Official Reports of the Battle of Shiloh: No. 49 – Report of Capt. Matthew M. Trumbull, 3rd Iowa Infantry

No. 49.

Report of Capt. Matthew M. Trumbull, Third Iowa Infantry.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD IOWA INFANTRY,

April 17, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Third Iowa Infantry in the action of the 6th and 7th instant.

The Third Iowa occupied the extreme right of the Fourth Division, being the first regiment of Col. and Actg. Brig. Gen. N. G. Williams’ brigade, and was posted during a greater portion of Sunday at the fence near the cotton field. The enemy repeatedly threw large bodies of infantry against us, but never with success. He was repulsed every time, and with great slaughter. The regiment was also subjected to a storm of grape, canister, and shell, which lasted several hours. The Third Iowa maintained its ground until evening and did not then give way until the troops on their right and left had been broken and we were entirely outflanked and almost surrounded. The regiment was then compelled in a great measure to cut its way out.

Of the firmness, coolness, and courage of the men under a heavy fire it will be unnecessary for me to speak, as they were almost constantly during the battle under the immediate eye of the general commanding the division.

The regiment went into battle on the second day under the command of First Lieut. G. W. Crosley, of Company E, and, as I am well assured, nobly maintained the honor of the flag.

Should I designate meritorious officers I should have to name nearly every officer in the regiment. I think, however, none will feel envious if I specially mention Lieutenant Crosley.

I desire to call the attention of the general commanding the division to the gallantry and good conduct of Sergt. James Lakin, of Company F, who carried the colors on the first day, and of Corp. Anderson Edwards, of Company I, who carried the colors on the second day, of the battle.

Our loss is heavy. I herewith inclose a list of our killed, wounded, and missing.­*

I have the honor to remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 M. M. TRUMBULL,

 Captain, Third Iowa Infantry, Commanding Regiment.

 Brig. Gen. STEPHEN A. HURLBUT, U.S. A.,

Commanding Fourth Division, Army of the Tennessee.

_______________

* Embodied in the revised statement, p. 103

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume X (Serial No. 10), Part I, pages 219

Peter Rinner

PETER RINNER, farmer and stock-raiser, section 23, Madison Township, was born in Germany, near the river Rhine, November 14, 1831. His father, Peter Rinner, came with his family to America in 1836, and settled at Lockport, Ohio, where he died nine weeks after his arrival. Our subject, on the death of his father, was taken by David Stiffler, of Beaver Dam, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, by whom he was reared to agricultural pursuits.  He entered the United States army during the Mexican war when in his sixteenth year, under Scott, and was at the battles of St. Augustine, wounded at Cherebusco, Mellina, Del Ray, Chapultepac, and at the taking of Mexico. He reentered the United States service in 1850, and spent two and a half years in teaching recruits. He then entered the cavalry of the Second United States dragoons in 1855, remaining in the service till February, 1864, when he was discharged as Second lieutenant.  During the late civil war he participated in the battles of First Bull Run, after which battle he carried the first white flag to the rebel army. Williamsport, battle of the Wilderness, the seven days fight on the peninsula, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Culpeper, and others of minor importance. Before the war of the Rebellion he was engaged in fighting with Indians in Utah, and while there part of the time his company had but two ounces of flour for each man for their daily allowance, and for a while they lived on nettles cooked as greens. He served his country as a soldier fifteen years and eight months.  Mr. Rinner came to Iowa in 1864, locating at Des Moines, where he remained till 1871. He then came to Clarke County, where he has since followed farming and stock-raising on his present farm, where he has 126 acres of well-improved land. He began life a poor boy, but his habits of industry and economy have been crowned with success, he having acquired his present fine property by his own efforts.  Mr. Rinner was married January 14, 1874, to Diantha Gray, a daughter of William Gray, of Rush County, Kansas. They have had six children, four still living – Franklin P., Margaret E., George L. and Katherine D. Mr. Rinner still has in his possession his old sword which was given him by General Pleasanton.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 341

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, December 22, 1861

It snowed all day, the snow falling in large flakes, and the weather is fast turning colder. I was detailed on camp guard and with my overcoat on walked my beat for two hours at a time. At about 4 o'clock in the afternoon five companies of our regiment received marching orders to go at once, and striking our tents we hastened down to the railroad station on the bank of the river, where we had to stack arms and wait four hours for the train. The weather by this time had turned intensely cold and we were compelled to build fires to keep warm, but no firewood was at hand. The boys spied a lot of canoes stored away for the winter under a warehouse; these we appropriated and had used up forty or fifty of them before our train finally came. When the train did come, we discovered to our dismay that it was made up of stock cars, bedded with straw. We boarded the cars at 8 p. m. and settling ourselves as comfortably as possible, with our rifles in hand started at midnight for California, Missouri.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 25

Presidents of the United States Living at the Outbreak of the Civil War

Martin Van Buren, died July 24, 1862

John Tyler, died January 18, 1862

Millard Fillmore, died March 8, 1874

Franklin Pierce, died October 8, 1869

James Buchanan, June 1, 1868

Abraham Lincoln, died April 15, 1865

8th Illinois Infantry Monument: Duncan Field, Shiloh National Military Park

ILLINOIS

8^TH INFANTRY

1^ST BRIGADE – HARE

1^ST DIVISION – McCLERNAND

ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE

8TH INFANTRY

COMMANDED BY

1.  CAPT. J. M. ASHMORE, WOUNDED

2.  CAPT. W. H. HARVEY, KILLED

3.  CAPT. R. H. STURGESS

This line was held from 9:30 A.M. until 11:00 A.M., April 6, 1862, when the regiment was forced back to a position behind the Duncan Field.  It lost in the battle, 1 officer and 29 men killed; 1 officer and 90 men wounded; 3 men missing; total 124.

Official Reports of the Battle of Shiloh: No. 18 - Col. James M. Tuttle, Commanding the 2nd Division and 1st Brigade, Army of the Tennessee

No. 18.

Report of Col. James M. Tuttle, Second Iowa Infantry, Commanding

Second Division and First Brigade.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,

Pittsburg, Tenn., April 10, 1862.

GENERAL: I have the honor to report the part taken by the First Brigade in the action of the 6th and 7th instant, as well as such other regiments and corps as were under my command during the engagement.

On the morning of the 6th I proceeded with my brigade, consisting of the Second, Seventh, Twelfth, and Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, under the direction of Brig. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, and formed line on the left of his division. We had been in line but a few moments when the enemy made their appearance and attacked my left wing (Twelfth and Fourteenth Iowa), who gallantly stood their ground and compelled the assailants to retire in confusion. They again formed under cover of a battery and renewed the attack upon my whole line, but were repulsed as before. A third and fourth time they dashed upon us, but were each time baffled and completely routed. We held our position about six hours, when it became evident that our forces on each side of us had given way, so as to give the enemy an opportunity of turning both our flanks. At this critical juncture General Wallace gave orders for my whole brigade to fall back, which was done in good order. The Second and Seventh Regiments retired through a severe fire from both flanks and reformed, while the Twelfth and Fourteenth, who were delayed by their endeavors to save a battery which had been placed in their rear, were completely cut off and surrounded and were compelled to surrender.

In passing through the cross-fire General Wallace fell mortally wounded, and as you were reported wounded, and Captain McMichael informing me that I was the ranking officer, I assumed command of the division and rallied what was left of my brigade, and was joined by the Thirteenth Iowa, Colonel Crocker; Ninth Illinois, Colonel Mersy; Twelfth Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel Chetlain, and several other fragments of regiments, and formed them in line on the road, and held the enemy in check until the line was formed that resisted the last charge just before dark of that day.

On Monday morning I collected all of the division that could be found and such other detached regiments as volunteered to join me, and formed them in column by battalion, closed in mass, as a reserve for General Buell, and followed up his attack until we arrived near the position we had occupied on Sunday, when I deployed into line in rear of his force, and held my command subject to his orders. The Second Iowa and Twelfth Illinois were called on at one time. The Second was sent to General Nelson's division, and was ordered by him to charge bayonets across a field on the enemy, who were in the woods beyond, which they did in the most gallant manner, the enemy giving way before they reached them. The Seventh Iowa, under orders from General Crittenden, charged and captured one of the enemy's batteries, while the Thirteenth Iowa rendered General McCook valuable service near the close of the engagement.

On Tuesday, the 8th, when our forces were again called to arms, I called out the Second Division, and all obeyed the call with alacrity except Col. Crafts J. Wright, of the Thirteenth Missouri, who refused to obey orders, and did not make his appearance during the day. The division remained on the field all day, and were ordered to return to camp after dark.

The officers and men under my command behaved nobly and gallantly during the whole time, with the exception above named. The officers deserving special mention in this report are so numerous that I will confine myself to field officers alone: Lieutenant-Colonel Baker, of the Second Iowa; Lieutenant-Colonel Parrott and Major Rice, of the Seventh Iowa; Colonel Woods, Twelfth Iowa; Colonel Shaw and Lieutenant-Colonel Lucas, of the Fourteenth Iowa, particularly distinguished themselves for bravery and ability on the field. Colonel Crocker, of the Thirteenth Iowa, although not belonging to my command originally, was attached to it on Sunday evening, and remained with my division until Monday evening. He proved himself to have all the qualities of a good and efficient officer, and was prompt to duty when the enemy was to be met. Colonel Mersy, Ninth Illinois, also proved himself a brave and efficient officer. Colonel Morton, commanding Second Brigade, and Colonel Baldwin, Third Brigade, on the last day turned out their brigades promptly and marched in column to the outposts. Colonel Woods, of the Twelfth Iowa, was twice wounded, and when the enemy was driven back on Monday he was recaptured, and is now here, unfit for duty.

Appended I send you a list of the casualties of the brigade only, as others will report directly to you.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. M. TUTTLE,

Colonel, Commanding First Brigade, Second Division.

Brig. Gen. JOHN McARTHUR,

Commanding Second Division.

_______________

*Embodied in McArthur’s report, p. 148.  See also revised statement, p. 101.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume X (Serial No. 10), Part I, pages 148-50

James H. Read

JAMES H. READ, grocer, Osceola, established his business at this point in 1867. Soon after he formed a partnership with J. C. Harrison under the firm name of Read & Harrison. This partnership continued until 1878 when he sold out and went to Kansas, returning in the fall of 1880, and January 1, 1881, opened up his present business. He is well established and carries a complete stock of groceries. He is well known to the public, and defies competition.  Mr. Read was born in Beardstown, Illinois, August 2, 1839. His father, Haywood Read, was a native of Maine, and his mother, Ann (Black) Read, was a native of Kentucky. They settled in Beardstown where his father carried on the mercantile trade, and also operated a flouring mill. His business was carried on very extensively. At one time he was elected Mayor of Beardstown. He died in California in 1851, and his wife died in Henry County, Iowa, in 1852.  James remained at home until eleven years of age, then lived with a farmer until he was fifteen, then went to Wisconsin pineries, working in mills and as a raftsman, and in the fall of 1859 went to Texas and served one year as a cow-boy. In the fall of 1860 he returned to Illinois, and enlisted as a private in Company K, Forty-sixth Regiment, Illinois Infantry, and served until May, 1863, when he was promoted to First Lieutenant, Third United States Heavy Artillery, and was mustered out with the rank of Captain, April 30, 1866, having served four and a half years.  September 16, 1866, Mr. Read was married to Miss Hannah M. Waller, of Henderson County, Iowa [sic]. They removed to Osceola April 1, 1867. He has served one year as alderman in Osceola. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, the Knights of Pythias, Grand Army of the Republic, and Good Templars.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 293-4

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, December 21, 1861

Nothing of importance today. I went on guard. There is some talk of making Jefferson City headquarters for the various detachments of the army within fifty miles of this place.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 25

Munch’s Battery Position Marker: Eastern Corinth Road, Shiloh National Military Park

U. S.

MUNCH’S BATTERY,

1^ST MINNESOTA LT. ART.,

PRENTISS’ (6^TH) DIV.,

ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE

_____ ___ ____ ___ _____

This battery with 6 guns went into action here at 7.30 A.M. April 6, 1862, and was engaged until 9 A.M. when it retired to the Hornet’s Nest.

• Munch’s Battery was divided into two sections and each held positions at the Hornet’s Nest: HERE and HERE.

The Battle at Island 10

FOURTH DAY.

Monday, March 17. – Last night was one of unusual clearness and the river and shores were bathed in the most delicious moonlight.  If painters need any business, when the grim dogs of war are baying, they would have reveled in the scene.  Although I was surrounded by all the fearful paraphernalia of war, there was nothing to disturb the serenity of the night.  No sounds were audible save the plash of the water, the snarling trumpet calling our pickets afar off, and the sound of the bells upon the gunboats as they called the hours.  The forenoon was consumed until 10 o’clock in supplying the mortar rafts with shells and powder from the ammunition boats.  About half-past ten the mortars commenced practice, occupying the same position as the day before excepting two, which were moored on the left bank about three miles below the upper battery.  Two of the mortars shelled the rebel encampments round the point, the fire of the others concentrating upon the upper battery.  About 11 o’clock, the gunboats took position.  The Benton, Cincinnati and St. Louis lashed together, slowly dropped down the river and opened fire upon the same battery. – The scene now became animated in the extreme, the ball being fairly opened.  I took a position on shore, near the point and alongside the mortars, to witness their practice.  The firing of a mortar is the very poetry of a battle.  A bag of powder weighing from eighteen to twenty pounds is dropped into the bore of the huge monster.  The derrick drops the shell in; the angle is calculated; a long cord is attached to the primer; the gunner steps out upon the platform, and the balance of the crew upon the shore.  The Captain gives the word, the gunner gives his cord a sudden jerk, a crash like a thousand thunders follows, a tongue of flame leaps from the mouth of the mortar, and a column of smoke rolls up in beautiful fleecy spirals, developing into rings of exquisite proportions.  One can see the shell as it leaves the mortar flying through the air, apparently no larger than a marble.  The next you see of the shell, a beautiful cloud of smoke bursts into sight, caused by the explosion.  Imagine ten of these monsters thundering at once, the air filled with smoke clouds, the gunboats belching out destruction and completely hidden from sight in whirls of smoke, the shell screaming through the air with the enemy sending their solid shot and shell above and around us, dashing the water up in glistening columns and jets of spray, and you have the sublime poetry of war.  An incident, however, will show how completely the battle may lose its poetry and develop into a stern and suggestive reality.

FIFTH DAY.

TUESDAY, March 18, 1862. – The firing of our boats yesterday very seriously damaged the upper fort, and at an early hour this morning some two or three hundred men could be discovered busily at work repairing the breaches.  The Benton at once dropped down and commenced using her bow rifles with the happiest effect, causing a complete suspension of labor upon the works, the laborers running pell-mell to the nearest shelter.  The Benton continued her practice until the mortars commenced, when she ceased firing.  The gunboats have been idle to-day, the mortars occupying the time exclusively and making some excellent shots.  Several shells have been lodged in the head of the Island.  The mortar practice is rapidly improving, and at the present rate of improvement will warm up the rebel encampment and fortifications to a degree which must cause a speedy evacuation.

This morning I visited Com. Foote.  He expressed himself confident of reducing the place, but says it will take time.  He is fighting the battle at fearful odds.  The gunboats are too unwieldy and unmanageable to fight down stream in the mad current, which sweeps round the point with irresistible fury.  Should one of them become crippled, no power could save her from falling into the hands of the rebels, or being entirely destroyed by their floating battery.  Still the Flag Officer is hopeful.  Undaunted by the difficulties which stare him in the face, by the mean, despicable lack of sympathy with his plans upon the part of certain army officers and others high in power, thus thwarting him in his endeavors to expedite matters to a successful issue.  He will yet cut the Gordian knot by a splendid victory, and clear the river to Memphis and thence sweep triumphantly to the Balize.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 1

Brigadier General Leonard F. Ross

LEONARD FULTON ROSS, one of the youngest Brigadier Generals whom Illinois has the distinction of having furnished during the war, is, with the exception of Generals Cook and Logan, the only native Illinoisan of the entire number. His father moved to Illinois from New York in 1821, and settled in Fulton co., upon the site of Lewistown, the present county seat, at a period when there were but two other white families within what are now the limits of the county. Here he was born, July 18th, 1823. Passing his childhood upon the frontier, where the principal portion of the population consisted of roving bands of Indians, and in a village which derived its only importance from the fact of its being an Indian trading post, his early opportunities for acquiring the education of the schools were of course limited, but it may well be doubted if the habits of activity, enterprise and observation engendered by these circumstances were not ample compensation for any such deficiencies. At the age of seventeen he was sent to Jacksonville, where he passed some years in study, and having completed the prescribed course, entered a law office as student, and was admitted to the bar in 1845. In November of the same year, he married Catharine M., daughter of R. C. Simms, Esq. The Mexican war breaking out the following year, upon the first call for volunteers he enlisted as a private in Company K, 4th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, commanded by the gallant Baker, for whom he entertained an enthusiastic admiration, and between whom and himself at a subsequent period there sprung up a warm personal friendship. After serving in the ranks for two months, he so gained the confidence and esteem of his comrades, that, by a vote of the company, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Lieut. G. W. Stipp. During his term of service he was in command of the company about five months, including the time of the investment and capture of Vera Cruz, and the battle of Cerro Gordo, where he exhibited such distinguished gallantry as to elicit especial commendation from Col. Baker. Previous to the battle he commanded the body-guard of Gen. Shields, while making a difficult and dangerous reconnoissance of the ground preparatory to the anticipated engagement. In January, 1847, Gen. Scott desiring to send important dispatches from Metamora to Gens. Taylor and Patterson at Victoria, Lieut. Ross cheerfully undertook the perilous duty, and accomplished his mission successfully, making his way safely through a populous and hostile country a distance of two hundred and fifty miles, accompanied only by a guide, an interpreter, and an escort of nineteen men.

On returning to his home at the close of the war, he, somewhat to his surprise, found himself the most popular man in his county, and a candidate for Probate Judge. For six years he filled this and other important county offices, and then declining further political honors, he turned his attention to business, dealing in real estate, merchandising, etc., and meeting with the most gratifying success. One of the most public-spirited citizens of the community in which he resided, he always contributed liberally, both of money and personal efforts, to advance its business and educational interests.

On the breaking out of the rebellion, notwithstanding all his political affiliations had been with the Democratic party, he at once became an advocate of the most active and vigorous measures for maintaining the integrity of the Government, and while many of his old political associates were hesitating between their wish to preserve the Government and their reluctance to aid an Administration to which they were politically opposed, he promptly raised a company and tendered it to the Governor. It was accepted, and ordered to rendezvous at Peoria; and when a regimental organization was effected, May 20th, 1861, Capt. Ross was unanimously chosen Colonel of what has since been known as the 17th Regiment Ill. Volunteers. His services in the field since that time are too recent and too well known to require particular mention. His regiment, while he commanded it, was almost constantly in active service, marching very many hundreds of miles through Missouri and Kentucky, most of the time in unsuccessful pursuit of a retreating enemy. At the battle of Fredericktown, fought by a brigade commanded by Col. Plummer, the rebel force having been unexpectedly encountered in ambush while Col. Plummer was some distance in the rear, Col. Ross was in command of the forces, and had made his disposition of the troops with such skill and rapidity, and attacked the rebels with such vigor, that the battle was virtually over before Col. Plummer appeared upon the field. During this engagement, Col. Ross had his horse shot under him. The troops engaged in this affair moved from Cape Girardeau on the 18th of October, and returned on the 25th, marching over 160 miles, and winning the first of the brilliant series of victories that crowned our arms in that fall campaign. During a portion of the winter, Col. Ross commanded the post at Cape Girardeau. His regiment was ordered up the Tennessee river in February, while he was called home by heavy domestic afflictions, and he joined it only in time to participate in the last day’s fighting at Fort Donelson.

In April, 1862, Col. Ross was promoted to Brigadier General, having been in command of a brigade since the capture of Fort Donelson. After the evacuation of Corinth, he was assigned to the command of a division, and stationed at Bolivar, Tenn., which he has surrounded with a cordon of fortifications, erected by negro labor, that renders it impregnable; while the firm and vigorous policy he has pursued has secured the entire loyalty, “voluntarily or otherwise,” of the population for many miles around.

SOURCE: James Grant Wilson, Biographical Sketches of Illinois Officers Engaged In the War Against the Rebellion of 1861, p. 108-10

Adam C. Rarick

ADAM C. RARICK, a successful and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Darke County, Ohio, born July 5, 1841. At the age of eleven years he was taken by his parents, Philip and Sarah (Chenoweth) Rarick, to Jay County, Indiana, where the mother died in 1862. The father still makes his home in Jay County, being now about seventy-eight years of age.  Adam C. Rarick remained in Jay County till attaining the age of nineteen years, when, in 1860, he came to Clarke County, Iowa. He received but a limited education in the district schools, but by private study he secured a fair education, and the first winter spent in Clarke County, he was engaged in teaching school.  In July, 1861, he enlisted in defense of the union, in Company F, Sixth Iowa Infantry, serving till the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson, Chattanooga, and Atlanta, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, July 7, 1865, being mustered out at Davenport, Iowa. He then returned to Clarke County, and has since been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits.  He was married in the fall of 1866, to Miss Lizzie Adkins, daughter of Wyatt Adkins, an old resident of Clarke County. Of the seven children born to this union, four are living – Wyatt W., Earley E., Chester C. and Jesse J.  In 1875 Mr. Rarick removed to his present farm, where he has 340 acres located on sections 17 and 18, of Ward Township, his land being all well improved. He is an enterprising citizen and is classed among the self-made men of Clarke County, he having begun life here without means, but by his persevering industry and good management has prospered in all his undertakings. He is a successful stock-raiser, and has at present on his farm 120 head of high-grade short-horn cattle. He lost a fine barn by fire in July, 1883, which has since been replaced by a more substantial and commodious one.  Mr. Rarick has served two terms as assessor, and was clerk of his township for four years. He has also served on the School board. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 397-8

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, December 20, 1861

We finished cleaning our clothing and accouterments and spent the rest of the day in cleaning up our camp and parade ground, besides bringing in firewood from the timber near by. When we got back we found the Thirteenth Iowa here in camp, having arrived on the11th day of the month, during our absence.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 25

Headquarters of Col. Leonard F. Ross: Duncan Field, Shiloh National Military Park

U. S.

* * *

HEADQUARTERS, 3^D BRIGADE,

1^ST DIVISION,

ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE;

COL. L. F. ROSS, 17^TH ILLINOIS.

ESTABLISHED MARCH 21^ST,

1862

* * * * *

COL. JULIUS RAITH,

COMMANDING,

APRIL 6^TH, 1862.

Hurrah For The Petticoats

A correspondent of the Indianapolis Journal writing from Martinsburg, Va., illustrates the Union feeling observed along the march from Paw Paw:

At North Mountain House we experienced the first genuine Union feeling we have met with since we have been in Virginia.  Every house top had on it the flag of the Union. – At this station, three days before, there were rebel pickets.  The genuine Union feeling of the people of North Mountain I will illustrate by a real occurrence.  It seems that the young ladies of North Mountain House have a very large Union flag, which it was necessary that they should keep concealed so the rebels would not get it.  The young ladies after a mature thought, concluded to have it worn as a skirt, and selected Miss Mattie Cookers as the most proper person.  Thus encompassed she lived and moved until Capt. John Wilson’s company of the 13th arrived in town.  When it was know that we were United States soldiers she took the flag from its place of concealment and stood undauntedly waving it while the Captain’s company gave it three times three, and the band to enliven the scene, gave the people Yankee Doodle.  An old lady who was present said to us afterwards that Miss Cookers ought to have taken it from its place of concealment before we came up, for now that we had found out where the Union ladies kept their flags concealed we would be looking for them all the time.  We met another old lady there, en route for a neighbor’s on a visit but she could not go any further, for she must stay and see the dear soldiers, and that, for her part, she hadn’t felt so happy since Parson So-and-so had a revival at her house before secession.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 1

Abraham C. Rarick

A. C. RARICK, one of the old and honored pioneers of Clarke County, is a native of Darke County, Ohio, born April 12, 1833, a son of Philip and Sarah (Chenoweth) Rarick. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, a son of Philip R., Sr. and Susan (Hikeswell) Rarick, who were among the first pioneers of Darke County, Ohio, locating in that county about the year 1818. They were the parents of thirteen children. Ten children were born to Philip and Sarah Rarick of whom our subject is the eldest. Eight of the children still survive – A. C., Isaac, Jacob, Adam, Charles W., Ira O, Susan and Caroline. David and Catherine are deceased.   A. C. spent his youth in assisting on the farm, and in attending the district schools. In 1851 he went with his father’s family to Jay County, Indiana, remaining there four years, completing his education in a college of that county.   In the fall of 1855 he started for Iowa, being about thirty days on the way. He first located in Knox Township, Clarke County, where he pre-empted a claim in the fall of 1856, proving 160 acres the following fall, which he still owns.  He was married September 7, 1859, to Mary Hunt born in Virginia, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Clarke County, Iowa, a daughter of James and Sarah (Garretson) Hunt. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rarick only four are living – Monroe, Allen, Alice and Eva. Those deceased are – Sarah, Sherman, Lydia and Charlie.  Mr. Rarick enlisted in the late war, in July, 1861, a member of Company [F], Sixth Iowa Infantry, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Jackson, Mississippi, and siege of Vicksburg. He was wounded in the neck, being struck by a piece of shell. During the war he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, but resigned this position August 2, 1863, and returned to his home in Clarke County.   In 1864 he was appointed postmaster, holding that office one year. Mr. Rarick has met with success in his farming and stock-raising, and is now the owner of 240 acres of well-improved land under a good state of cultivation. He was appointed deputy surveyor in 1858, and in 1859 was elected county surveyor, and held the same office till 1861, when he resigned that he might go to the defense of his country’s flag. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Leslie Post, No. 189. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rarick are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are numbered among the best citizens of Knox Township. In politics Mr. Rarick is a Greenbacker.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 377

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, December 19, 1861

We reached Jefferson City this morning at sunup after an uncomfortable night's ride. The water in the river is very low and it seems that we were fastened on sandbars half the time. Then when the boat was under way, the boat hands, one on each side of the vessel, were constantly calling the soundings, “six feet,” “ten feet,” “no bottom,” etc., in that dreadful, drawling sound, keeping it up all night, and with the thought of that powder on board — it was not a good night for sleeping. But we landed, and marching out to the camp, pitched our tents where we were before. We got back all safe and sound, with one exception, for one of our company took the smallpox and was left at the pesthouse at Boonville, with only his bunk-mate to care for him. The weather is quite cool.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 24-5

General Albert Sidney Johnston’s Death Site: Shiloh National Military Park

C. S.

GENERAL ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON

COMMANDING THE CONFEDERATE ARMY,

DIED HERE AT 2.30 P.M., APRIL 6, 1862.

_____ ___ __ ___ _____

Senator Isham G. Harris, who was Governor of Tennessee in 1862 and was serving as Volunteer Aid on the staff of Gen. Johnston at Shiloh, visited this field in 1896 for the express purpose of fixing the place where General Johnston fell. After a careful examination of the ground over which the advance was made, he came to the place now marked by the monument and said: “General Johnston was following the advance of Bowen's brigade; he had sent all the members of his staff to other parts of the field with orders; I was the last to leave him, with an order to put Statham’s brigade in motion across the Peach Orchard.  When I returned General Johnston was alone, sitting on his horse near a large oak tree [where the monument now stands].  I saw him reel in the saddle and rode to his side and asked: ‘General, are you hurt?’  He replied: ‘Yes, I fear seriously.’ I supported him in the saddle and guided the two horses to the ravine in rear; then lifted him from the horse and placed him on the ground. He was unconscious and died in a few minutes, at 2.30 p.m.”

Senator Harris fixed the spot where this tablet stands as the place where General Johnston died.

St. Clair Powell

ST. CLAIR POWELL, one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of Liberty township, residing on section 35, was born in Marion County, Indiana, January 31, 1842, a son of Lewis B. and Jane (Smith) Powell. His parents were born and reared in the State of Virginia, living there till after their marriage. They were early settlers of Marion County, Indiana, where they made a home out of the dense forest, both dying at their pioneer home. Their family consisted of four sons and four daughters, of whom our subject was the seventh child. Only two besides our subject are now living: Mrs. Frances Morein, living in Hiawatha, Kansas, and John B., the youngest of the family, living in Grundy County, Iowa.  St.Clair Powell was united in marriage in June, 1862, to Miss Savilla Shinn, in Henry County, Illinois, and to this union were born two children – Merrick, who died at the age of thirteen years and Adella. In August, 1862, Mr. Powell enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Second Illinois Infantry, and in November, 1862, was broken down by a forced march of his regiment, going to the relief of Frankfort, Kentucky. After an attack of bilious fever he rejoined his regiment, but failing health necessitated his discharge at Gallatin, Tennessee, in March, 1863.  Mr. Powell located in Grundy County, Iowa, in 1865, buying property there with the intention of improving and making a home, but his wife’s health failing made a change necessary. He then sold the property and went to Coffey County, Kansas, where his wife died in October, 1867. Mr. Powell then returned to Grundy County, Iowa, with his two children, where he remained until coming to Clarke County, Iowa, in March, 1871.  He has brought his land from a wild state to a well-cultivated farm, and has made all the improvements on his place. Not a tree had been planted nor a furrow turned. Now his buildings are sheltered by a fine maple grove, raised from seed planted twelve years before, the trees being now fully twenty feet in height. His fine farm contains 400 acres of as good land as can be found in the township, and the products of the farm are used for feeding his stock, his attention being devoted to stock-raising. September 8, 1872, Mr. Powell married for his second wife Miss Maria J. Barnes, and to them have been born seven children – William J., Lottie M., Annie B., Charles, Frank E., Bertie and Hattie. In politics Mr. Powell is an ardent Republican.  He is a member of Unity Lodge, No. 212, A.F. & A.M. of Woodburn, and is a highly-respected citizen of Liberty Township.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 333

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, December 18, 1861

The four companies of cavalry that accompanied us up the river (also by boat) went on a scouting expedition yesterday toward the town of Glasgow. They captured and brought in this morning one hundred and fifty-five kegs of powder which they found hid in haystacks. We stored the powder in the hull of our boat, and at 2 p. m. left this place for an all-night run on our return to Jefferson City. But we are quite uneasy for fear of an explosion from our cargo of powder.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 24