The Second Iowa

We learn that Co. A. had two killed, of whom John A Hough was one.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862

Edward Deforest Lunt

Edward Deforest Lunt, b. July 11, 1844. He was an apprentice in the Iowa State Register Office at Des Moines, Iowa. He enlisted Oct. 14, 1861, as a private in Co. B, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, and at the expiration of his term of service reenlisted as a veteran Dec. 1863; participated in the sieges of Corinth, Vicksburgh, and Atlanta, and in all the battles of the 17th Army Corps up to July 22, 1864, when he was captured, being a corporal. He was held prisoner until paroled Dec. 10, 1864, and confined at Andersonville, Charleston, and Florence, S. C. He was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, Aug. 3, 1865. He has since been engaged in the practical business of printing at Corry, Pa., and Des Moines, Iowa, and since May, 1868, has been proprietor and conductor with a partner (Frank Morgan, Esq.), of the Glenwood Opinion published at Glenwood, Iowa. He m. Nov. 11, 1867, at Des Moines, Augusta Eleonora Longshore, b. Feb. 9, 1849 (dau. of ...... Longshore of Delaware, O., and editor of the Adams Co. Gazette, of Corning, Iowa. He is a master Mason, and is also postmaster now at Corning).

SOURCE: Benjamin Woodbridge Dwight, The History Of The Descendants Of Elder John Strong, Of Northampton, Mass.,  p. 139-40

John A. Danielson

John A. Danielson, enlisted in Company H, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, as a private, rose to the rank of Captain and was wounded at the battle of Shiloh from the effects of which he died.

SOURCE: Portrait And Biographical Album Of Jefferson And Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Lake City Publishing Company, Chicago, IL, 1890, p. 415, abstracted from the biographical sketch of his father, Frank O. Danielson

Mr. Sample and other people . . .

. . . we presume, understand it to be within the scope of our editorial duties and obligations to expose by name, persons in our community who express sympathizing sentiments or manifest disloyal proclivities.  And in that view of our obligations we fall under their censure for failure of duty in our columns this morning.  Now while the present case may be one justifying public reprehension, it did not strike us as sufficiently serious or so dangerous as to demand at our hands the necessary labor required to hunt up the evidence, get at the precise facts and merits, and become responsible for the proper presentation of them to the public.  Mr. Sample has assumed that responsibility in the present case and vouches for the truth of the statement over his own signature, and we give it circulation in doing so we would simply say that there are scores in our city whose sentiments are not less obnoxious than those attributed to Mr. Garber, and as the ball is now opened they had better “dry up” and dance to the music of the Union or make tracks for Dubuque with convenient dispatch.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862

Western Stage Co.

The Adjutant General last night concluded arrangements with the Western Stage Co. for transportation of the sick and wounded soldiers, and with a liberality worthy of all commendation, Col. Hooker, in behalf of the Co., agrees to convey the sick and disabled at one half fare and the wounded in battle free.  Thousands in the State will thank Col. Hooker and the Stage Co. for their generosity. – Des Moines Register, 25th.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

A Rock Island Rebel

Yesterday morning, after the arrival of the morning train from Chicago, John A. Quinlan was discovered airing himself by promenading in Rock Island.  Being recognized, he was at once nabbed.  John had the misfortune to be taken prisoner at Fort Donelson, and was brought to Camp Douglas, whence he escaped and came to Rock Island yesterday morning.  There was where John ‘put his foot in it.’  It appears he is suspected of having forged a large quantity of county orders in Rock Island a year or two ago, and this is considered a fine opportunity to ‘haul him over the coals’ for it.  Quinlan was formerly a deputy sheriff in Rock Island county.  Subsequent to joining the secession army, he wrote our sister city, and expressed a desire to see some of its soldiers down South, so that he could scalp them.  John will be cured of his blood-thirstiness by the time the people of Rock Island get through with him.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

Fort Pulaski after the Bombardment

Correspondence of the New Haven Palladium.

FORT PULASKI, Monday, May 4.

It is now more [than] three weeks since Pulaski was taken.  During the time which has intervened our men aided by one company of the Third Rhode Island have been busily employed in clearing away the rubbish which they themselves caused, carting new brick and preparing the crumbled walls for a speedy rebuilding.  The wooden dwellings in the vicinity of the fort, some of which were badly riddled by erring shots, have been repaired by our carpenters, and now serve for quartering troops, for hospitals, bakeries, &c.  A large dock connected with us by means of a plank road affords an excellent place for landing supplies from vessels thereby obviating the mud and water process that had to be resorted to in our previous location.  Around the interior of the fort were blindages – huge sticks of timber, measuring from twelve to sixteen inches square and thirty feet in length, and in number about seventeen hundred.  These were leaned against the wall at an angle of about 45 degrees.  By this artificial process the inmates hoped to baffle the effects of our shell, but all their plans were unavailing.  The James projectile and the mortar shells were driven through them as easily as though they were but paste.  These have all been pulled down and dragged outside of the demilune.  Deep ditches which were dug to counter act the effect of bursting shell have been filled in, heavy embankments and traverses thrown up for protection have been leveled off – all improvements like these, not only give us more room for evolutions but also add to the general appearance of our new home, remove the spirit of desolation and ruin that seemed to pervade every work and corner when we entered here.

It is no uncommon thing for the workmen on the outer walls to find the conical Parrott shell imbedded in solid brick masonry to a depth of five feet – I mean of course the unexploded ones, that failed on account of the percussion cap on the cone not igniting.

The work of rebuilding is under the superintendence of Lieut. O’Rourke, of the regular army.  It is not intended ever to replace what is undone as brick forts hereafter will be among the things that were.  Simply patch it up so as to make it tenantable and leave it in that condition.

A few days subsequent to the surrender of the place, the water in the moat was drawn off and our men busied themselves for days at intervals, in dragging for and fishing up articles of personal property, and likewise arms, equipments, &c., which the rebels instead of honorably surrendering them had thrown into the mud.  A package of some eighty letters, which, when found, were lying in close proximity to a daguerreotype of some Southern miss, were unfortunately so water soaked as to be illegible, and consequently no “secrets” betrayed to Yankee curiosity.  Huge bowie knives, probably fashioned with the intention of making our hair stand on end at the mere sight of them were consigned to a like watery grave while muskets, rifles, bayonets, swords, &c., were found in rich abundance.

What spare time the men get between hours of drill or labor, they amuse themselves in a variety of ways – fishing, hunting fowl on the land, and crocodiles on the river.  One of the latter was killed a few days since, which measured nine feet from tip to tip.

Prof. Starkweather is here with his balloon, the Washington, and will make an ascension to-morrow, wind and weather permitting. – The balloon is to be inflated moved to a steamboat, and taken up the river as far as practicable, so that whoever accompanies him will have a fair chance of seeing the sights in Savannah, in advance of us, who are obliged to wait  a time with patience until the train is ready to move forward.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 1

Arrival Of Capt. Slaymaker's Body

The body of Capt. J. S. Slaymaker arrived last evening on the eastern train.  It will be conveyed to its last resting place this afternoon.  The following is the

ORDER OF THE FUNERAL.

The Funeral obsequies of the late Capt. Jonathan Smith Slaymaker, of the Iowa 2d, who fell while bravely leading his command in the storming of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, on the 15th inst., will take place from St. Luke’s Church, Thursday, Feb. 27th, (this day) at 2 o’clock P. M.

The body seats will be reserved for the immediate friends of the deceased and the military.  Seats for the clergy will be provided in the chancel.

The services will be conducted by the Rev. H. N. Powers, assisted by Rt. Rev. H. W. Lee, D. D.

After exercises at the church, the remains will be conveyed to Oakdale Cemetery, under an escort from the 16th regiment, followed by friends and citizens in procession.

Carriages will be in attendance at the church for the returned soldiers of the Iowa 2d.

Committee of Arrangements,

JOHN L. SWITS

DAVID S. TRUE

JOHN L. DAVIES

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

Soldiers Of The Iowa Second

Those of this regiment who are in this vicinity and desire to attend the funeral of their fellow soldier, Capt. Slaymaker, this afternoon, will please leave their names and address with Mr. Eldridge, at the Post office, and they will be called for.  All of them who were at Fort Donelson are cordially invited and desired to attend.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

Not Dead

Mr. J. A. Paden, of Co. E, 2d Cavalry, whose death was reported a few weeks ago, writes home to his father, under date of Feb. 22d, that he has heard the report himself, but doesn’t believe it; and as he is good authority on the subject, we don’t believe it either, but hope he may live yet many years.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

16th Regiment

This regiment will soon be in a condition to take the field.  The following general order from Adj. Gen. Baker looks that way: – “All officers recruiting for the 16th Iowa Infantry, under commissions from this office, will report themselves with recruits at Camp McClellan, Davenport, forthwith.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

Capt. Gregg . . .

. . . one of the heroes of Ft. Donelson, arrived at Rock Island on Monday evening, on a furlough of a couple of days.  He is in the best of spirits.  He brought many trophies with him.  His company lost one man killed, two wounded and one missing.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

William W. Nelson, M. D.

WILLIAM W. NELSON, M. D., has for thirty years been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in this community.  His home is in Birmingham.  He was born on November 30, 1834, in Wayne County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Wilson) Nelson.  His father was born in Mercer County, Pa., December 4, 1790, and was descended from Irish ancestry.  He Served in the War of 1812, and in Pennsylvania, he married Miss Elizabeth Wilson, who was born in Ireland, May 25, 1791, and who, in her childhood accompanied her parents to this country and located in Pennsylvania. Soon after their marriage they removed in 1817, to Wayne County, Ohio, near Rowsburg, where Mr. Nelson engaged in farming until 1836, when he removed to Richland County, (now Ashland) and located on a farm near Savannah until 1845, when he traded his land in that locality for a tract in Washington Township, Van Buren County, Iowa, to which he then removed. He was a Whig, afterward an Abolitionist and in turn became a Republican. Both he and his wife were members of the Associate Presbyterian Church, but afterward joined the United Presbyterian. He died September 24, 1860, and Mrs. Nelson passed away on the 7th of October, 1858. In their family were nine children, of whom seven lived to be adults, while three are yet living — Hugh, a farmer of Van Buren County; Ann, widow of Joseph Dawson, of Washington County, Iowa, and the Doctor.

Our subject is the youngest of the family. Having attended the district schools, he was not content to consider his education then finished but through his own resources acquired the means by which he was enabled to attend Washington College for two years. His taste lay in the line of medical practice and in 1857, he went to Wooster, Ohio, where he read medicine with Drs. Day & Wilson. During the winter of 1858-9, he attended a course of lectures in the medical department of the Iowa State University at Keokuk, and the following year completed a course of study in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pa., where he graduated March 12, 1860, although he has continued a student up to the present time, keeping himself well informed on all matters pertaining to the profession, its discoveries and the advancement made in the science.

Soon after his graduation, Dr. Nelson was united in marriage on March 20, 1860, with Miss Almira Matthews, a native of Lawrence County, Pa., born July 22, 1839. Immediately after he returned with his bride to Van Buren County, locating in Pierceville, in the summer of 1860, where they began their domestic life. On the 19th of August, 1862, he was commissioned by Gov. Kirkwood as First Assistant Surgeon ,of the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, and mustered into service by Lieut. Charles J. Ball of the Thirteenth Infantry, United States mustering officer. September 14, 1862, at Keokuk. He joined his regiment at Iuka. Miss., but soon afterward was taken with malarial fever and lay in the general hospital at Corinth, Miss., some three weeks, suffering severely, and recovering, he then rejoined his regiment at Grand Junction, Tenn. In the spring of 1863, he was ordered to take charge of a smallpox hospital at Lake Province, La., by order of Gen. McPherson. After a month he was relieved and placed in charge of the Sixth Division Pioneer Corps, commanded by Capt. Davis, of the Thirty-second I1linois Infantry. Returning to his regiment in August, 1863, he had charge of the sick of the brigade when the regiments went on the march to Monroe, La. After a short sickness and an absence, on furlough, of twenty days, given by Gen. Grant at Vicksburg. he rejoined his regiment and had charge of two companies detached for duty at the arsenal near Vicksburg, and also had charge of a pioneer corps and engineer regiment commanded by Capt. John Wilson. He remained with the above command until the spring of 1864, when he was placed in charge of non-veterans and recruits of the Iowa Brigade, and had charge of this detachment until their respective commands joined them near Huntsville, Ala., when he was placed in charge of the Third Iowa Veteran Infantry, with which he remained until it was consolidated with the Second Veteran Infantry near Jones' Plantation, Ga., on Sherman's march to the sea. Thereafter, the Doctor rejoined his regiment and from December 22, 1864, until he was mustered out he was the only medical officer with the command. He participated in the battles of Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta, and Bentonsville [sic], and the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., May 24, 1865, and was mustered out with his regiment at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865, at the close of the war. In the fall of the same year, the Doctor located in Birmingham, where he has since been successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, with the exception of 1874, when with his family he visited the Pacific coast in the pursuit of health and returned the following year. He has a good record as a physician and surgeon, as is indicated by a liberal patronage. He holds the office of Secretary of the United States Pension Examining Board, of his county, is a Republican in politics and the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of improved land. Unto himself and wife were horn seven children of whom two died in infancy. Those living are as follows: Meldon W., a farmer of Lick Creek Township, Van Buren County; Nettie X.; Minnie A., wife of Allen B. Adams, of Selma; Audley E. and Mary L., who are students at Parsons College. The family holds a high position in the social world and the Doctor has won a like enviable rank in the medical fraternity. In religious sentiment the Doctor and his wife are independent, and anti-sectarian.

Mrs. Nelson's grandfather, Jacob Matthews, was born in Maryland, in 1775. His ancestors were of Alsace, France, or of German descent. He married Miss Mary Boyl, who was born in Ireland, and their family consisted of three children, one son and two daughters. At an early day they moved to Lawrence County, Pa., and located on a farm near Edenburg. He served in the War of 1812, and died at the age of eighty-four. His only son, Phillip Matthews, Mrs. Nelson's father, married Miss Nancy Book, of the same county. Their family consisted of ten children, two sons and eight daughters. One son and two daughters died in childhood. The other son, George B. Matthews, Mrs. Nelson's remaining brother, served four years in the One Hundredth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness. One sister died at maturity, and three still survive.

SOURCE: Portrait And Biographical Album Of Jefferson And Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Lake City Publishing Company, Chicago, IL, 1890, p. 365-6

The First Rock Island Company . . .

. . . which left there last April, and re-enlisted for the war, was in the thickest of the fight at Fort Donelson, Commanded by First Lieutenant Kochler.  They had five men wounded, and two taken prisoners.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

The Steamer J. D. Perry . . .

. . . brought up to St. Louis the bodies of Capts. Slaymaker and Cloutman, and the wounded person of Major Chapman, all of the Iowa Second.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

The Soldier’s Aid Society . . .

. . . will meet on Friday morning at 9 o’clock, at Odd Fellows’ Hall

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 1

Judge Springer

We print the following suggestions from a member of the Lee county bar with pleasure.  Should it be the wish of the people of the District to vote for and re-elect Judge Springer without the formality of a nomination and without distinction of party we shall certainly make no objection.

FORT MADISON, May 26, 62

C. DUNHAM, ESQ. – The District Court of Lee County has now been in session at this place for a week and the business is progressing well.  We shall get through the docket this week, leaving scarcely a fragment of it undecided.

The mingling together of so many lawyers, has naturally lead to much conversation about the election of a Judge, which is to come off this fall and I am gratified to find that the public are anxious to retain the services of Judge Springer.  He has for the last four years discharged his duties with such ability and firmness as to win the confidence of all.  He came upon the bench with reluctance at a time when the dockets were crowded in a manner never before known in this country, and in a district by far the heaviest in the State, he has succeeded in clearing up those dockets and the business is now done easily and promptly as it arises.

Having acquired an experience in the transaction of the Judicial business, which renders his services more valuable than before, I hope we shall retain him and I should be very happy to see him proposed and elected without distinction of party.  Why should this not be done?  He is eminently qualified to be useful in that position.  He has gone through four years of immense toil.  His devotion to the Government is ardent, and to turn him out now by party nominations even if it could be done, would seem unwise if not ungrateful.

Permit me to add that I think it is the desire of the bar and the people of this county, that he should be re-elected and that without reference to old party lines which have divided Democrats and Republicans, and we are all agreed that the office is one which should be kept out of politics.  I hope this will be done.

A MEMBER OF THE BAR.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 1

Benjamin Johnston

Benjamin Johnston was the only child of James and Sarah Johnston. He acquired his education in the common schools and under the direction of Rev. Dr. Lane, but on the breaking out of the late war he laid aside his text books and responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company E, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, on the 14th of October, 1861. The regiment was mustered in at Keokuk, Iowa, where it remained until March 18, 1862, when it was sent to Benton Barracks and equipped. The first engagement in which the forces participated was the battle of Pittsburg Landing. This was followed by the [siege] of Corinth and other engagements and at the battle of Iuka they were in the skirmish line but did not engage in the fight proper. They afterwards returned to Corinth, taking part in the hard fought battle which occurred at that place and later proceeded on the Grant campaign until the supplies were cut off when they returned to Memphis, Tenn. They participated in the siege of Vicksburg and spent the remainder of the summer in the city. The following December he and many of his comrades veteranized and later he was commissioned First Lieutenant in the Sixty-seventh United States Colored Infantry. Throughout his entire service Mr. Johnston proved a faithful and stalwart soldier who was not afraid to perform his duty, but quietly and promptly discharged every task devolving upon him. On the 14th of August, 1865, at his own request he was discharged.

On his return from the South Mr. Johnston secured a position as salesman in a drug house, after which he went upon the road as a commercial traveler. The summer of 1874, he spent in Kansas but the grasshopper proved such a plague that the same fall he returned and once more obtained a position as salesman. In 1875, he again traveled on the road, after which be embarked in the drug business for himself, continuing operations in that line for eighteen months. He began preparations for his present business in 1877, reading law under the direction of Judge Robert Sloan and the following April was admitted to the bar, since which time he has been in active practice.

Mr. Johnston was married in Keosauqua in 1867, the lady being Miss Annie R., daughter of A. J. Purviancc. Six children have been born unto them — Maggie, who is a graduate of the high school of Keosauqua and of the School of Phonography, of Des Moines; James, a telegraph operator; Mary, Ella, Sarah and Donald, who are still with their parents. Socially, Mr. Johnston is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He takes great interest in civic societies and has held important offices in the various lodges to which he belongs. In 1886, he was elected County Attorney of Van Buren County, serving two years. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican, frequently serving as delegate to county and State conventions and has been a member of the State Central Committee. He does all in his power to advance the interests of the party and secure its success, yet has never sought political preferment for himself. By those who know him Mr. Johnston is held in high esteem, which he well merits for he has lived a worthy, upright life, is a good citizen, an able lawyer, and more than all, a trusted friend in whom one can place implicit confidence.

SOURCE: Portrait And Biographical Album Of Jefferson And Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Lake City Publishing Company, Chicago, IL, 1890, p. 256-7

What The Conservatives Say

Elsewhere we give the views of a few of the leading papers that have heretofore been considered moderate and conservative.  It will be well for those who would so tenaciously adhere to slavery and would save it though all else be destroyed, to mark well the words of President Lincoln and take note of the signs of the times.  If these gentlemen, who are doubtless good Union men, would save slavery, they can employ themselves better than denouncing the radicals and trying to scare people out of their humanity and common sense by the no longer terrible epithet of ‘Abolitionist.’  This sort of thing has been played out.  The Border State men had better use their powers of ridicule and denunciation upon the Secessionists.  If they would save their ebony chattels and still grow rich upon their increase let them take up arms against the enemies of the country and aid to clear their States of secesh.  While the best blood of the country is being poured out to defend their lives, their homes and their property, it does not become them to revile their defenders.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 1

More Outrages On The Constitution

It is evident that the Baltimore Secesh, who undertook to rejoice and be merry over the disaster to the Federal arms on the Shenandoah, were roughly handled, unceremoniously knocked down and dragged out by their loyal fellow citizens.  This was an unquestionable violation of the freedom of speech and personal rights, - a high handed outrage upon the “Con-sti-too-shun,” – highly dangerous to the liberties of some folks, and if it should become general throughout the county a good many persons would have to keep very quiet or “wipe bloody noses.”  As this outrage happened in the military department of Gen. Dix, holding his office under the President, we suggest to the Vallandighammers to howl a little.  The Iowa Resurectionists ought to work this item up into effective shape.  It will also be observed that the Baltimore newspapers were all compelled to run up the Star Spangled Banner.  This was the hardest feature in the whole affair.  Let Father Mahoney, the amiable and exemplary Sheward, and the respectable Hendershot take it home to themselves, and give us a constitutional leader with a sensation head.  Charge it home on the Baltimore “Abolitionists” and “Radicals,” and then make President Lincoln and the Republican party carry the load.

                                                                                                    

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 1