Thy Work, O War!

Every little while the horrors of War are vividly brought home to us by the appearance of a coffin from the South, enclosing the body of a dead soldier.  But a day or two since, we had occasion to notice a circumstance of this character.  A bereaved wife met the coffin of her dead husband, near Newton!  Never will it be fully revealed until the light of eternity blazes on the melancholy theme, how many fond hearts have been shaken and riven, and [lacerated] by the desolating assault of War.  Think of it!  A poor soldier who had forsaken all the endearments of home and hat taken his life in his hand and marched with his comrades to aid in the deliverance of his country, is assailed by a deadly disease.  He longs to die at home in the bosom of his family.  He longs to greet once more the familiar faces around his own fireside.  He prays that his aching head may receive once more the fond pressure of hands which were wont in other days to minister to his happiness.  He must go home!  He rises from his sick cot, and then in care of sympathizing comrades, he makes haste to reach the place which is consecrated by many blessed memories.  He summons all the energies of his decaying nature to the task before him.  He travels the weary miles of his journey, sustained by the hope that he may not die before his failing ear drinks again the music of familiar voices at home.  No pilgrim seeking the Holy Sepluchre, is more ardent that he is in his weary pilgrimage.  But wife and children will be seen no more.  At the time when, in rapt imagination, he sees but a little distance in advance the smoke curling from the chimney of his home, and sees the forms of loved ones crowding out to greet the dying soldier, the great wheels of his life stand still, and his body sinks into the repose of death.  This is thy cruel deed, O War!  This is thy work, Rebellion!  God grant that the time may soon come when these scenes, which are so dark with the terrible curse of War, will have no recurrence. – Des Moines Register.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

Our Woolen Manufactures

So great has been the demand for army woolen goods, such as cloth, flannel and blankets, that all the woolen mills in the country have been stimulated to prodigious efforts in order to supply the demand made upon them.  Most of the factories have been engaged on army contract work, and it is stated that all the corporations have made handsome profits.  One peculiar effect of the war has been a great rise in the price of coarser qualities of wool, while the finer sorts have been lowered.  The army regulations specify that common army cloth shall be made of long, coarse staple, hence the great demand for this class of wool has raised it to a very high figure.  Thus the coarse Beckwell wool which used to sell at from twenty-five to thirty-five cents per pound has advanced to thirty-eight and forty-five cents.  The consumption of wool for army purposes during the past six months has amounted to no less than 15,200,000 pounds.  This allows for an overcoat, blanket, coat and pants, unitedly weighing sixteen pounds for 950,000 suits. – Scientific American.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

An Interesting Incident

A released prisoner who gives his experience in Secessia to the Rochester Express, relates this incident:

Of the six or several cars which started from Manassas, there were but two remaining when we reached the rebel capital (Richmond.)  We arrived there about 9 o’clock in the evening.  After the cars had halted, I heard a low voice at my window, which was partly raised.  It was quite dark and I could not distinguish the speaker, who was an Irish woman.

“Whist,” said she, “are ye hungry?”

I replied that I was not that some of the boys probably were.

“Wait till I go to the house,” she continued; and a moment afterwards I heard her again at the window.  She handed me a loaf of bread, some meat and about a dozen baker’s cakes, saying, “that was all I had in the house, but I had a shillin’ and I bought the cakes with it; and if I had more you should have it and welcome!  Take it and God bless ye!”

I thanked her and said, “you are very kind to enemies.”

“Whist,” said she, “and ain’t I from New York meself?”

This was the first Union demonstration that I witnessed in old Virginia.  I thanked God for the consolation  which the reflection afforded me, as for the third night as I lay sleeplessly in the cars, my clothing still saturated, and my body thoroughly chilled from the effects of the deluge at Manassas, I could have desired no sweeter morsel than the good woman’s homely loaf; and proud of the loyal giver, I rejoiced that “I was from New York meself.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

Henry Repenn

Although he has retired from active work Henry Repenn continues to reside on the excellent farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Sheridan township, in the cultivation of which he engaged for many years. Mr. Repenn is a native of Germany. He was born on the 15th of September, 1839, son of Claus and Catharine Repenn, who emigrated to the United States in 1853, locating in Clinton county, Iowa, where the father preempted forty acres of land. In 1871 they purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land on section 5, Sheridan township, Poweshiek county, where they continued to reside until they died, the father passing away on the 28th of October, 1900, and the mother on the 15th of March, 1904. They were both natives of Schleswig-Holstein, the father's natal day being the 12th of April, 1816, and the mother's the 29th of September, 1818.

Henry Repenn was a youth of fourteen years of age when his parents came to the United States, so that practically his entire education was acquired in the common schools of the fatherland. He remained under the paternal roof assisting his father in the cultivation of the homestead, one hundred acres of which the latter deeded him in 1877, until after the death of his parents, at which time he purchased from the heirs the remaining fifty acres. His sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Jochims, reside with him and operate the farm.

Mr. Repenn has always been very loyal to the country of his adoption and when the call came for volunteers in '61 he responded, enlisting on the 1st of October, 1861, at Lyons, Clinton county, Iowa, in Company A, Fifteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was organized at Keokuk, where they remained until the 19th of March, 1862, when they were ordered to report at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, where they were equipped. From St. Louis they were sent into Tennessee, arriving just in time to participate in the battle of Shiloh. Mr. Repenn was taken sick in June, being compelled to spend several months in the hospital at St. Louis. When released he was sent to join his command in Mississippi but was taken prisoner en route by General Forrest, who was then at Trenton, Tennessee, and taken to Columbus, Kentucky, and later to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, under parole. He was retained in the latter place until September, 1863, when he was permitted to join his regiment at Vicksburg. Before the expiration of his period of service he took part in a number of sharp skirmishes, being mustered out on the 16th of November, 1864, at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Returning home Mr. Repenn again engaged in agricultural pursuits, continuing to be identified with general farming and stock-raising during the remainder of his active career.

Mr. Repenn has never married and has for several years made his home with his sister, Mrs. Jochims. He has three other sisters: Mrs. Anna Davids, of Osmond, Nebraska: Mrs. A. W. Mustapha, of Davenport; and Mrs. George Haferbier, of Jackson county, Iowa.  He has always been very successful in his ventures and now owns one of the excellent farms of the county, in addition to which he has a very comfortable competence.

SOURCE: Leonard Fletcher Parker, History of Poweshiek County, Iowa, Volume 2, p. 550-3

Glorious News from the Southwest

Special to the Mo. Democrat of the 17^th.

SPRINGFIELD, Feb. 17.

Our army, under command of Gen. Curtis, marched from Lebanon on the 10^th inst., forward in three divisions, the right commanded by Col. J. C Davis, the left by Col. E. A. Carr, and the centre by Ben. Sigel.  The different commands started at daybreak on the 10^th.

Six miles from Springfield a skirmish took place between the advance and a body of the rebels.  Nine of the enemy were killed, and one of our men slightly wounded.

At sunset on the same day, 300 of the enemy attacked our pickets, but were driven back with a loss of over 30.

This was supposed to be the opening of the ball, and 3,000 cavalry and infantry, with a battery of artillery, were sent forward.  The battery was placed on an imminence commanding the supposed approach of the enemy.

Three shells were thrown, to which no reply was made, and our force retired, leaving a heavy picket.

During the night a continual firing was kept up by the pickets.  At three in the morning the enemy advanced in the same order mentioned.

The divisions were formed in line of battle when about three miles from the town, and marched steadily forward.  The third division headed by the Iowa 4^th, entered the town first – at daybreak on the 13^th – taking peaceable possession; the other divisions soon following.

Price had left the same morning at two o’clock, on the Cassville Road, leaving his sick (over six hundred,) and large quantities of forage and wagons behind him.  He had 12,000 effective men, with fifty pieces of artillery, when he left.  Yesterday evening a battalion of cavalry captured one hundred wagons of his train.

Last night firing by pickets was heard in the direction of the retreating foe.  This morning at six o’clock our whole force followed the enemy.  It is reported that Price was merely falling back to meet McIntosh, who was coming up with reinforcements, and on his joining him he would return and give us battle.  The probability is, however, that he is in flight for the regions of the sunny South, where his poorly clad, miserably armed. M. S. G. can find safer grounds for pillage and robbery.  A general rejoicing by the people of the Southwest took place on the news of the retreat of the secesh.  The families residing in and around Springfield express unbounded satisfaction at the arrival of the federals.  Many of them are literally ruined by the robberies of the rebels, who take what they want without price or thanks.  No one believes that Price will return or stand to give us battle.  This expedition will doubtless close the campaign in Missouri.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

The Kentucky Grand Army

The Kentucky Grand Army

There are about 115,000 troops in Gen. Buell’s department, divided into three brigades of from 3,000 to 5,000 each and four grand divisions from 20,000 to 30,000 each.  The division commanders are:

1.  General Alexander McDowel McCook.

2.  General George H. Thomas.

3. General Ormsby M. Mitchell.

4. General Thomas L. Crittenden.

Gen. Thomas has left the line, at Somerset and London, on the road to East Tennessee.  Gen. Mitchell has the center, and is now at Bowling Green.  Gen. Crittenden has the right of the line, and with a portion at least of his command, has co-operated with Gen. Grant at Fort Donelson.  The division of Gen. McCook is the “reserve,” and is in the rear of bowling green.

This army has some of the best military talent in the country among its leading officers, as it has also some of the best troops.  The following are among the brigade commanders: –

General Ebenezer Dumont, of Indiana.

General AlbinSchoepf, of D. C.

General Thomas J. Wood, of Kentucky.

General William Nelson, of Kentucky.

General Richard W. Johnson, of Ky.

General Jerre T. Boyle, of Kentucky.

General James S. Negley, of Penn.

General William T. Ward, of Kentucky.

Also of Colonels commanding brigades: –

Colonel John B. Turchin, 19th Illinois.

Colonel William B. Hagen, 41st Ohio.

Colonel Joshua W. Sill, 33d Ohio

Colonel Henry B. Carrington, 18th regulars.

Colonel Edward N. Kirk, 34th Illinois.

Colonel Mahlon D. Manson, 10th Indiana.

Colonel Carter, 1st East Tennessee

There are five other brigades (Twenty in all) but we have not the names of their commanders at hand. – Chicago Tribune.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

Price’s Rear Guard Overtaken

Dispatches were received at Headquarters last evening by Gen. Halleck, from Gen. Curtis, to the effect that he had pursued and overtaken price’s rear guard, captured nearly all of its baggage, and taken more prisoners than he knew what to do with.

In this connection, it is also stated that in the list of prisoners are several of Gen. Price’s Staff. – Mo. Dem. 17 inst.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

An Irish Patriot

The North Iowa Times publishes an obituary notice of John Lyon, a private in Co. C, 3d regiment Infantry who died at the St. Louis Military Hospital, and says:

He was at the battle of Blue Mills Landing, and behaved himself like a true soldier.  He leaves a wife and three children at McGregor.  It will be remembered that he did not enlist till the morning of the departure of the company, and while the steamer Canada was lying at our wharf ready to carry “the boys” to Keokuk, the writer of this tribute to his memory met him on that morning in soldier’s clothes and inquired  where he was going.  The reply was, “I am going to fight for my adopted country.” “But,” said I, “John, why didn’t you enlist a month ago, like most of your comrades, and not surprise your friends in this way?”  “Because, sir,” said the noble-hearted soldier, “I am too proud to let Relief Committees take care of my wife and children, while I have stout arms to labor for them.  I intended from the first to enlist, but I chose to provide for my little home, rather than to tramp up and down the streets and idle away that time, while they and myself would be dependent upon the liberality of the who public.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

Theodore Peyre Ferry . . .

third master of the gunboat Essex, has died from injuries received at the bombardment of Fort Henry.  Mr. Ferry is of French descent, his father and uncle both having been officers in the army under Napoleon.  He has been in service, in various capacities, in the united States Navy, for nearly fourteen years.  He planted the first American flag upon the coast of Japan, and has seen much service in California and Washington Territory.  He was a man of undoubted bravery, and Commander W. D. Porter says “That by his death he has lost one of his best officers” a tribute worthy both to the noble man who gave it, and to him who fell defending the country he loved.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

Border State Loyalty

A leading banker of Baltimore, who, like a large majority of the commons and a small minority of the aristocracy of that city, is heartily for the Union, recently assured a friend from this city that a majority of the Legislature of Maryland – four-fifths of them elected expressly as unionists – were now in heart with  the rebel confederacy.  “Why so?”  “Because they have been alienated by so much emancipation talk at Washington this winter.”  “Well, what do you think would make Maryland heartily and steadfastly loyal?”  “The abolition of slavery, sir,” replied the Baltimorean; “That and nothing else!” – N. Y. Tribune.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

Albert Phipps

In every community there are men whose strong personality and forcefulness make them leaders. Such a one was the subject of this sketch. Tall in stature but well proportioned, he was a commanding figure in any assembly; his symmetrical head and high forehead betokened intelligence of a high order. He was one of the original Milford Colony, of which this history has had much to relate. Of this colony of rugged New England pioneers not one remains; all have been called from earthly activities and are sleeping the long, deep sleep called death. They have left a rich heritage to their descendants. Their story is one of activity, replete with self-sacrifice, of hardships endured; of thrilling adventure; of the overcoming of the wildness of nature and of still wilder men — the Indians. When one reviews the history of this little band of liberty-loving, home-longing people who left comfortable and, with a majority of them, cultured homes nearly three score years ago to secure the homes and independence for which they longed in the wilds of northwestern Iowa, who has followed them step by step as the writer of these pages has done in relating the story of this "Winning of the West" from the planting of the foundation stone by these hardy pioneers to this era of well cultivated farms, populous and prosperous towns and cities which forms the fairest rose in the garland of ninety and nine counties which constitute the state, "The Beautiful Land," and realizes the great benefits these conferred upon those who came after them and to extend forward as a benison to those yet unborn, the pen hesitates when the attempt is made to sketch the achievements of individuals of the heroic band.

The story of Albert Phipps is that of a leader and his name has been frequently mentioned in the pages of this history. A history of this county without the name of Albert Phipps would be like writing the play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out. Something of the great heartedness, the hospitality and public spiritedness of the subject of this sketch is gleaned from the reminiscences of his oldest son, Luther, which appears in these volumes. Much more is revealed in- the narrative of the "First Events" and the "Organization of the County" and "County Government." It remains only to briefly outline here his family connections and events not enumerated in the preceding pages.

Albert Phipps was born in the town of Milford, Worcester county, Massachusetts, October 7, 1820, two hundred years after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers on the wild New England shores. Aaron Phipps, father of Albert, was also a native of Massachusetts and a descendant of English ancestors. Aaron's father was Samuel Phipps. The Phipps family was noted for the great number of blacksmiths it contained, the trade having been handed down from father to son for generations. Albert Phipps' mother was Polly H. Phipps, daughter of Jason Phipps of Revolutionary fame. She was born in Connecticut, and after her marriage to Aaron Phipps settled in Massachusetts, where she resided until her death, which occurred in October, 1826. Aaron Phipps was a stone worker and cutter by trade. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters, six of whom are living. He died in June, 1839.

Albert was the fifth child of the family and his mother died when he was six years of age. Thus left an orphan at so tender an age, he early began life's conflict for himself. His opportunities for gaining an education were very limited. He learned the shoemaker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years. After mastering this industry he engaged in the manufacture of goods which are now rapidly turned out by machinery. He followed this occupation at intervals for twenty years and in the spring of 1856 came to Iowa, with the Milford Emigration society when not a wheel track had flattened the native prairie grass. He preempted a quarter section of land, upon which he began making a home. He erected a small log cabin just north of the present town and afterward purchased other lands and improved them. All that was produced for market had to be hauled by ox teams a great distance and sold very low. The hardships endured were enough to have disheartened any man, but Mr. Phipps' courage never faltered, and he remained with his undertaking. Soon there were evidences of better days; emigration commenced to flow westward and the country began to develop. He was a careful farmer and with the help of his sterling sons placed his large farm under a high state of cultivation and soon was numbered among the wealthy farmers of the county.

In 1844 he was married to Miss Martha Littlefield, a most estimable young lady, a daughter of David Littlefield, Esq. She was born in Middlesex county, Massachusetts, in the same neighborhood in which Mr. Phipps was brought up. After coming to Iowa, during those long, dark pioneer days she not unfrequently longed for the once happy home in old New England, but sighs and heartaches would not take her back to her childhood home in the old Bay state. With the passing years, the coming of children and the forming of new friendships, this feeling was assuaged and in time she learned to love the prairie home, in the establishment of which she was no small factor, even more than the New England home for which she pined during the first years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Phipps were born the following children: Anna B. Wakefield; John A., deceased; Adaline H. Burroughs; Henry L.; Frank F.; Arthur I., deceased; Nathan A.; and Mattie Prescott. All still reside in Cherokee county except Mrs. Burroughs and Nathan who live in Chicago, but yet call Cherokee their home.

Mr. Phipps was a veteran of the Civil war, being a member of Company I, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, General McPherson commanding. He took part in the siege of Savannah and the battle of Bentonville, and was with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and back through the Carolinas to Goldsboro, to the final surrender of the Confederate General Jo. Johnston. On account of exposure Mr. Phipps contracted rheumatism and was sent north to Philadelphia, where he was honorably discharged. He at once returned to his home in Cherokee county.

Politically he adhered to the republican party, and held various county and township offices. He served the county ten years as supervisor, holding that office when the supervisor system first became law in 1861, and at a time when the whole county was in one great civil township. He himself composed the board of supervisors — was a sort of king. But he was elected to such position on account of his good sound judgment and his strict integrity of character, which he ever maintained. Had it not been for his sterling qualities at an early day the land sharks and contract swindlers would doubtless have ruined the finances of this county, as they did in adjoining counties. Many an overture was made to him to put up jobs to swindle Cherokee county tax-payers, all of which were rejected with disdain. Mr. Phipps was an active member of Custer Post, No. 25, G. A. R. Mr. Phipps retired from farming in 1890, he with the aid of his stalwart sons having amassed a comfortable fortune, and removed to the city of Cherokee, where he resided until his death, which occurred April 11, 1901. One week later he was followed to "that bourn whence no traveler returns" by his life companion of fifty-seven years. Thus short was the earthly separation of this worthy couple before being reunited in the home eternal. They were loved and honored in life and in death their memories are enshrined in the hearts of many who received kindnesses from this whole-souled couple during the formative period of the county.

SOURCE: Thomas McCulla, History of Cherokee County, Iowa, Volume 2, p. 252-6

Capt. Porter

We regret to learn Capt. Porter is seriously ill from the scalding he received in the Essex at the Fort Henry bombardment.  His lungs were dangerously affected by the inhalation of the hot steam. – Mo. Dem. 17th.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

A singular incident of the attack on Fort Henry . . .

. . . is related by the Evansville Journal.  The rains, which had fallen for some days before the fight, softened the earthworks into a sort of heavy mud.  During the engagement a shot from the Essex threw a great wad of this mud into the muzzle of the 10-inch columbiad in the fort.  The rebels not noticing the queer cartridge thus furnished them, rammed in theirs and of course drove the mud in ahead of it, filling up the vent and chamber so that the gun could not be fired.  The Journal says the double load of mud and powder is still in the gun and will take some trouble to get it out.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

From The Iowa 2d Regiment

STEAMER S. L. McGILL, bound for Dixie, February 12.

EDITOR GAZETTE. – On the 10th the 2d Iowa left St. Louis in a manner not in accordance with our usual custom.  General Hamilton saw fit to issue an order to disgrace the regiment, for acts that it had no cognizance of until they were read as we were ready to march through the city.  If the acts of vandalism were committed by members of the regiment, they kept it a secret from their comrades.

Last September, while on the march from Ironton to Cape Girardeau, a soldier, while intoxicated, took possession of a horse.  He was drummed out and an example made of him before the regiment.  That case is similar to the present, except that now the innocent must suffer with the guilty.

The regiment cannot but feel the injustice done them and the Iowa troops in general.  Citizens never have complained of our behavior while we have been stationed among them.  We have some men in the regiment that are not as they should be.  What regiment has not?  What city, town, or school district has not men that reflect discredit upon the community?  Never have we shown better discipline than we did by the quiet, orderly manner in which we submitted to an order that all felt to be so unjust.  All marched with a soldierly bearing, feeling conscious that they held their fame in their own hands, and that it was not in the power of any General to make or unmake their reputation.

We will be in Paducah to-morrow morning, but will continue our journey to Dixie’s land with as little delay as possible.  We hope you will hear from us in the field of action in a few days; but we have been disappointed so often that we have but little faith that we will meet with an opportunity of trying our steel with the enemy.

We are in good fighting condition at present, and feel able to give a good account of ourselves.  We know we must fight to win laurels, after the fierce encounters of the 1st and Springfield and the 7th at Belmont.  We left all the sick at the St. Louis general hospital, where they will be taken care of.

DISCIPLINE,

2nd Iowa Regt.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

A sale of Government horses . . .

. . . took place at Warsaw, Ill., last week. They had been purchased by some swindler for Government, and been rejected as unfit for the service. There were 111 sold, at prices ranging from $13 to $55.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

We are informed that . . .

one of Jones’ sons is in the Federal army, and doing faithful service to the Government.  Perhaps the Gazette will say this too is all nonsense. – Dubuque Herold.

It’s all moonshine – We doubt if one of the generation is fighting on the side of his Government.  If the Herald will prove it, we will gladly publish the fact.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

The thievish propensities of Floyd . . .

. . . stuck out to the end of the chapter.  The last heard of him was, that he stole away from the fort at night and in the darkness, and made his escape, leaving his coadjutors to their fate.  The last thing he will take will be a piece of hemp cord, with a noose on the end of it. – Chicago Tribune.

It was the perfect understanding of the last fact, to save his neck from hemp, that caused the chivalrous Floyd to skedaddle.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

Deaths of Iowa Troops at St. Louis

The mortality of our troops at the St. Louis general hospital weekly decreases owing in part to increases healthfulness, but mainly to the few troops now stationed there.  The following are all the deaths there for the week ending with the 15th inst.

Feb. 8. – Albra Miller, Company M, 3d Cavalry.

Feb. 10. – Alfred Fleming, Company F, 14th regiment.

Feb. 13. – Charles Walker, Company K, 12th regiment.

Feb. 13. – Hy. McWilliams, Company B, 13th regiment.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

Floyd and Pillow

We sincerely hope that Parson Brownlow, of Knoxville, is yet alive, and in reaching distance of Fort Donelson; and it is so, that he may find his way thither, and see those men who so fatally to themselves plotted against the Union and the noble men who are in it, among whom he is one.  What an era in his life would it be for him to find his printing press in the fort, and there to issue those powerful missiles again at those who so basely and so wantonly conspired against the liberties of their country!  The army should send for him and retain him in their service, not only in the fort but in their all conquering march to the extreme South.  Let his bulletins fly in every direction among his deluded brethren.  They would be more dreaded than our columbiads.

We trust Floyd and Pillow have not escaped, but are caught, and will be sent to Washington City and as far as Boston, that they may look into the eyes of hones men, and conscience stricken, feel the strength of that noble indignation which burns in the breast of freemen, against such betrayers and murderers of a nations honor and peace.  They would then, like Macbeth, exclaim:

“Better be with the dead

Whom we, to gain our place, have sent to peace,

Tan on the torture of the mind to be

In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave;

After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well;

Treason has done his worst.”

The retributions of justice may be slow, but sure.  It may have the feet of velvet, but it has also the hand of steel; and with all the certainty of doom, will the rebels and their sympathizers meet the punishment due to them.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 2

Arrival of the Kangaroo

NEW YORK, February 19.

The Kangaroo has arrived, with dates of the 6th.

The Nashville was last seen on the 3d, outside of the Needles, steaming down the channel.

There is no confirmation of the report that another Federal vessel, supposed to by the Brooklyn, was cruising off the Isla of Wright.

There were rumors of a three-masted paddle steamer, supposed to be a privateer, off Cape Ann.

At the annual meeting of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, the blocking up of Charleston Harbor was strongly denounced, and the efficiency of the blockade questioned; but continued non-intervention was generally approved.  A letter was read from Mr. Cobden, showing the paramount importance of settling belligerent rights, and the necessity of England agreeing to the American doctrine relative to private property at sea.

Bright, in a speech at Birmingham denied the American blockade was inefficient and ridiculed the idea that America was in a position to be trampled on.  He points out the dangers of interference, and strongly urged neutrality.

It is stated that the Minister does not conceal his indignation at Earl Russell’s late letter to the Admiralty, relative to the use of British ports.  There are also considerable differences in political circles as to the policy and propriety of the act.

It is asserted that the allied powers are determined that their armies shall march on the capital of Mexico next month, and the report is revived and gains strength the Arch-Duke Maximilian will be tendered the throne of Mexico.

It is asserted that the French government is determined to revise the navigation laws.

There are popular demonstrations in Parma and Florence against the Pope’s temporal power and in favor of Victor Emanuel’s.

QUEENSTOWN, 6th. – The Federal gunboat Tuscarora left Cowes Thursday morning for the westward.

LONDON, 5th. – The Spanish Ministry deny that any arrangements have been made for Mexico, and declare that the Mexicans will be free to choose their own government.

The Paris Moniteur says the allies must complete their work by giving Mexico, in accordance with the wishes of the nation, a strong and durable government.

PARIS, Feb. 6. – A committee has been appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the regulation of the indemnity due from Mexico to France.

MADRID. Feb. 6. – Correspondence is received, saying that Sumter was still lying at St. Roche, not having funds enough to pay expenses she has incurred.

The U. S. Consul has given a banquet at Cadiz to the former prisoners of the Sumter.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 20, 1862, p. 1