Local Matters

An elegant stock of lace and embroidered curtains can be found at Wadsworth’s.  Also the largest and best stock of house-keeping goods in the city.

KEROSENE OIL – PRICES REDUCED. – The best quality of Kerosene Oil for sale at 40 cents per gallon, by Dart & Sons, No. 2, Lesslie’s block, Front street.

GAME. – During the last season, there were shipped from Iowa City 114,744, or 9,562 dozen quails.  At this rate it would seem as though the game of our State would soon be thinned out.

PHOTOGRAPHIC ALBUMS. – The largest assortment of Photographic Albums ever seen in this region can be found at Devoe & Crampton’s, Rock Island.  Cloth, leather, turkey, morocco, and velvet binding, for 12, 24, 36, 40, 50 and $1.00.  Card photographs.  Prices from 50 cents to $10.00.

IN these dull days for business, it is refreshing to notice the rush for bargains, which can be daily seen at the dry-goods and carpet establishment of L. Kiesow & Co., Rock Island.  There must be a good reason for their success – the good crossing of the river probably helped them to much of our trade.

THE CAMPBELL MINSTRELS closed their entertainments last evening before a very respectable audience.  Their performances certainly have the merit of being about as laughter-provoking, side-splitting an exhibition as is given by any troupe that travels. – They exhibit in Rock Island this evening.

WEATHER. – Slippy, slushy, muddy, murky, rainy, were all combined yesterday.  The walking was in intensely delicate operation, requiring some practical knowledge of gymnastics, in order to preserve a proper equilibrium.  Pedestrianism therefore was at a discount, and little business was done, farmers not venturing in town.

ANOTHER ARTIST. – Mr. Rouse is not alone as a crayon artist in our city.  We have seen some very good pictures which were executed by Miss B. Johnson, at the Le Claire House, and they promise very much for her future success.  Miss Johnson’s delineations are very accurate and lifelike, as a visit to her studio will attest.

SINGULAR. – We noticed yesterday morning as one of the singular circumstances attendant upon the sudden change of temperature, a number of pigeons in our yard unable to fly from the congealing of the rain of their wings!  They were driven under shelter until ‘thawed out’ when they took wings and left for their cotes.

FREE LECTURE. – Dr. Wagner will give another free lecture at Le Claire Hall this evening.  On Monday evening he gives his great lecture on Matrimony – to ladies and gentlemen.  After the lecture a large number of ladies and gentlemen will be selected from the audience and happily mated.

A NORTHERN SCENE. – The trees and bushes presented a beautiful appearance yesterday morning.  The rain of the previous night had congealed and every limb and twig was coated with ice.  Had the sun shone out brightly the spectacle would have been as brilliant as some of the gorgeous scenes described in the fascinating Arabian Nights.  It was attended with some danger, however, for one to lift his eyes from the pavement before him to look upon the icy scene around him as the bricks were more slippery than holy ground.

ADVERTISING. – ‘There are few people,’ says the Dubuque Times, ‘who understand the law of advertising.’  Truer words were probably never spoken, at least as far as they apply to the business men of our western country.  Whoever will take up an English paper – almost any one – will see how the ‘nation of shopkeepers’ attends to this business.  Page after page is filled with their advertisements.  If any one has a new invoice of dry goods, it must be ‘put in the paper,’ a new bill of groceries must be announced in the same way, each article received being separately mentioned in a business-like manner.  A horse or cow wanted or for sale is told of in the same way.  Many things which some people here go about as if they were afraid the world would know it, are blazoned all abroad by the English business man.  These remarks are particularly applicable to the English country papers.  In some of our Eastern cities, the secret of successful advertising is nearly as correctly understood.  Not the least effective of the causes which have enabled New York to keep so far ahead of Philadelphia in point of population, and far more so in respect to commercial importance and intercourse with the rest of the country has been admitted by Philadelphians to be the far more liberal advertising of New York merchants, which operated to their own benefit by attracting business to themselves, and also by enabling their journals through the liberal support thus rendered, to furnish better papers, to enlarge their correspondence, and to obtain the latest news from every part of the world.  The newspapers thus encouraged gave to New York an increased importance, and continually brought to her markets the merchants of the whole country.  Boston has been helped in the same way and her business probably ahead of any other city in the Union except New York, in proportion to the population.  This is the experience of Eastern cities, and shall it be lost on the cities of Iowa?  The same opportunities are before our merchants to give their respective cities importance in the eyes of the world, and to increase their commercial intercourse with the “rest of mankind.”  Davenport surely cannot afford to throw away the splendid chance of becoming the metropolis of Iowa by a short-sighted economy on the part of her business men.  Truly said the wise king, “There is that scattereth, yet increaseth; there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.”

THE RIVER, we hear, is open as far up as Keokuk.  At this point the ice is still firm for footmen, but no teams have crossed for two days.  The St. Louis Democrat says that a steamer has arrived at Peoria, and boats are regularly leaving St. Louis for that place.

The Northern Line packets, we see by their advertisement intend to run only three boats a week the coming season.  The Minnesota Packet Company has withdrawn its boats from that line; while the Northern Line company will send two of its boats on the route between here and Galena.  These will be the Bill Henderson, and, the favorite steamer Fred. Lorenz.  The Belfast, Capt. Carlton, owned in this county, will run regularly between here and St. Louis, on the opening of navigation.  We now look longingly for the re-opening of the river, hoping to witness in consequence a reanimation of business, such as we have not seen in Iowa for years, if ever.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

Pulpit Changes

We mentioned some days since the vacation of the pulpit of the Wabash Avenue M. E. Church, of Chicago, by the removal of Rev. Henry Cox to St. Louis.  His place has been filled by Rev. L. Collier, formerly of this city, but now of Iowa City.  The place of the latter, we learn, has been supplied by Rev. Mr. Kendig, ex-chaplain of the 9^th Iowa regiment, but who declined his position of account of ill-health.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

No Dispatches

The lovely weather yesterday had the effect to choke off telegraphic dispatches more completely than Secretary Stanton ever thought of.  Not a line was vouchsaved us, but we’ll probably hear something this morning, and if it be sufficient importance will proclaim it to the world in an EXTRA GAZETTE.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

WASHINGTON, March 13.

Leonard F. Ross, Col. of the 17^th Illinois, and Capt. Ricketts, of the 1^st U. S. artillery, (the latter of whom was imprisoned some time at Richmond,) have been nominated Brigadier Generals.

A sub-committee of the conduct of the war committee visit Manassas to-day, to investigate the actual condition of that place, with a view to discover the enemy’s strength and defenses at the time when our Generals were still hesitating.

It is ascertained that a citizen of Massachusetts made the first advance on the rebel strongholds on Sunday morning.  Roving beyond our lines, he gradually neared Centerville, and seeing no enemy, he boldly marched within the entrenchments and contemplated with surprise the wooden guns with black mouths mounted there.  He pushed on to Manassas, and “occupied” both places until Monday, when he turned them over to the four corps d’armee.  His testimony has been taken by the conduct of the war committee.

Garrett Davis made almost a disunion speech in the Senate yesterday, on the bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, saying that Kentucky should be a “La Vendee” before she would submit to see slavery touched even in the cotton States by unconstitutional legislation or any other.  Mr. Hale, of N. H., continued the debate.

Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, from the House judiciary committee, reported a bill reorganizing the Supreme Court, as an amendment to the Senate bill.  The eighth circuit consists of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin; the ninth of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas.

Negroes are flocking in from Virginia by the hundreds.  It is estimated that at least one-tenth of the servile population of this section are freed by the retreat of the rebels.  All entertain the notion that their freedom follows the advance of our armies.  One gang of twenty-five arrived this morning.

All who were at Centreville agree that there was only a shadow of an army there.  No heavy guns were ever mounted except wooden ones.  The entrenchments on their flank and rear were feeble.  The railroad to Manassas is of poor construction.  Trees are cut down so as to disclose the plains of Manassas.  Part of the huts were burned; part were standing.  Among the spoils remaining were thousands of hides.  A deserter says that a regular mail from Washington via Alexandria, came twice or thrice weekly.

The House to-day discussed the first and second sections of the tax bill, the question whether any mode of collection through State machinery was practicable.  No vote was taken, but the inclination of the House seemed to favor collection by the United States.

Senator Grimes, of Iowa, made a vigorous and eloquent speech on the resolution giving thanks to Flag Officer Foote.  He was listened to with marked attention, and enforced congratulations from Senators of all shades of opinion.  He gave the Western navy its due – showed by documentary evidence that the credit of the plan of attack on Forts Henry and Donelson belonged to Capt. Foote, and that he would have taken Nashville the week before Buell did; and thus saved valuable stores, if he had been permitted by Gen. Halleck.  Mr. Grimes, enlarged upon the value of a navy to a free people, and incidentally alluded to the Monitor and the Merrimac fight as showing the value of iron-clad vessels, whose construction he (Grimes) had urged since he took his seat in the Senate.  He had also paid a handsome tribute to Lieut. Worden and Capt. Ericson.

The bill organizing the Territory of Arizona attaches the Wilmot Proviso to that and to all other Territories hereafter organized.  Ashley’s Territorial bill was defeated yesterday by the absence of Republicans.  Wilkinson will introduce the same bill from the Senate Territorial Committee, and it will probably come down to the House.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

John W. Hall, Private, Co. K, 7th Missouri State Militia Cavalry: Pension Index Card

SOURCE: Civil War And Later Veterans Pension Index at Fold3.com

From The Eighth Iowa Infantry

SEDALIA, Mo., March 10, 1862.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAVENPORT GAZETTE. – The time we have been wishing to arrive has, I believe, come at last.  An order has been received by our Col. ordering our regiment to the seat of war.  Orders of this kind are you know, usually exceedingly brief – simply stating the fact, and leaving the point of destination in interesting and exciting obscurity, thus giving ample scope for those in camp who have to speculate on the unseen and unknown, to exercise their speculative features.  I believe the present order commands our regiment to proceed to St. Louis so soon as railroad cars for men, baggage, mules, horses, wagons, &c. shall have been sent here in sufficient number for our removal.  When we reach St. Louis we shall probably learn more definitely where we are bound for.  From what I have been able to learn from authentic sources, it seems a brigade of Iowa troops is soon to be formed, to be commanded by Brig. Gen. McKean, and designed to take an active part in the fighting which is expected to be done in Kentucky, Tennessee or further South.  This brigade is to consist of the 6^th, 8^th, 11^th and 13^th Iowa Infantry, all of which are now stationed at different points along the Pacific RR.  One regiment will probably get off to-morrow evening or the next morning.  Our boys are all rejoiced at the prospect of meeting the enemies of our country and flag in open and fair field fight.  We are quite willing to leave “bush wacking,” for the more honorable civilized mode of warfare.  Remembering the caution, “let not him that putteth on his armor boast himself as much as he that taketh it off;” we make no promises or protestations, further than that we will do what we can to maintain in undimmed brightness, and if we are able add to the luster of that glorious halo which already surrounds the arms of the State of Iowa.  We have full confidence in our field and line officers, none less in the valor and patriotism of our men.

The order to march was received by our Col. – sent on to him by an express from Sedalia – while on

A SCOUTING EXPEDITION.

Information had been brought by refugees that an organized band, variously estimated at from 300 to 1,000, under the command of Jackman and Marchbank, recruiting officers holding the rank of Captain in Price’s army, was stealing, robbing and murdering in Bates Co. and the lower portion of Henry Co.  This information being regarded as reliable, Col. Geddes determined to pay his compliments to these armed marauders in a way they would be likely to remember.  Last Monday morning, Mch. 3d, he left Sedalia for the purpose of executing this determination.  The force which he commanded in person, consisted of the 1^st battalion 1^st Iowa cavalry, under Maj. Torrence, five Cos. 8^th Iowa infantry, under Lieut. Col. Ferguson and Maj. Andrews, three Cos. 26^th Indiana and two of the 6^th Missouri, under Maj. Clark (this battalion was sent up from Otterville,) and one section 1^st Mo. light artillery, under Lieut. Marr.  The weather was exceedingly cold, the wind blowing strong and freezing across the prairies and directly in our faces.  Nothing of interest occurred the first day out.  The second day, in temperature and wind, was like unto the first.  We passed through the village of Belmont, formerly very strongly “secesh,” now almost deserted, and thence onward to  Clinton, the county seat of Henry Co., When near this place the advance guard was ordered to charge on the town, and guard every load leading out.  This order was promptly and well executed.  When the command came up we found about 40 persons “corralled.”  A motley group this; clothed in various colored home-made linsey, divers[e] and curious head rigging in the shape of what were or had been hats and caps, with blankets white and blankets grey thrown over their shoulders and ingeniously fastened about the neck.  We had come upon the town unexpectedly, and with a rapidity which gave the fellows from the country, who were in town, no chance for escape.  Doubtless most of those we caught had been in Price’s army – perhaps some belonged to Jackman’s band. – One man was taken on a Government horse branded U. S., with a Government saddle; two we took along with us and have brought into Sedalia.  The balance, as nothing could be proved against them, were sworn en masse and turned loose. – It was a novel sight, that – forty men, more or less, with uncovered head and right hand uplifted, swear allegiance to the Constitution and the “Old Flag,” and to repudiate the Jefferson D. confederacy.  I fear they will not all keep that oath.  That night we went on to the Deep Water, and lay out in the timber on its bank.  We were well sheltered from the wind, but the ground was frozen hard, and where I lay down not very smooth.  Next Morning we were up by daylight, and by sunrise we were on our way to one Rickey’s store, a notorious stronghold and headquarters of the thieving rebel band where we expected to meet the enemy in force.  In this we were disappointed.  The rebels by some means found we were too strong for them, and ran for their hiding places like rabbits.  As we approached the store, we could see mounted men on all sides, hastening with all dispatch across the prairie to the timber.  They were too far from us, and too near the timber, to send out cavalry in pursuit.  Soon as the command came up to the store, skirmishers of infantry were sent out through the timber, and scouts of cavalry over the prairies in different directions.  Some of our skirmishers had the pleasure of exchanging shots with the rebels, and returned late in the afternoon, with a diversity of fire-arms, and many prisoners.  The cavalry were out all night, and next morning brought in between 20 and 30 prisoners and arms in proportion.  Among the prisoners was Capt. Marchbank.  The scouting party which took him got after Jackman, but he, being acquainted with the country, and well mounted, while our horses were jaded with the three days’ and one night’s hard riding, escaped their grasp.  Next evening our command started from Round Prairie, taking an occasional prisoner and fire-arm as we passed along.  Soon as the men could get at it, skirmishing and scouting parties were sent out.  Cos. C & K had a very interesting skirmish with some rebel pickets, killing one and capturing several of their horses.  We had by this time 60 or 70 prisoners, about as many firearms – rifles, muskets, shot guns, carbines, &c., - three kegs of powder, and several pounds of shot.  The afternoon and evening at headquarters were very busily occupied in examining the prisoners and administering the oath, requiring bonds, and then turning them loose, or remanding them again to the charge of our soldiers for safe conduct to this place. – Thinking that perhaps some of your readers may be curious to know what we make the fellows swear I send you a copy of the

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.

“Without mental reservation, I do most solemnly swear, in the presence of God whom I call to witness my sincerity and fidelity, that I do, and will hereafter continue to bear true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States and to the old flag, ‘the stars and stripes;’ that I do, and will forever repudiate all allegiance to, or sympathy with the so-called Confederate States of America; and that I will never aid or abet, or render any assistance or comfort by word or act, or in any way or manner to the so-called Confederate States of America, so help me God.”  This oath was gotten up by one of our number for the occasion, and was taken by no less than thirty-six, whose names and places of residence I have carefully recorded.

While at Round Prairie the order to go South reached our Colonel.  It was his intention to give the rebels in that neighborhood a longer benefit, but the order cut our visit short.

Friday morning we took the back track, bringing along with us several Union refugee families whose neighbors would not allow them to remain.  This action of the refugees – coming away under the protection of our command – excited still more the ire of their enemies, who hung in squads about our rear threatening an attack, which, however, they were prudent enough not to attempt.  This afternoon information was brought Col. Geddes that a band of about 150 rebels were skulking in some timber a little off our line of march.  He immediately sent out a detachment of cavalry who engaged in a skirmish with them, but neither killed or captured any.  In this skirmish a man was slightly wounded in the neck by two buckshot, and his horse was killed.  This was the only casualty in our command.  We went in camp Friday night having marched that day 34 miles.

Saturday we came on to Sedalia.  The command came in about 4 P. M., making 36 miles.  It will be seen that in less and two days we marched 70 miles.  This, I think, will be admitted on all hands, as very good marching for Infantry, even though they did ride in wagons drawn by mules.  The aggregate distance was about 150 miles, exclusive of the extra miles, and they were many – travelled by skirmishers and scouting parties.

We brought in with out about 30 prisoners, who in due time will be tried, and some of them, I think, sent to the penitentiary at Alton.

The country through which we passed was very fine indeed.  I cannot conceive of a better agricultural country.  Our course was southwest through broad rich prairies, well supplied with timber and streams of water.

It has not yet transpired what Infantry regiment will take our place here.  Nearly all the 1^st Iowa Cavalry are now here, the balance will be in a few days.

I hope to write you again before many days, and to have the satisfaction of dating my letter many miles south of Sedalia.  I trust the onward movement may be pressed with activity and vigor, till secessionists are swept from “Secessia” into the Southern Gulf.  Let us nail to the flag-staff a red flag on which is emblazoned in indelible characters the watchword “Forward to victory,” and bear it in advance of the glorious old “Stars and Stripes,” till this revered ensign floats triumphantly over the tomb of Rebellion, and the dishonored ashes of traitors.

Yours, &c.

C.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

Charles Knapp, Corporal, 3rd Iowa Light Artillery

Lieut. Craig . . .

. . . whose marriage we publish, having occurred last evening, enjoys a short honeymoon, as he leaves this morning with his regiment.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

Married

On the 12^th inst., by Rev. J. G. Dimmitt, Mr. A. LUDDEN, of Clinton Co., to Mrs. ANN B. LEWIS, of this city.

Also on the 14^th inst., by the same, Mr. JOSHUA M. CRAIG, of Iowa City, to Miss MARTHA M. MATTHEWS, of this city.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

Dr. J. H. Camburn, of Cedar Rapids . . .

. . . has been commissioned Surgeon of the 16^th regiment, now under marching orders at Camp McClellan, this city.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

Theophilus Caton: Obituary

Last Veteran of Unionville Answers Taps

Unionville, Iowa – Thagothilus [sic] Caton who was 90 years old April 2 of this year and the last surviving Civil War veteran of Unionville died at [8]:28 a.m. today.  Mr. Caton leave seven children as follows: Mrs. Millie Pollard of Moravia; [Milthel] Caton of Oshkosh, Wis.; Edward Caton of Julesburg, Colo.; Mrs. Ethel Knapp of Hot Springs, Ark.; Mrs. Ola Hopkins of Unionville, Iowa; Arthur Caton of Unionville, Iowa, and Mrs. Laura Smith with whom Mr. Caton made his home.  His wife has been dead 16 years.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Baptist Church in Unionville and will be officiated by the Rev. Mr. Donahue of Moravia.

– Published in The Daily Iowegian, Centerville, Iowa, Saturday, October 17, 1931

Theophilus Caton, Co. F, 38th Illinois Infantry; Pension Index Card

SOURCE: Civil War And Later Veterans Pension Index at Fold3.com

16th Regiment Off

The 16^th regiment Iowa Infantry leave on the 10 o’clock train this morning for St. Louis.  There they will receive their muskets and take their position in some one of the brigades bound for the South.  They will leave not more than six or eight sick in camp, the good news of receiving marching orders having acted as a stimulant on the others and placed them in a condition to travel.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 12.

Nothing new at Manassas.  The Rebels have retired towards Gordonsville.  They rest with their advance at the Cape Daine river, their camps extending back to Gordonsville, 12 miles.

Telegraphs from Fort Monroe, report all quiet.

Parties who accompanied a rebel flag of truce, admit that the Monitor severely wounded the Merrimac.

Information from Winchester to-night, indicates that our forces are in possession there.  Nothing valuable to our army was found at Manassas

Special to Tribune.

The Naval Committee of the Senate agreed to-day to recommend an appropriation of $250,000 for the construction of furnaces for the manufacture of 20 inch Dahlgren guns.

The Washington Star of this evening says: “He have positive information that the rebels have retreated as far as Gordonsville.  Our scouts have probably penetrated as far as Culpepper Courthouse, 34 miles in the rear of Manassas.

Times’ Dispatch.

The statement published that a council of war in Washington decided 6 to 4 that the army of the Potomac could not be moved against the enemy at present, is entirely untrue.  The Generals were unanimous that an advance would be possible and proper.  The difference was as to the plan of the proposed attack.  A correspondent of the Times, who accompanied the advance upon Centreville and Manassas has just come in.  It was only last Friday that the retreat of the rebels from Centreville commenced.  Gen. Johnston left Friday morning; Gen. Smith left Saturday P. M., and Col. Stewart last Monday – the day our army left camp on the Potomac.

The retreat was conducted very orderly at first.  Nothing was left at Centreville that could be useful to us.

The forts were planked and very formidable.  The commanded the roads, and the fire of not less than a hundred guns could be converged upon any approach to the defenses, but the guns were never brought from Manassas to mount the Centreville forts.  The railroad track extended from Manassas to Centreville, and a telegraph line.

The rebel generals had their headquarters at Centreville altogether, and a more convenient and complete military establishment could not be found in Washington than they had through Manassas.

The enemy continued their retreat as quietly as it began.  They carried off all their heavy guns from Manassas, forty or fifty in number – part of their army marching by turnpike to Warrenton, and part to Gordonsville, where, it is said, they would make a stand.

It was On Monday evening that the first sign of panic was noticed at Manassas.  A part of Stuart’s rear column was preparing a train to move southward by railroad when they learned that some excited rebels had set fire to the bridges ahead of them.  They immediately began to burn and destroy, and run away in general confusion.  Five hundred barrels of flour, piled in ranks, had their heads stove in; barrels of molasses suffered the same way.  Fourteen or fifteen kegs of powder were left, which they did not know how to destroy in safety to themselves.

It seems to be confirmed that the enemy had, for weeks, between 50,000 and 60,000 troops at Centreville and Manassas, and that they only began their retreat last Friday.  What they mean is a mystery, as that number of men in their fortifications would have been equal to three times the force assailing them.

They must have feared to trust those whose enlistment was expiring, or their powder, which many accounts agree is of very inferior quality.

The strongest news brought by the Times’ correspondent is that Gen. Jackson and one half of his army, whom Gen. Banks yesterday supposed he was closely watching in Winchester, wend down the railroad to Manassas one week ago, and quietly marched off southward in the valley of the Shenandoah.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 2 

From Fort Monroe

FORT MONROE, March 13.

The following is taken from Southern papers:

In the rebel House of Representatives, on Monday, a resolution passed advising planters to withdraw for cultivation of cotton and tobacco, and devote their energies to raising provisions, hogs, cattle, etc.

The Senate passed a bill organizing a Supreme Court.

The President set a message to Congress stating that he had suspended Floyd and Pillow from their commands until they could give more satisfactory accounts of the Donelson affair.

Petersburg, Richmond and Norfolk are under martial law.

The Richmond Examiner of yesterday says that considerable uneasiness is felt at the reports of our forces falling back from Manassas and the Upper Potomac.  Positive assurances are given that these movements are purely [strategic], and not made on account of any pressure by the enemy. – The points for a new line of defence have not yet been selected, but it is thought will extend from Staunton to Gordonsville.

The same paper contains a severe article on Gov. Letcher, for his secret proclamation calling upon the whole body of militia, and says this is calculated to breed disloyalty.

The nomination of Gen. Lee as commanding General of the rebel army was sent to the Senate.

The Massilla Times of the 29^th gives the report of a revolution in New Mexico against the Federal authority, and that Mr. Otero is heading the movement.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 2 

From Virginia

CHARLESTON, Va., March 12.

The town of Berryville, Va. Was occupied by our troops yesterday, by Gen. Gorman, directing the advance.  The enemy had 500 cavalry there, on our arrival, but the signal ordered a charge of the New York cavalry upon them, supporting the onset with a sufficient force of artillery and infantry.  The enemy did now wait to fight, but ran helter skelter towards Winchester.

Twice last night were the pickets of Gen. Gorman’s brigade compelled to fall back by the charge of Ashby’s Cossacks.  This morning Gen. Gorman mad a reconnaissance in force to within two miles of Winchester, drawing the rebels into a trap.  They were again charged upon by our cavalry loosing four men.  Several prisoners have been taken from the enemy, while our total loss up to this time is one man and one horse.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 2 

William H. Main, Sergeant, 3rd Iowa Light Artillery

On the Return of the Flag of the Second Iowa Regiment, the first that waved on the breastworks of Fort Donelson

Proud Union Flag! we welcome thee

Back to thy home among the free,

      From Slavery’s dark domain

Pierced through with balls from rebel guns,

While waving o’er our valiant sons,

      The living and the slain.

Beneath thy folds, with flashing eye,

Resolved to conquer or to die,

      Our gallant heroes stood;

While at their feet and all around,

Lay fallen comrades on the ground,

      Still weltering in their blood.

Nearer they come and nearer still,

In solid phalanx up the hill.

      Beneath the galling fire;

Scaling the enemy’s defence.

They plant thee on their battlements,

      To wave in triumph there.

The deadly conflict now begins –

The fight is short, and Freedom wins

      A glorious victory!

The rebel foe with terror sees

Thy colors floating to the breeze,

      And flees in wild dismay.

Proud, noble Flag! thy work is done,

The first to float o’er Donelson,

      We welcome thee again.

We hail thy glorious Stripes and Stars,

With all their bullet marks and scars,

      And every bloody stain.

We’ll lay thy silken folds away,

A precious relic on that day,

      Which sealed Rebellion’s fate;

And while that glorious day is sung,

Those folds shall safely rest among

      The archives of our state.

J. B. J.

DURANT, Cedar Co., Iowa

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 2 

"Concentrated Chicken"

This is the name of a new delicacy which has been prepared for the Pennsylvania volunteers in a Government hospital.  The Dubuque Times speaking of its use, says: “If the loyal women of Iowa could have seen the gratification which the soup prepared from this ‘Concentrated Chicken’ gave these sick soldiers, they would speedily stock the hospitals of Iowa with this and similar preparations.”  The following is the recipe copied from a circular of the Soldier’s Aid Society, in Huntingdon, Pa.:

“Prepare the chicken as if for stewing; put it into cold water, just enough to keep it from burning, and boil until the flesh can be stripped from the bones; to the flesh and some water add salt and a little pepper, but no butter, and let it simmer slowly for a long time, or until reduced as much as possible.  Seal it up hot in cans.”  Mutton and beef can be prepared in the same way.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 2 

John W. Hall, Private, Co. G, 3rd Missouri State Militia Cavalry: Pension Index Card

SOURCE: Civil War And Later Veterans Pension Index at Fold3.com