The Flag Of The Red, White And Blue

Additional Verses to an Old Song.

BY REV. J. G. FORMAN.

I.

Blest banner of Freedom! Thy pinion

Floats wide o’er the land and the sea;

The emblem of peaceful dominion,

Our eyes turn with rapture to thee.

Though war-clouds and danger are o’er us,

Thy folds are still dear to our view;

With the flag of our country before us,

We march to the Read White and blue,

We march to the Read White and blue,

We march to the Read White and blue;

With the flag of our country before us,

We march to the Read White and blue.

II.

The glorious ensign ne’er sever,

Let it float in the ether above,

Its stars the bright symbol, forever,

Of Union and Freedom and Love.

May they never grow dim in their shining,

Nor fade from their colors so true,

The stars and stripes still entwining,

Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue.

III.

Though traitors shall meet and dissemble,

And armies of Rebels shall rise,

Our banner shall cause them to tremble

As it waves in the bright Southern skies;

And millions of patriot voices

Shall the chorus of Freedom renew,

And shout as the nation rejoices,

Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue.

Benton barracks, St. Louis, Feb. 1862.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, April 29, 1862

We received orders this afternoon to march out towards Purdy, about twelve miles, to be in readiness as a supporting column to General Wallace in command of the right. He was expecting to be attacked by the rebels and sent for reinforcements. We went in light marching order without knapsacks, and we have to lie on our arms at night.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 47

Civilian Generals At The South

The southern civilian Generals have been very unfortunate in the present war.  There are eleven of this class, who received no military education, and who never before had a military command.  The following are their names:

Henry A. Wise, whipped in Virginia.

John B. Floyd, whipped everywhere.

Robert Toombs, never been in battle.

Richard Taylor, never been in battle.

Thos. B. Flournoy, never been in battle.

L. Pope Walker, whipped in the West.

F. K. Zollicoffer, killed in his first engagement.

Wm. Mahone, never heard of.

L. O. B. Branch,, whipped at Newbern.

Wm. H. Carroll, never on a field.

R. E. Rhodes, never on a field.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Battle In Tennessee

CHICAGO, April 8. – A private telegram was received in this city this evening dated Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, April 7, saying, we have fought and won the hardest battle ever fought on this continent.

The dispatch was from one of Gen. Grant’s staff.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Surrender of the Rebels at Island No. 10!

CHICAGO, April 8, P. M. – Island No. 10 surrendered last night to Com. Foote.  No Particulars yet.

CAIRO, April 8. – The Steamer Alps has just arrived from below with the cheering announcement that Island No. 10 is ours.  It was surrendered at midnight last night to Com. Foote, and Col. Buford’s forces now occupy it.  The rebels’ guns, transports, stores and provisions on and around the Island are in our possession. – The number of prisoners and guns taken is not yet ascertained.

Nothing from the Tennessee river, but news of a battle at Corinth is now anxiously looked for.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

From New Madrid

NEW MADRID, April 4. – A severe storm passed over camp this forenoon, and during its continuance we heard nothing of artillery practice at Island No. 10.

This afternoon the shower had passed, and the roar of the mortars is heard continually.  A furious bombardment is progressing; the peculiar rolling roar of the mortars reverberates across the country to the camp like the artillery of heaven.

The entire army will be paid off this week. – The Paymaster, escorted by two companies of cavalry, arrived to-day from Birkestown with the necessary funds.

The promulgation of Gen. Pope’s order relative to depredations upon the telegraph is creating the [liveliest] satisfaction.  The General means business, and holds the inhabitants individually responsible for the safety of the line.

A teamster who has just returned from Commerce, reports that S. G. Ritchen, the well known Colonel of the rebel Thompson’s band of thieves is in the swamps back of that post, with a squadron of rebel cavalry estimated at 200, and that fears are entertained that the Union men in that vicinity will be subjected to fresh persecutions.

Another report is current this evening that Jeff Thompson has assembled a force of considerable strength at Holand’s Island, at the terminus of the plank road extending westward from Point Pleasant, about 12 miles from this camp.  His position is represented by scouts as exceedingly strong and his defences so arranged that with an insignificant force he can withstand almost any army we can bring against him.

On Board the U. S. Gunboat Carondolet,

New Madrid, April 5.

At last the blockade is passed – the gauntlet is run – the navigation of the Mississippi is proved possible in spite of rebel guns and rebel fortifications.  The U. S. gunboat Carondolet, Capt. H. Walker, arrived this morning, at one o’clock having passed the fortifications of Island No. 10 and the batteries upon the main land opposite, and now lies safely moored to the shore under the guns of the upper fort at New Madrid.

The Carondolet left the fleet last evening at 10 o’clock, during a terrific thunder storm, and having taken barge in tow, laden with hay and coal to serve as protection from the enemy’s balls, extinguished her lights, put on steam and rapidly sailed down the river.  The first intimation the rebels had of the attempt to run the blockade, was the fire which issued from the burning chimney of the gunboat, and immediately thereafter it was greeted with a shower of balls from the infantry stationed at the upper battery – the same which was so effectually spiked a few days since by Col. Roberts.

A signal rocket was then sent up.  In an instant the entire line of batteries were a flame.  Four batteries on the Kentucky shore and one on the point of the Island fired in quick succession, but the Carondelet passed them all in safety, and unmindful of the leaden and iron shower which fell around, passed through the fiery ordeal unharmed, not a man injured, and excepting musket balls which struck the iron plated sides of the gunboat she was untouched.

The floating battery is located three miles below the Island, and bestowed a parting shower of blazing compliments as the Carondelet glided quietly by.

The Hollings’s Ram Manassas did not appear.

Officers and men acquitted themselves with admirable courage and fidelity.  During the intense darkness the officers could not make an extensive and satisfactory reconnoissance of the batteries, but the enemy probably did his best.  The fire was tremendous.

Mr. O. T. Fishback, of the Missouri Democrat, was on the Carondelet, while running the blockade, and to him we are mainly indebted for the above particulars.

NEW MADRID, April 5, 5½ P. M. – Mr. Scott, Assistant Secretary of War visited the Carondolet to-day with Gen. Pope, to congratulate Capt. Walker upon the achievement in running the blockade.  The Capt. visited Camp Donald and was escorted back to the gunboat by a company of cavalry.

There is nothing further from the fleet since the Carondelet ran the blockade.  Nothing has transpired, so far as we can learn, as to the damage the cannonading has already caused.

Prof. Steiner arrived this evening with his balloon to make a reconnoissanse of the enemy’s position along the river.

The Government Telegraph between this camp and Cairo is now in operation.

The steamer J. C. Cowan arrived to-day from St. Louis, bring two batteries of artillery.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Latest from Island No. 10

FLAGSHIP BENTON, ISLAND NO. 10,

EVENING of April 3.

At an early hour this morning a large object was seen moving up along the Island, and glasses revealed it to be the floating battery, which the rebels were towing into position, from which to command good range of the mortar boats. – When it got sufficiently near, a brisk fire was at once opened upon it, and in the course of half an hour the battery was struck several times – splinters being thrown in all directions, and several beams displaced.  One mortar shell fell and exploded directly inside, wrapping the inside in a cloud of smoke.  The fire must have been terribly destructive to the gunners, for the battery was immediately sunk to the water’s edge by the rebels, and towed back out of range.  The few shot previously fired from it fell some distance short, but evidently only from unskillful gunnery, as the ordnance as at other times proved of long range.

A shot from one of the new rifled Dahlgrens on the Benton, carried away the smoke-stack of the steamer thought to be the Lackland, which attempted to run reconnoitering along the Kentucky shore.

At one time a crowd of rebels could be seen busily at work on their upper battery, the guns of which were spiked two nights ago.  They were repairing the work apparently endeavoring to unspike the cannon.  Some shell were thrown at them, when they immediately disappeared, and did not return again.

A great source of annoyance for some time has been the steamer Winchester, lying sunk in the stream some distance from the island, and used by the enemy’s spies, who could from there watch easily every movement of the fleet.  An effort was accordingly made this morning to destroy it, and a mortar shell being lodged successfuly, the boat was soon in flames, and burned to the water’s edge.

The skillful firing to-day has rendered the foe extremely cautions; all their tents are moved back far out of range, and it is only at rare intervals that individuals show themselves.

Advices from New Madrid report affairs here quiet, and the fact is fully ascertained that the rebels have erected batteries on the Kentucky shore opposite New Madrid.  The ballon has been taken from herp.

The river is falling very rapidly, and it will soon be possible to land troops at any point wished along the banks here.  This will much facilitate operations.

CAIRO, April 5. – The firing at Island No. 10 last night disabled a floating battery of the rebels.  One shell struck directly in it, killing three of the men and disabling it so that it floated down towards the foot of the Island.  The firing to-day has been more active and has done good execution.

A messenger from New Madrid this evening reports that the rebels erected a battery last night opposite Point Pleasant, and this morning opened fiercely upon our works.  After firing for some time the battery was silenced by our guns, and a warehouse on the Kentucky shore was fired by our shells.  It and its contents were consumed.  No casualties on our side reported, and the loss of the rebels is not known.  Several must have been killed.  All quiet here.  No news from the Tennessee.

The bombardment to-day upon our side had been very heavy.  The mortars have kept up a regular and splendid fire.  The work admirably and with great precision.

At 2 o’clock this afternoon one o four shells struck the sunken steamer Winchester, which the rebels sank in the shoot.  The shell set her on fire and she was soon consumed.  She has been used as a rebel picket house.  The enemy has replied but a few times, and then wildly.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, Monday, April 28, 1862

We had company drill at 9 a. m. The weather is getting very warm; the sun shines hot, and we are sweeping our camp with brush brooms. We are being kept quite active, the doctors, we hear, having told the officers that the men would have better health if kept at work.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 46-7

From Tennessee

ST. LOUIS, April 7. – Despatches from Gen. Halleck state that Gen. Sturgis and Gen. Craig have been sent to the Indian territory.

Gen. Buell’s advanced guard has reached Gen. Grant.

Andrew Jackson Nulty, of Tennessee, reports the arrest of several prominent persons engaged in the rebellion, and that the Union cause is working well.

Gen. Jackson is near New Market, Virginia.  Gen. Johnson is a Gordonsville.

A refugee who came in today reports that one thousand Union men in Rockham county have taken to the mountains at Elk river on the Blue Ridge with a determination to resist, with arms, their impressments by the rebels.  This statement is believed.  Gen. Jackson threatens to subdue them by force, which they determine to resist.

The forces in front of Fremont are retreating towards the Shenandoah mountains.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Washington, April 7 [1862]

A telegraph dispatch was received here yesterday announcing that Gen. Mitchell with the forces under his command, had reached Shelbyville, Tennessee, and had been received with great enthusiasm by the inhabitants of that place.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

A correspondent of the Utica Observer . . .

. . . writing from Missouri, speaks of the discovery of divers[e] interesting relics found in the rebel camp.  Among others two human ribs, bearing the following inscription: – “The ribs of a New York Zouave, July 21, 1861,” soup dishes made of human skulls, &c.  In a railway car on a road running out of Macon, Georgia, hangs, or did hang a human skull, purporting to be that of a Yankee soldier killed at Bull Run.  It is useless to talk about southern society declining towards barbarism – it is already there.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Washington News

WASHINGTON, April 4. – Attorney General Bates has given his opinion that acts of January, and August, 1813, granting pensions for wounds or disabilities are applicable only to the forces thereby created, and will not cover the cases of those called into service by the acts of 22d July last, nor are their widows and orphans entitled to pensions under the act of 4th of July 1836.

Grave doubts may be suggested whether the existing laws make provision for pensions to the widows of those now in service who may die from disease or be killed in battle, and upon the whole question the Attorney General inclines to the opinion that there is no adequate provision of law by which such widows are entitled to a pension in addition to the bounties conferred by the acts of July last, the militia received under the Presidents Proclamation of the 15th of April 1861, which was in accordance with the law of the 2d August, 1813, and in cases of wounds and disabilities, entitled to pensions under its provisions.

Previous to adjournment to-day Senator Trumbull gave notice that he would call up the confiscation bill, and press it until disposed of.

An official war bulletin from the War Department creates two military departments.  First, that portion of Virginia and Maryland, lying between the mountains and the Blue Ridge, to be called the Department of the Shenandoah, to be commanded by Gen. Banks.  Second, that portion of Virginia, east of the Blue Ridge and west of the Potomac and the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, including the district of Columbia and the country between the Patuxet to be called the Department of the Rappahannock, to be under command of Gen. McDowell.

WASHINGTON, April 4. – A military hospital has been ordered to be established and New Albany, Indiana, and Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, has been converted into a military hospital.

The Secretary of War has communicated to Congress his opinion that the present organization of the Medical Bureau is inadequate to the service.  He has authorized the Surgeon General, of New Jersey, under the direction of the Governor, to organize a Volunteer Surgeon Corps, to render medical aid when requested.

A similar organization has been made under the Governor of Pennsylvania, and valuable service has been rendered.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Beauregard Out-flanked and Compelled to Fall Back!

NEW YORK, April 5. – The World’s special says private information, derived from a responsible source, has reached here that Beauregard has been out-flanked near Corinth and compelled to fall back, , and that a heavy body of troops is between the enemy and Memphis, and not far from the Mississippi.  Glorious news, adds the world, may be expected in a day or two.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, Sunday, April 27, 1862

Today we had company inspection. We had to go to work and clean up our camp and parade ground. The camp is in the timber. The water is very scarce and poor at that.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 46

A Reconnoissance by Gen. Sickles

WASHINGTON, April 14. – The Times’ correspondent telegraphs to-night from Budd’s Ferry as follows:

Hooker’s Division, Thursday, April 3.

A corps of picked men belonging to the Excelsior Brigade left Liverpool Point under command of Gen. Sickles, early on Tuesday morning for Stafford Court House, on a reconnoissance; the troops landed at the Shipping Point Batteries and marched from thence past Dumfrees through Acqua [sic] to Stafford, C. H.  There was skirmishing between a body of 600 rebel cavalry and the advance corps of Sickles’ command, six miles this side of Stafford, and firing on both sides was continued until we reached that place.  The rebels in their retreat set fire to the town and all the stores.  Our forces promptly stopped the conflagration.  A lot of provisions, horses, stores, &c., fell into our hands.  From Brooke station a force of 1,200 rebel infantry and a battery of 6 field pieces were moving up to support the cavalry.  After remaining in Stafford C. H. for three hours, camp fires were built on the hill to deceive the rebels while our force withdrew from the place.  Gen. Sickles with part of his corps arrived back at Shipping Point this morning; the rest came to Budd’s Ferry opposite Liverpool Point.  Our casualties were two wounded and a few missing.  The corps marched forty-eight miles in seventeen hours over the worst mountain roads.  At Fredericksburg there are few troops, they are falling back to Richmond.  The citizens state that the Confederate Government intend abandoning Virginia.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

A Spirited Chase After Secesh

NEW YORK, April 5. – A special dispatch to the Philadelphia Inquirer, dated Middleburg, via Baltimore, April 4, says Col. George’s advance encountered 100 of Merrit’s and White’s cavalry and Price’s infantry at Middleburg, Va., last Saturday.  He drove in the rebel pickets outside of Middleburg, when he entered the town and discovered the infantry in retreat, and cavalry posted to make a stand.  One gun was placed to command the main street, and the 28th advanced by the approaches to the town, while the main body rushed through it with bayonets fixed and on a double-quick, driving the enemy before them.  Col. George dashed at the head and at one time he was within 200 yards of the rebel cavalry.  Col. George’s command scoured the country as far down as Albu, from which place it returned as far as Scietarville to assist at Winchester, but the battle there was decided before it could get further.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4.

Editor’s Note:  This article has been transcribed as it appeared in the Hawk-Eye, and seems to be riddled with errors.  A more accurate but still slightly differing versions of this article appear in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 7, 1862, p. 1 and The New York Times, April 6, 1862.

Distinguished Arrival

WASHINGTON, April 5. – The arrival here of Lord Edward Cavendish, son of the late Duke of Devonshire, Lord Cecil, of the Rifle Brigade, stationed in Canada, and Col. Percy of the Northumberland Percy’s, now also stationed in Canada, is regarded as an event which claims for them a cordial reception, they being considered as a type of  a more friendly class in England than the members of Parliament, correspondents of the Press, and others, who, after visiting the South, return to Great Britain sympathizing with the rebels.

The Secretary of War directs that hereafter no persons belonging to the United States service shall be permitted to take passage in any public transport without special permission of the War Department.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, Saturday, April 26, 1862

Our regiment is now brigaded with Iowa soldiers, the brigade being completed today. Our brigade is composed of the Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Iowa Infantries, with Colonel Crocker in command.¹  We were inspected today by the general inspector of the army, and had all our accouterments on.

__________

¹ The brigade dating from April 27, 1862, became known as "Crocker's Iowa Brigade." It remained together throughout the war and maintains an organization to this day. — A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 46

Army Regulations

WASHINGTON, April 5. – Complaints having been made by the commanders of military posts that movements are impeded and discipline relaxed by the presence of male and female visitors, the Secretary of War has ordered that no passes be granted to visit Fortress Monroe or other military posts to any person not engaged in military service, and has authorized commanders of military posts to remove all persons not engaged in the service.  Passes for the purpose of trade and business are also refused.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Sent to Fort Warren

PHILADELPHIA, April 5. – The Bulletin learns from a gentleman just from Washington that Surgeon General Clement A. Finally, who has been removed from the head of the Medical Department of the Army, has been sent to Fort Warren, and that he passed through here last night.  The cause has not been ascertained. – Dr. Finally is a native of Ohio, but a resident of Lafayette City.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4