Presidents of the United States who were Veterans of the Civil War

Andrew Johnson	Brigadier General of Volunteers
Ulysses S. Grant	General-in-Chief of the United States Army
Rutherford B. Hayes	Brigadier General, Brevet Major General
James A. Garfield	Major General of Volunteers
Chester A. Arthur	Major General
Benjamin Harrison	Colonel 70th Indiana Infantry, Brevet Brigadier General
William McKinley	Captain, Co. E, 23rd Ohio Infantry, Brevet Major

Spoils of Manassas -- A Thousand Fugitive Slaves a Week – The Sham Fortifications

(Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial, 19)

I presume a thousand slaves have escaped from bondage since Manassas was evacuated.  Most of them fled from the regions of Rappahannock and entered our lines by various routes, some by the highways, some from the jungle.  Of more than fifty whom I saw, not one was unconscious of the issue which sets so many bondmen free.  Some had deserted wives and children, trusting to future opportunities to liberate them. . .  Most of them were under forty years of age, stout, muscular, intelligent fellows, not field hands, but household servants – the class so boastfully assumed to be faithful to their masters..  “Ah, master,” quoth one, “dey tell you white folks we don’t want freedom.  We don’t want nuffin else.  We knows all about it.  Dere’s more coming’ all de time.  More would come if dey could get heart to leave dere wives and children.”  In one drove of twenty-two, I observed several in confederate uniforms.  They said they had been servants to officers in the rebel army.  They had escaped at the ferry on Rappahannock river, where they left the rear guard, terrified with apprehension that we were rapidly pursuing them.  An intelligent fellow said if we had followed on Monday, we could have cut off the rear guard entirely.  Their horses were worn out and the ferry was insufficient to carry them across the river.  They were so panic-stricken, indeed; that many deserted from the column and sought the refuge in the forests.

My first report of the appearance of Manassas after the evacuation, was derived from persons whose imaginations were excited. – The quantity of property deserted was exaggerated.  After deliberate examination I concluded that the whole value at an extravagate estimate, did not exceed $10,000.  To be sure there was a large mass for trophies, but a squalid exhibit for spoils.  Some eight wagons which were left on the premises were ruined by use and by cutting the wheel spokes; four or five worthless caisons were also deserted.  A dilapidated construction train locomotive was left standing on the railroad track; the debris of another, which had been blown to atoms, and fragments of three or four platform cars, were scattered about the ruined depots.  Besides these, a mass of flour reduce to paste – perhaps fifty barrels of it – a dozen boxes of good uniforms, some cotton mattresses for hospitals, and a promiscuous distribution of clothing, kitchen utensils, some useless medical stores, a considerable quantity of half destroyed tents, a miscellaneous collection of file bowie knives, and sundry forts full of Quaker guns, constituted the entire invoice of rebel stores which the army found.  The mass was considered so valueless that it was not guarded, and the soldiers, country people and negroes, have helped themselves freely until the site is pretty thoroughly cleaned up.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

The Confederate Congress . . .

. . . elated with its naval success in Hampton Roads, has made a special appropriation of four millions and a quarter for certain naval purposes, and two millions for floating defences in the Mississippi – all in Confederate paper, which is worth 25 to 50 cents on the dollar.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

Parson Brownlow

As the name of this eccentric preacher has been introduced so much of late, to the public, and as little is known of him at the east, we publish the following description of him and an anecdote, which will give a very good idea of the individual:

Brownlow is a man of medium height and rather slim, with a round, “bullet” head, a quiet, pleasing countenance, and a good address; is an excellent, logical and persuasive speaker, and is as little in personal bearing and appearance like the blackguard he likes to make himself appear as one can imagine.

A characteristic story is told of him that is worth recording.  Upon the borders of Virginia, there was a settlement of rough “hard shell” Baptists.  The Methodists had long essayed to effect a lodgment in this quarter, but were summarily defeated by the decisive mode of turning their missionaries neck and heels out of the place – and this is no very tender or “do as you would be done by” style of Christian treatment.  With such vigor did the Baptists hold this tower of the Lord that the Methodists, with all their zeal for propagating the Gospel, and their resolute devotion to the great duty, paused before this Baptist Gibraltar.  The task seemed a hopeless one, and not one of the faithful could be found to encounter the inevitable risk of personal violence – especially as a coat of tar and feathers had been designated as the fate of any new warrior of the cross who should appear in that region in Methodist garb.  At last, Parson Brownlow was appointed to the duty of converting these heathens from the errors of their ways.

Parson Brownlow was much younger, less celebrated than he is now, but the same fiery and reckless spirit animated him then that has since extended his reputation so widely.  He knew the risk was chosen to encounter, and rather relished the novelty and excitement of this new field.  Accordingly, mounted upon his horse, with the inevitable saddle-bags of the Southern horseback traveler, he entered the enemy’s camp, on Saturday morning, and announced his purpose to give the barbarians in their locality a “creed of the new doctrine on the holy day to follow.”  The result was that horse and saddle-bags were taken as spoils, his person roughly maltreated, and he was turned loose in the outskirts of the place and ordered, at his peril, never to study daylight in that quarter again.  The parson footed it home as best he might, but soon after reappeared at the scene of contest, and conflict, with another horse and another pair of saddle-bags, to commence his labors.  His treatment was commensurate with the hearty and religious indignation of his foes, and once more the parson footed it home, sore and horseless.

A third time the irrepressible Brownlow appeared upon the field, to be served about as before; only his pertinacity and courage had worked upon the curiosity as well as the fancy of a portion of the good people of the region.  Some were for hearing “what the cuss was arter” but he was finally again unhorsed and unsaddle-bagged, and he started home afoot, but he had effected a lodgment among those rude people, who love pluck and grit if they did not love Methodism.  Of course he was expelled again.  And sure enough the fourth time, with the fourth horse and fourth pair of saddlebags, appeared the persevering Parson Brownlow.  By this time there had arisen a decided curiosity to hear what the “cuss” had to say, and the parson at last was allowed to preach.  Well suited in tastes and impulses to the rude congregation before him, he soon won their confidence, and closed a decidedly popular man.  A dozen invitations pressed him to dinner – a universal request that he would come again as soon as he could, and a full restoration of the value of the lost horses, and saddle-bags proved the final triumph of the “irrepressible Methodist.”  The final result was, the place became the most invincible of the Methodists and Parson Brownlow one of the most popular preachers among them.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

Killed And Wounded In The War Of 1812

From an article in the New York Historical Collections, prepared by Wm. Joey, Esq., mostly from official sources, it appears the whole number of Americans killed and wounded during the war of 1812, extending from June 1812 to March 1815, was 7,738; of these 2,816 were the number killed; this includes both the naval and land forces.  The largest number in the naval forces was at the engagement between the Chesapeake and Shannon, where the number of Americans killed and wounded was 145, and the British 85. – At the battle of New Orleans there were 52 Americans and 2,074 British killed and wounded.  The Americans seem to have suffered the most at the battle of Bridgewater where they had 742 killed and wounded, and the British 643.  In the various skirmishes among the Indians the Americans had over 1,100 killed and wounded.  In the engagement between the Constitution and Java, the Americans had 34, and the British 161 killed and wounded.  During the whole war the total number of British killed and wounded is put down at 8,774, of which 2,560 were among the killed.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, January 15, 1862

Nothing of importance. Got some more pies and doughnuts from a man and his wife who come in three times a week with them, to sell to the boys. We usually lay in a good supply.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 29

Occupation of Newbern

The New York Commercial Advertiser’s correspondent gives a graphic description of the battle near Newbern and of the town.  It says:

Gen. Foster crossed to the city and found it deserted by the greater portion of the white inhabitants, and the negroes holding a carnival in the houses where they once had served.

The city was entirely enveloped in the smoke of burning bridges and buildings.  Negroes, male and female trooped through the streets , talking loudly, entering deserted houses and coming out with every description of plunder.  White faces appeared furtively at the half-closed doors and windows and sublimely disappeared.  The gloom of ruin and despair hung on everything, and it was left for us to bring order out of this chaos.  A few of the inhabitants had hauled out their fire engine and endeavored to arrest the progress of the flames.  Their efforts were ineffectual as each block that was fired was totally consumed.  Fortunately the air was still and the flames were confined to the blocks in which they originated.  Otherwise the city would have been utterly destroyed.

On the arrival of the soldiers, the negroes became less clamorous.  Our men were fatigued with the terrible labors of the past two days, and flushed with the victory they had achieved, rushed into the houses that were found vacant, which fact was accepted as evidence of the disloyalty of the owner.  The search for food was first vigorously prosecuted, and the securing of trophies came next in order.

Many acts of wanton destruction of property were committed before order could be established.  Before nine o’clock, that night, perfect order prevailed throughout the city.  Citizens applied for protection to their property in many instances, and when real danger existed it was afforded.  The negroes were the most difficult to control.  Relieved from the strict rule which prohibits a negro from being abroad at night, they prowled about the streets until a late hour, but were quiet about ten o’clock.

Officers foraging for the comforts of life were strolling about for some time, and finally secured quarters in the deserted houses.  The furniture had been removed from many houses, but some were found in readiness to be vacated, the furniture being backed and left on the floor. – Some very comfortable quarters were secured in a house with a tolerably good stock of wines and liquors, and a well supplied larder.

On Sunday morning our entire fleet was anchored near the city, and some of our gunboats advanced up the Neuse some distance, to prevent a surprise by the rebels from Goldsboro. – The railroad can be commanded by our gunboats a considerable distance above Newbern.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

A Promising Family

A business gentleman residing on Long Island has been recently presented with a large family under rather astonishing circumstances.  He is now living with his third wife, the other two having died  childless; but although his last marriage was less than four years ago he has twelve children, all alive and well.  At the first birth his with presented him with one child, and the second with two, and their third with two, at the fourth with three, and at the fifth with four, each weighing over seven pounds.  Eight nurses are constantly employed in attending to the cares of this promising family.  The father is an auctioneer.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, January 14, 1862

Lieutenant Compton with five men went out to capture the man who fired into a passenger train last summer and killed the conductor. When the man saw them approaching to surround his house, he started to run for the timber. He refused to surrender and the men fired on him, shooting him through the thigh, but upon seeing that the man was severely wounded, Lieutenant Compton gave the order to let the man remain at his home.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 29

Death Of Miss Sadie Curtis

We were deeply pained to learn, last evening, of the death of Miss Sadie Curtis, eldest daughter of Major-General Curtis.  She had been ill for some time, in St. Louis, of Typhoid fever.  The melancholy tidings of her death were telegraphed to Hosmer Curtis, Esq., of this city, last evening.  The dispatch says: “She died this (Wednesday) afternoon, at 3 o’clock.  Her death was calm and peaceful.  We will leave here for Keokuk with her remains Thursday afternoon.”

Miss Curtis was universally beloved by her acquaintances.  She took a deep interest in the welfare of the soldiers, and while remaining here was the efficient Secretary of the Ladies’ Soldiers’ Aid Society.  Her death is deeply regretted by all who knew her, and must be a terrible blow to her father and family.  In this their great affliction they have the sincere and unaffected sympathy of all their friends. – {Gate City.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

Joseph DeBaird, a sailor . . .

. . . residing at Elliottsvillle, Staten Island, recently applied for the place of night watchman of the town.  Being refused he set fire to several valuable buildings, to induce people to think that a gang of incendiaries was at work, and thus render his appointment a fancied necessity.  He only succeeded in getting arrested.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, January 13, 1862

Some of the boys have been getting whiskey in this locality and today Lieutenant Compton with Carl Frink and John White went to find where they were getting it, but they returned late in the evening without finding the distilling plant.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 29

From Fortress Monroe

BALTIMORE, March 26. – The Fortress Monroe correspondent of the Baltimore Union gives a report of two contrabands relative to the condition of the Merrimac.  She returned to Norfolk with six feet of water in her.  Six steamers  towed her up, and it was feared at first she would go down before her pumps could be rigged on board.  Her fires were extinguished shortly after hauling off from the Monitor.

These contrabands positively assert the death of Buchanan, and that the Lieutenant in command on Sunday, and seven seamen, and a number of wounded.  They positively assert the death and burial both of Lieutenant Miner, her second officer, and not Jones.

The Monitor stands out in the Roads, this side of Sewall’s Point, with steam up ready for action.  The greatest confidence is felt in the result.  She is in fine condition.

It is rumored that Yorktown or a considerable portion of it is burned.  A large fire was visible in that direction Sunday night.  A large fire was also seen to-day in the neighborhood of New Market Bridge, which seemed to be quite extensive.

The Cambridge reports that the Nashville, loaded with a valuable cargo of cotton and naval stores, ran the blockade last Tuesday night, which was dark, with lights extinguished.  She was abreast of the Cambridge before discovered.

On Sunday the Chippewa, a faster steamer arrived to take the place of the Cambridge.

Fort Macon and Beaufort are still in possession of the rebels.

On Sunday night the Sawyer guns at the Rip Raps made some capital shots at Sewall’s Point.  Tuesday morning one shell filled with new rebel fire exploded in the midst of the rebel parade ground, and it is believed to have done considerable damage.  The rebels fired at the Rip Raps but the balls fell short about fifty yards.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

From Island No. 10

ST. LOUIS, March 27. – A special to the Republican dated near Island No. 10, the evening of the 27th, says only 30 shells were thrown by the mortars to-day to which no response was made by the rebels.

This morning Col. Buford sent a reconnoitering party of 20 men of the 27th Illinois ashore.  They arrested three prominent residents who report 2,000 negroes are employed on the Island and at the batteries along the Island and at the batteries along the Kentucky shore; that 65 rebel troops including two Lieutenants and four negroes have been killed by shells; that the upper shore battery is abandoned but the others are being rapidly strengthened; that the enemy is 15,000 strong and that their encampment has been moved entirely out of the range of our guns; the rebels are confident of success and they have a good road to Trenton and other points by which they can retreat whenever they choose – they have plenty of provisions.  The rebel steamers loaded with troops were sent to watch the shore to prevent communication; the number of the enemy’s transports are eleven.

Two balloon ascensions were made by Capt. Steiner but the weather was too thick for favorable observation.

A partly finished gunboat building at Memphis was fire[d] the other night but extinguished before much damage was done.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, January 12, 1862

Dr. Smith, a resident here, had his horse stolen last night. This morning Lieutenant Durbin with ten men went out to find the thief, but they returned this evening without finding him.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 29

The Battle of Winchester

WINCHESTER, March 26. – The following as near as can be ascertained, are the number of wounded at the battle of Sunday last:

In the 7th Ohio, 45; 29th, 8; 5th, 19; 69th, 24; 8th, 19.   In the 7th Indiana, 11; 13th, 13; 14th, 12.  In the 84th Penn’a, 40; 101st, 16. – In the 1st Virginia, 6.  In the 28th Ney York, 1.  In the 1st Ohio battery, 29; 29th Penn’a, 15; 3d Wisconsin 2.  The loss of the balance has not yet been received, but the number is believed to be 105 all told.

All is quiet at Strasburg to-night.

The following is Gen. Banks’ general order relative to the battle on Sunday:

HEADQUARTERS 5th Army Corps,

Strasburg, March 26, 1862.

The Commanding General of the 5th Army Corps, congratulates the officers and soldiers of Gen. Shields’ division and its gallant commander for the auspicious and decisive victory gained over the rebels on the 23d inst.  The Division has achieved renown against superior forces and a subtle enemy.

(Signed)

N. P. BANKS, Maj. General

HEADQUARTERS Gen. Shields’ Division,

WINCHESTER.

General Order No. 11.

Brig. Gen. Shields congratulates toe officers and soldiers of the Division upon the glorious victory achieved by them on the 23d inst., Near Winchester, Virginia.  They defeated an enemy whose forces outnumbered theirs, and who are considered the bravest and best disciplined of the Confederate army.  He also congratulates them that it has fallen to their lot to open the campaign on the Potomac.  The opening has been a splendid success.  Let them inscribe “Winchester” on their banners and prepare for other victories.

(Signed)

Brig. General SHIELDS.

Capt. Norman, of the 23d Virginia, died this morning after having his leg amputated.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

Railroad Accident -- Soldiers Killed and Wounded

CHICAGO, March 27 – The special train bearing a portion of Col. Barstow’s Third Wisconsin Cavalry regiment met with a frightful accident at 10¼ last night, on the Northwestern Railroad, about five miles from this city.

The catastrophe was caused by the breaking of an axle of the forward car, throwing it from the track.  The next car was thrown at a distance of several feet and upset.  Three others were hurled upon these, making a total wreck of five cars.  Ten soldiers were killed, three seriously wounded, and a large number hurt – not severely enough to prevent them continuing with the regiment.

Names of the killed and wounded, as far as ascertained, are as follows:

KILLED. – Elisha Sharp, Hospital Steward, of Delavan; Wm. Davis, Co. A, Rang Creek, Jackson county; Lucien M. Ransom, Co. A, Sparta; J. F. Hullmon, Co. A, Viroqua; Chas. Storm, Co. A, Bangor; Chas Brigs, Co. A, Tomah, Monroe county; Walter Small, Co. G; Lyman Wm. Case, Co. G, Geneva, Dr. E. M. Burris, Co. G, New Albany; Charles D. Hatch, Co. A, Sparta.

SERIOUSLY WOUNDED. – Quarter Master Sergeant L. G. Edwards, Co. G, East Troy, ribs; John Tweedle, Co. A, internal injuries and contusion on left side, Madison, also arm broke; Byron Wilcox, Co. L, both legs broken.  The above are not considered to be dangerously injured.

SLIGHTLY WOUNDED. – Davis Custat, Co. A, contusion on head; C. F. Farwell, Co. G, right shoulder sprained; C. Gilson, Co. A, left shoulder and arm, and left foot injured; Geo. Ordsby, Co. A, injured spine; Robert Lawrence, Co. A, shoulder sprained; Fred. H. Johnson, Co. A, right knee and left side injured; William Anderson, Co. A, right ankle sprained; M. J. White, Co. A, hip sprained and head cut; Chas. Putnam, Co. A, knee sprained; John Craits, Co. D, hand badly cut.

The greater part of the last will go with the Regiment; the others are provided with good quarters and will be cared for.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, January 11, 1862

Our company were all vaccinated today as a protection against smallpox. The regimental surgeon came down from California to do the work. Our captain called the company up in line, and every man had to take his medicine.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 29

Tree Section From The Battlefield at Chickamauga, Georgia

The Battle of Chickamauga took place on September 19 and 20, 1863, in northwestern Georgia.  The battle was the most significant defeat of Union troops in the war’s western theater and involved the second-highest number of casualties in the war, second only to the Battle of Gettysburg.  This tree section was taken from a white oak tree that stood near Confederate General Braxton Bragg as he commanded his troops on Snodgrass Hill.  The quantity of case shot and other iron shot embedded in it is a testament to the “iron hail” into which troops would advance.

SOURCE:  Interpretive sign (seen at right) next to the tree section in the Iowa and the Civil War: Nothing But Victory exhibit at the State Historical Museum of Iowa, Des Moines Iowa, July 18, 2012.

Gen. Shields Improving

NEW YORK, March 27. – The following from Gen. Shields has been received in this city by Judge Doty:

WINCHESTER, March 27.

My wounds are doing well.  I will be able to ride in a buggy in a few days at the head of my command.

JAMES SHIELDS

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3