band ran him. He was brave and active, and ready to do his work, but his fault was that he did not try to run his machine. But he was so willing to be an obedient soldier that his failures to command his men were forgotten. He lives now in Winlock, Lewis County, Washington Territory.
SOURCE: William W. Belknap, History of the Fifteenth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 48
BERLIN, Wis., April 29. – The fire this morning burned out Alexander & Bro., J. E. Field, Dr. Brown, J. Higgs, and A. J. Work, together with many others. Loss $30,000
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p 3
Nathan A. Leonard was the First Drum Major. He was from Company B, and was discharged at Corinth on July 11. 1862.
His daughter now resides at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He had the early instruction of the Musicians of the Regiment and did very well, considering the insubordinate characters of the young devils over whom he had control. He died several years since. One of the "youngsters" above named, John S. Bosworth, is now in the office of the Adjutant General at Washington, and another, Major L. S. Tyler, prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic, and formerly in Company H, is the compiler of this history of the Regiment.
SOURCE: William W. Belknap, History of the Fifteenth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 47-8
NEW YORK, April 30. – A letter from Washington received by one of our merchants yesterday, states that the most positive information has been received from the vicinity of Memphis, that cotton in immense quantities has been destroyed throughout that section of the country, and it is now past any question that the plan of the rebels long declared is being put into active execution.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p 3
WASHINGTON, February 10.
SENATE. – The report of the committee of conference on the bill to raise certain troops in Missouri and Maryland was taken up. Mr. Henderson said they could be ordered out of the State, and even, if necessary to go to New Orleans.
The report of the committee was agreed to and the bill passed.
The Vice President appointed Mr. Conway on the finance committee, in place of Mr. Bright; Mr. Henderson on the post office committee, in place of Mr. Bright; and Mr. Wilson of Mo., on the committee on military affairs in place of Mr. Cowan.
On motion of Mr. Fessenden, the fortification bill was taken up.
Mr. Fessenden said he should call up the treasury note bill to-morrow and press it to a speedy passage.
The amendment of the committee, to the fortification bill, making an appropriation of $550,000 for the harbor marine in case of war with any maritime powers, was considered.
Mr. Trumbull thought it would be time enough to protect these harbors when there was danger of war with any great maritime powers. “Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.”
Mr. Doolittle was in favor of making the appropriation larger, and giving the President power to protect the harbors on the Pacific coast, the harbors on the Western lakes, &c. He did not believe there was danger of war with any maritime powers. He referred to the speech of the French Emperor as evidence of peace.
Mr. Dixon was in favor of the amendment, but did not like its phraseology, suggesting that there might be war with any maritime power. He would strike out the clause reading imminent dangers with maritime powers, so as to leave the matter subject to the President.
The amendment was so modified and adopted.
After further discussion Mr. Trumbull moved to recommit the bill to the committee on military affairs. If the armies of the Union will move forward and crush the rebellion, we will have no need of fortification on the lakes.
HOUSE. – The house took up and passed a Senate joint resolution authorizing a detail of naval officers for service in the War Department.
The House concurred in the Senate amendment to the bill providing for the purchase of cotton seed, so that one thousand dollars could also be expended for tobacco seed.
The house resumed the consideration of the Segur election case.
Mr. Maynard argued in favor of the justice as well as the propriety of enabling all persons to be heard here through their representatives. He said that Mr. Segur was known and appreciated hat home. For more than two years he was a member of the Virginia Legislature, and was a delegate at the breaking out of the rebellion. When the resolution was introduced in the Virginia Senate directing the governor to seize and hold certain cannon at the Bologna arsenal, Mr. Segur said: “Rather than thus vote for seizing the property of the U. S., so help me God, I will die in my seat.”
Mr. Maynard pointed out Mr. Segur’s eminent services in the Union cause, and his personal sacrifices. But for his conduct, as alleged in secession quarters, Ft. Monroe would have fallen into the possession of the south.
Mr. Crittenden argued that the pending case as a question of law in favor of Mr. Segur.
The House then, by a vote of 85 to 40 decided that Mr. Segur was not entitled to a seat.
The House agreed to the Senate amendment to the bill authorizing the construction of 20 iron-clad gun boats.
The House then adjourned.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, February 12, 1862, p. 1
