Saturday, June 26, 2010

“Shiloh,” “Falmouth.”

HARRISBURGH, PA., April 30. – Gov. Curtain has ordered that Shiloh shall be inscribed on the banner of the 77th Pennsylvania regiment and Falmouth, Va., on that of the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry, in acknowledgement of their gallantry at the battles of those places.

The Governor has received the most gratifying intelligence from Yorktown, in relation to the perfect arrangements for the early and prompt transportation of the killed and Wounded Pennsylvania soldiers to points within the state.

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

Arrival of the City of Washington

NEW YORK, April 30. – The City of Washington from Queenstown 17th, arrived here at an early hour this morning. News anticipated.

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

Nomination

WASHINGTON, April 30. – Brigadier General W. T. Sherman, in accordance with the recommendation of Gen. Halleck, has been nominated for a Major General.

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

Exchanged

BOSTON, April 30. – Col. Lee and Maj. Revere of the Mass. 20th regiment have been exchanged and start to join their regiment at Yorktown immediately.

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

From Banks’ Division

HARRISONBURGH, VA., April 28. – Through secession channels it is learned that the Governor of North Carolina, was arrested and imprisoned in Richmond two weeks ago on account of his Union sentiments.

It was observed to-day that Jackson had moved his wagon trains back some six miles since yesterday – indications of his intention to retire still further seaward or else entertaining a dread of an attack on him by our forces.

A squadron of cavalry was the only rebel force discovered to-day on the right side of the Shenandoah. They with one wagon entered the village of Mackguahequeston where they remained till about dark. They came by the Port Republic route.

We have news confirmatory of the occupation of Staunton by Gen. Milroy, Staunton is in Augusta county.

The river is still too high to attempt a passage with safety.

A dense smoke was seen in that direction to-day, but the cause is unknown.

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

Surgeon Charles C. Parker

Surgeon Charles C. Parker was born on a farm near New Richmond, Ohio, September 12, 1823; was educated in common school and in Clermont Academy, which was established in 1839 on the Parker homestead by the Doctor's oldest brother. He studied medicine at Columbus, Ohio, where he afterward held a professor's chair for a number of years. September 12, 1855, he located in Fayette, Iowa, and commenced the practice of medicine. He was a trustee and active worker in the interest of the Upper Iowa University from the time it was established; was commissioned Surgeon of the 12th Iowa October 25, 1861, and did excellent service for the regiment during the epidemic of measles at St. Louis and in care of the wounded at Fort Donelson and Shiloh. Disease, contracted during the exposure at Fort Donelson, compelled him to resign his commission April 19, 1862. He returned to Fayette and resumed the practice of his profession, and work in the interest of the university. He has held the office of Pension Examining Surgeon, and has always proved himself to be a warm friend of deserving soldiers.

SOURCE: David W. Reed, Campaigns and battles of the Twelfth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 251

Friday, June 25, 2010

Cairo Budget

CAIRO, April 30. – Heavy firing from the flotilla was distinctly heard at Tiptonville during Sunday and Monday, but no particulars have yet been received. The enemy’s foraging parties from Corinth are scouring the whole country along the line of the railroad. Gen. Halleck’s entire army has commenced advancing. Deserters contradict previous reports that the rebels were evacuating Corinth, but say that Beauregard has assured his troops that he will make a stand there and chastise our forces and drive them north. River has risen an inch in 24 hours. Loss of Government property would have been immense both here and at posts up and down the river, but for the energy and perseverance of Gen. W. K. Strong and Capt. Pennock, U. S. N., who have been indefatigable in their efforts to successfully to remove all stores out of the reach of the water. The Memphis Appeal and Avalanche of Saturday last have been received but give no news. The fall of Ne Orleans is referred to but no particulars given. Later arrivals from Pittsburg report that Gen. Pope’s division is within five miles of Corinth. His advance is continually skirmishing with the enemy. The whole army has advanced further into the interior and is fully equal to the approaching struggle. Col. Hogg of the 2d Illinois Cavalry, yesterday burnt the Rail Road bridge over the Obion River. CAIRO, April 30. – The packet delight arrived from Tiptonville this morning with a cargo of sugar, molasses and tobacco, reports an alarming stage of water below; hundreds of houses upon the river bank are submerged and washed away thousands of cattle, sheep, and hogs; many families are leaving in flatboats, and everywhere along the river there is great suffering in consequence of the unprecedented flood. The whole of Columbus is overflowed and the water running into the windows of houses. Hickman is also suffering greatly. The fortifications at Island 10 and those upon the main land opposite are as yet above the flood, excepting batteries known as the upper batteries on the Tennessee shore. Here there is an unbroken expanse of water from the Mississippi to Devil Lake. A large amount of cannon and heavy ordnance stores captured from the rebels on the main shore are still lying in the bayou which sets in from the Mississippi. These cannot be removed until the water subsides. An arrival from Tiptonville and New Madrid this morning reports a heavy and continuous cannonading herd throughout Monday night and Tuesday in the direction of Fort Pillow. – There has also been no boat up to-day or since the boat that left there on Monday noon. It is somewhat apprehended that the rebel fleet has been reinforced by the fugitive gunboats from New Orleans and an attack on our fleet has been made. Such an attack was not expected when the last boat left and Com. Foote was fully prepared to meet the enemy. No news to-day from the Tennessee. The Water in the Ohio rose another inch last night, and in the Mississippi half an inch. In several places it is now from six to ten inches above the top of the levee. The Mayor with large gangs of hands is raising the low places and throwing up additional embankments wherever needed. It is confidently believed that in this way the danger will be averted through a very slight storm of wind would inevitably inundate the city within the levee, and the surface water is accumulating rapidly and in many places is several feet deep. The principal streets away from the levee are navigated in skiffs and dugouts. Large trains of freight cars standing upon the levee are occupied as dwellings by families who have already been driven from their houses. The steamer Diligence which arrived this morning from Tiptonville, brought as passenger a refugee from Memphis, which place he left on Sunday. He came by way of the Memphis and Ohio Railroad to Humboldt; thence across the country to Ashport, and from thence up the river. He represents Humboldt as occupied by a small rebel force, who are engaged in throwing up defensive works. Humboldt is a small town, at the intersection of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, and the main trunk road running south from Columbus parallel with the Mississippi to New Orleans. The refugee brings Memphis papers, which however contain but little matter of interest further than the confirmation of the surrender of New Orleans. The Avalanche grumbles that the rebel government suppresses the details in regard to the affair, and says that nothing but the barren facts of the surrender are known. The same paper says that the Southern people are fast losing all confidence in their river defenses, and it is generally admitted that the Federal army can be no longer successfully resisted. It also insinuates a lack of confidence in the stability of the Southern Confederacy, by advising its patrons to invest whatever money they have in real estate while purchases can be made with the currency now in circulation, which is principally rebel treasury notes. The conscription law is being enforced, and Union citizens are secreting themselves or flying to avoid its operations. Memphis is represented by this refugee to be in the highest state of excitement, in anticipation the advent of the Yankees from either side at any moment. Merchants of strong and avowed secession proclivities are removing their goods to places of concealment and security, and large numbers of families are moving away. All the public stores have been put in readiness for immediate destruction at the slightest notice. The idea of burning the town is abandoned; the determined opposition of the property owners and municipal authorities being too great to be overcome. It is currently stated in Memphis that Beauregard has not to exceed 80,000 effective men at Corinth, and there is no hopes of his successfully resisting Gen. Halleck, who is believed to have an army at least 200,000 strong, admirable armed and disciplined, and composed of the best fighting stock in the North. A common expression is that Halleck is fooling with Beauregard, as a cat plays with a mouse preparatory to gobbling it up. The Southwest is admitted to be conquered, and the people are gradually preparing themselves to submit. The fall of New Orleans destroyed their last hope of success. When my informant left Memphis, it was reported that the rebel gunboat fleet from New Orleans were in sight and were bound up the river to join Hollis’s fleet at Fort Pillow. This has undoubtedly been accomplished, as I stated in my former dispatch and may account for the heavy cannonading heard in that direction on Monday and Tuesday. There has been no arrival from the Fort of from Pittsburgh. LATER – 7 P.M. – The steamer Glendale just in from Paducah, reports that a steamer had just arrived from Pittsburg Landing. The latter reports a serious skirmish between our advance party of the army, 5,000 strong, and a large body of rebels, five miles from Corinth – The Union forces were victorious. No mention is made of the losses on either side. The Federal Troops took 29 prisoners. Cannonading was still heard when the steamer left. The Glendale is chartered by the city of Cincinnati, and has on board twelve surgeons and an abundance of hospital stores and delicacies for sick and wounded soldiers. She is now coming look to after the comfort of disabled troops for the State of Ohio.

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

Major David W. Reed

Major David W. Reed, was born in Cortland, N. Y., April 2, 1841; removed, with his parents, to Iowa and settled on a farm in Allamakee County in 1855; entered Upper Iowa University in 1860, and on the 15th day of September 1861 enlisted as a private in "University Recruits." This company was mustered into the United States service October 24th, as "C," 12th Iowa Infantry. He was present with his company at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh. After the regiment was surrounded at Shiloh he received gunshot wound, shattering the right thigh; was taken prisoner but was left on the field and was recaptured on Monday, and sent to the hospital at Mound City. In August he returned to duty with the Union Brigade and served with it in battle of Corinth and as Sergeant Major of that organization until January 1863. Upon the reorganization of the regiment he was elected 2nd Lieutenant of Company C, and was present with his company during the Vicksburg campaign and participated in all its engagements; was in command of his company August 1st to 10th; in command of Company F, August 10th to 31st, of Company C, September 7th to 24th, and of Company I, during the Brownsville expedition, October 6th to 31st; was commissioned 1st Lieutenant December 14, 1863, and in June 1864 was detailed as Acting Adjutant of the regiment and served as such in all the campaigns of the regiment until February 1865. At Tupelo his horse was killed under him, and at Nashville he led the left wing of the regiment in the capture of a battery of the enemy and received special mention by regimental and brigade commanders. In February 1865 he was commissioned Captain of Company C, and was immediately detailed as Acting Field Officer. In this capacity he served at Spanish Fort and was breveted for gallantry in this engagement. From January to September 1865 he served as Inspector on the staff of General L. F. Hubbard. In October was detailed, with his company to garrison Center, Ala.; was in command of that Post until November when he was directed to take command of the Post of Blue Mountain. He was commissioned Major 12th Iowa November 21, 1865, and was mustered out with his regiment January 20, 1866. On his return home he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1868, and the same year was elected County Recorder. He held that office ten years and in 1879 was appointed Postmaster at Waukon, Iowa, and held that office until 1887. He was Supervisor of Census, for 2d Iowa district, in 1890. He was married to Miss Ellen E. Manson in 1866; removed to Chicago January 1891. In 1895 was appointed Secretary and Historian of the Shiloh National Military Park Commission. He has three children — a son and two daughters — the son, Milton E. Reed, is Lieutenant — Senior Grade — in United States Navy.

SOURCE: David W. Reed, Campaigns and battles of the Twelfth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 250

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Washington News

WASHINGTON, April 30. – Wm. Cullen Bryant of Virginia, nephew of Gov. James Barbour, has been appointed Chief of the Bureau of Inspection of the P. O. Department.

The vote in the Senate refusing by four majority to refer the subject of the confiscation of rebel property to a Select Committee, was regarded as a test vote between the friends and opponents of the measure, and a triumph of the former

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

For Pittsburgh Landing

LOUISVILLE, April 30. – The steamer Telegraph No. 3 left for Pittsburgh, Tenn., with surgeons, hospital stores and nurses, under the direction of Dr. W. S. Chipley, to bring back the Kentucky wounded or await the result of a new battle, if necessary.

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

Major Edward Vanduzee

Major Edward Vanduzee, was born in the town of Fullerville, St. Lawrence County, New York, April 19, 1835. Soon after his birth he removed with his parents to Scranton, Vt., and in 1851 to Buffalo, N. Y., and in 1852 to Dubuque, Iowa. He studied law with Bissell and Mills in Dubuque and was admitted to the bar in 1858. May 12,1859, he married Miss Caroline E. Jones, and in 1860 removed to Augusta, Ga., to engage in business with his father-in-law. The intense excitement over the Presidential election made it impossible for him to remain in the South and he left Augusta March 4, 1861, and returned to Dubuque. He enlisted September 14, 1861, and November 16th was commissioned Captain of Company I, 12th Iowa. He was present in command of his Company at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh; was taken prisoner, and with the other officers of the regiment was confined at various prisons in the South. From Mobile he was sent to Selma, thence to Talladega, and returned to Selma where he was held about three months then sent to Atlanta, Ga., next to Madison, Ga., where he remained until October 7th; then was sent to Libby prison and was paroled October 13, 1862, at Aiken's Landing, Va., and exchanged in November. About the middle of February, 1863 he was detailed as Judge Advocate at Headquarters of Department of Missouri. In April he was relieved to join his company when it went South. He commanded his company during all the marches and battles of the Vicksburg campaign. Near the close of this campaign he volunteered to defend Lieutenant Colonel Keeler of 35th Iowa, who had been arrested by General Sherman and charged with "allowing his men to set fire to a cotton gin." He secured the acquittal of Colonel Keeler and soon after was detailed as Judge Advocate of 3d Division 15th Army corps. August 5, 1863, he was promoted Major of the regiment and as such participated in all the campaigns and battles in which the regiment was engaged until December 1, 1864, when he mustered out by reason of expiration of time of service. Major VanDuzee, a member of the Baptist church, was known through the service as a sincere, earnest, Christian soldier. After his muster-out he lived in Dubuque, Iowa, four years and then removed to Minnesota. He resides in St. Paul and is business manager for an insurance company.

SOURCE: David W. Reed, Campaigns and battles of the Twelfth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 248-9

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The River

DUBUQUE, April 30. – River risen 5 inches in the last 24 hours. It is now within 9 inches of high water mark.

CLINTON, Iowa, April 30. – Water has risen 9 ½ inches since noon yesterday.

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., April 30. – The river is rising at the rate of 7 inches during the last four days and still rising fast.

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

Aid and Comfort

NEW YORK, May 1. – The Herald says we have received information from a reliable source that certain parties in this city are giving practical aid and comfort to the rebels. If our information be correct two rebels recently arrived here from the south brought on a quantity of tobacco valued at and sold for over $50,000, which sum they invested in army clothing and hats for the rebels. These goods were sent from the city yesterday, to a small town south of Nashville where they will be taken in charge by the rebel authorities. The boxes containing them are marked with a diamond.

If our authorities on the line of the route exercise due vigilance the goods may be intercepted.

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

Col. Jennison Released

ST. LOUIS, May 1.

Col. Jennison received a letter from a Senator at Washington City, which stated in explicit terms that an order reliving Generals Sturgis and Denver of their commands in Kansas had been forwarded from the War Department.

Jennison was yesterday relieved of his personal parole, and is now only obliged to report by letter. Under this liberty he expects to leave to-day for Washington City.

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

Major Samuel D. Brodtbeck

Major Samuel D. Brodtbeck, was born in the city of Liestol, Switzerland, June 26, 1818. When only 12 years old he joined a company of sharpshooters, as trumpter, and served in a number of conflicts between his home district and Bale. In 1839 he entered the regular army of Switzerland and in 1842 distinguished himself in several engagements and was commissioned Captain. He came to the United States in 1851 and two years later settled in Dubuque, Iowa, where he was for several years deputy County Recorder. In 1856 he organized a Militia Company of which he was Captain. He was commissioned Major of Iowa Militia in summer of 1861, and placed in command of Camp Franklin, where the 9th Iowa was organized. When the 12th Iowa was being organized he was in command of Camp Union, and when the regiment was mustered in received his commission as Major of the regiment. He was present with his regiment at Benton Barracks, Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. At Shiloh he was suffering from diarrhea and rheumatism contracted at Donelson and was unable for duty. He had tendered his resignation before the battle of Shiloh and it was accepted April 7, 1862. He returned to Dubuque and as soon as health was partially recovered, was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel on the Governor's Staff, and again placed in command of Camp Franklin, and organized and drilled the 21st, 27th, 23d, 38th, and 43d Iowa regiments. Failing health compelled him to abandon active labor in the spring of 1863. In 1867 he made an extended visit to his mother in Switzerland in the hope of regaining his health. He returned to this country and attended regimental reunion in 1884, and soon after removed to California where he died January 21, [1897].

SOURCE: David W. Reed, Campaigns and battles of the Twelfth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 248

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Gen. Bank’s [sic] Column

HARRISBURGH, Pa., April 29. – Three thousand rebels under Edward Johnson, formerly of the Federal army, are posted a few miles from Staunton, but in a position easily accessible to escape in case of Gen. Milroy’s approach.

The most reliable news from Gordonsville is that there is only four brigades there, not numbering 15,000.

Gen. Longstreet with his command has gone to Yorktown. Should Johnston retire he will probably reinforce Jackson on the Blue Ridge.

The Richmond Examiner of the 22d inst. says in effect: The destiny of the Confederacy is trembling on the result at Yorktown. If successful, it will give us six months for carrying out the conscript act, arming and equipping a large army and launching a fleet of Merrimac’s, but if unsuccessful, Virginia is lost.

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

Radestaki Arrested

NEW YORK, May 1. – Last evening Superintendent Kennedy received intelligence by telegraph from St. Louis, that the police in that city arrested Radetski, who is alleged to have murdered Sigismond Felner, a German jeweler, and robbed him of nearly $100,000 in gold, notes and diamonds, about the middle of October 1861.

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

Lieutenant Colonel Samuel G. Knee

Lieutenant Colonel Samuel G. Knee, Brevet Colonel U. S. V., was born in Martinsburg, Penn., March 11, 1834; removed to Delaware County, Iowa, in 1855, and worked at the carpenter's trade until the war broke out when he enlisted, September 19, 1861, in Company H, 12th Iowa, and was mustered in as 1st Sergeant of his company; was promoted 2nd Lieutenant November, 1862; Captain, September, 1863; Major in December, 1864; Lieutenant Colonel in 1865, and Breveted Colonel U. S. V., July, 1866. He participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Jackson, Siege of Vicksburg, Tupelo, Nashville and Spanish Fort; was taken prisoner at Shiloh; confined at Montgomery, Selma, and Libby prison; was paroled at Aiken's Landing Va., Oct. 18, 1862. In 1864 he commanded the Pioneer corps of the 1st Division, 16th Army corps and was commended for his energy and skill in building, in one night, out of raw material, a bridge 600 feet long, over which the army passed without accident. He commanded the regiment most of the time from February 1865, to muster-out, January 20, 1866. On muster-out of the regiment he returned to his home at Colesburg, Iowa, where he engaged in mercantile business. He married Miss Julia Moreland July 19, 1866, He died at his home, August 13, 1896,

SOURCE: David W. Reed, Campaigns and battles of the Twelfth Regiment Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, p. 247

Monday, June 21, 2010

Rebel Outrages on the dead

WASHINGTON, April 30. – The Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War made a lengthy report regarding the treatment by the rebels at Manassas of the remains of Federal officers and soldiers killed there. They say the facts disclosed are of painful, repulsive and shocking character – that the rebels have crowned this rebellion by the perpetration of deeds unknown even to savage warfare. Investigations have established this beyond controversy. The witnesses called before us were men of undoubted veracity and character; some of them occupy high positions in the army, and some of them high positions in civil life. Differing in political sentiments, this evidence proves a remarkable concurrence of opinion and judgment of our own people and foreign nations, and must with one accord, however they have differed heretofore, consign to lasting odium of the authors of crimes which, in their details, exceed the worst excesses of the Sepoys in India. The outrages on the dead will revive the recollections of the cruelties to which savage tribes subject their prisoners. They were buried, in many cases with their faces downward – they were left to decay in the open air, their bones being carried off as trophies, sometimes, as the testimony proves, to be used as personal ornaments; and one witness deliberately avows that the head of one of our most gallant officers was cut off by a Secessionist to be used as a drinking cup on the occasion of his marriage.

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

Siege of Yorktown

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF POTOMAC, April 29. – The Rebels are apparently realizing that Gen. McClellan is making great preparations to open the siege of Yorktown. Our earthworks begin to present a very formidable appearance and all day yesterday and last night, the enemy kept up a brisk fire, trying to drive us out. Nobody was injured, and the work progressed. In the morning the enemy opened fire vigorously, for three hours, from their batteries near the river, but receiving no response ceased.

Yesterday, Gen. Hancock, with a portion of his brigade, went to drive the Rebels from the woods near our works. Our troops pressed in, delivering a well directed fire, which caused the Rebels to retreat, leaving their dead and wounded. During this skirmish our men silenced the new Rebel battery, dismounting the guns, which on Sunday night had interfered with our working parties. The weather is more favorable.

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