From Missouri

ROLLA, Jan. 27. – A gentleman who left his home in Green county, a few miles from Springfield, on Wednesday arrived here yesterday.  He says there are no entrenchments being built at Springfield and but little uneasiness is manifested by Price or his officers.  There is a general cry for reinforcements, and the rebels say they are on their way, but their accounts do not agree as to number.  He met a large number of federal troops at Lebanon, and our pickets were out several miles beyond that place.  A skirmish had taken place near Lebanon on the entrance of our troops and a rebel Captain killed and several men taken prisoners.  Government teams are constantly moving westward, but the roads are almost impassable owing to the depth of the mud.

OTTERVILLE, MO., Jan. 29. – The movement foreshadowed by the reparations for the past week has taken place.  One division, under the command of Gen. Jeff. C. Davis has already taken up its march for the South.  They left Versailles yesterday morning.  Their destination is supposed to be Springfield.

The division consists of five regiments, the 8th and 22d Indiana, the 37th Illinois and 9th Missouri accompanied by two potteries of 24 pieces and three companies of cavalry under command of Major Hubbard.  From the skill and energy of Gen. Davis important results are confidently predicted.

The next division under General Turner is expected to leave to-morrow or Friday.  They will probably cross on a parallel and more western line.

Emissaries from Price, bearing printed commissions, signed by him, are busily recruiting through all this section.  A number have been captured and brought in, upon whom the documents were found.  They are authorized to enlist for three to twelve months or during the war.

There are about fifty prisoners here, awaiting the order of the Provost Marshal General.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Expulsion of Bright

(Special to the Tribune.)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28. – A telegram, signed by Representatives McKean, Fenton, Wheeler, Clark, Spaulding, Frank, Van Valkenburg, Pomeroy and Baker, of New York, was sent to Albany to-day, urging the Legislature to pass resolutions instructing Senators Harris and King to vote for the expulsion of the traitor Bright. – More of the New York Delegation would have signed the paper had they been in session.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

From Cairo

CAIRO, Jan. 29. – Dispatches receive3d here to-day from Cape Girardeau, state that Captain Murdock arrived there yesterday, bringing 25 prisoners form Castor Creek.  Also that Major Herr, late of Jeff. Thompson’s command, arrived last with a flag of truce from Thompson to arrange for an exchange of prisoners.

The 13th Missouri, Col. Wright, arrived here this p.m. from St. Louis, and will go to Smithland at once.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, June 16, 1862

It came my turn for the first time to go on fatigue. Our men are throwing up a line of breastworks and building some very strong forts. I worked all day at one of the big forts built for the siege guns. The fort is fifteen feet high, with a ditch in front fifteen feet wide and ten feet deep. At the top within each fort the guns will be mounted on a dirt platform about ten feet high so as to afford a good view in front. When the works are completed on this grand scale it will require one million men to defend them.¹

__________

¹ These works were never completed, the commanding general having called off the work. It was a good thing that it was discontinued, for the heavy work during the hot weather would have greatly injured the men. — A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 54

Confederate Troops And Casualties At Fort Donelson

Interpretive Marker in front of the Visitors Center
Fort Donelson National Battlefield

C. S. A. CONFEDERATE TROOPS AND CASUALTIES AT FORT DONELSON
	Strength	Killed	Wounded	Missing	Aggregate
Buckner’s Division Brown’s Brigade Hanson’s Regiment	3425	*51	*314	41	*406
	2825	38	247	41	326
	600	*13	*67		*80
Johnson’s Division Heiman’s Brigade Drake’s Brigade Davidson’s Brigade	*4309	*96	*311		*407
	1600	10	30		40
	*1215	*18	*63		*81
	1494	68	218		286
Pillow’s Division Baldwin’s Brigade McCausland’s Brigade Wharton’s Brigade	2633	83	382	120	585
	58	42	216		258
	650	24	86		110
	625	17	80	120	217
Non-Divisional Units Head’s Brigade Forrest’s Cavalry Artillery Not Brigaded	*2722	*27	*67		*94
	*1600	*17	*47		*64
	*842	*8	*16		*24
	*280	*2	*4		*6
Total	*13,089	*257	*1069	161	*1492
* Estimated

Iowa Legislature

(Special to Burlington Hawk-Eye)

DES MOINES, Man, 29, 1862

SENATE. – Mr. McCRARY, of Van Buren, introduced a resolution instructing the Committee on Ways and Means to inquire into the expediency of reducing the salary of the Governor’s Aids.

The Committee on Ways and means reported a substitute for the House bill assuming the Federal tax.

The Military Committee reported a Joint resolution instructing the Governor to procure the balance of the State quota of arms for 1861-2 in long range rifles, instead of ordering muskets.

Mr. WOOLSON reported back from the committee of Ways and Means an act authorizing warrants issued by the Auditor on the War and Defence Fund to be receivable in payment of State taxes.  Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.  Also, a bill providing for the taxation of railroads.

The Senate bill making Iowa money and U. S. Treasury notes receivable for taxes was made the special order for to-morrow.  They spent the balance of the day in Committee of the Whole on Court of quarter sessions bill.

HOUSE. – Mr. FARRELL, of Johnson, introduced a bill exempting young orchards from taxation 10 years.

Mr. LANE, of Scott, introduced a bill authorizing an increase in the number of meetings of boards of supervisors in counties over 20,000 inhabitants.

Mr. ROTHROCK, of Cedar, offered a resolution giving all the foreigners now in our army full naturalization papers on their receiving an honorable discharge from such service.  Referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. McPHERSON, of the Senate, and EATON, of the House, were appointed a committee of Conference to-day on the division of the State into Congressional Districts.

DES MOINES, Jan. 30

HOUSE. – The military committee reported a joint resolution asking the attention of the War Department to the fact that the Eighth Iowa Regiment are without proper tents, have insufficient arms, and no ambulances or hospital stores, and urges that something should be done for their relief.  Also, a joint resolution asking the General Government to pay Col. Edward’s troops for service in Missouri last fall.

Mr. FLINT of Wapello, introduced an infamous bill providing that no negro or mulatto shall come into, or reside in the State without filing his free papers and giving bond in five hundred dollars, for good behavior, and a violation renders him liable to be taken up and hired out to the highest bidder, to the board of supervisors.  Also, granting the right of transit to masters with slaves, through this state.  The vote to indefinitely postpone was 74 to 15.

The House adopted the Senate bill assuming the direct tax of $452,000 annually, and authorizing the Government to notify the Secretary of the Treasury immediately.

SENATE. – The Senate adopted the bill giving jurors $1.50 per day and ten cents mileage, also passed the bill from the Committee of Ways and Means authorizing county Treasurers to receive U. S. Treasury notes and the issues of the State Bank of Iowa in payment of interest and principal of school fund.

PROMOTIONS. – Second Sergeant G. W. Harlan to First Lieut., Co. C, 4th Infantry; Sergeant Major F. Earle [sic], to First Lieut., Co. I, 8th Infantry; First Lieut. E. J. Weiser to Captaincy, Co. D, 3d Infantry; Capt. Stiver[s], 14th Infantry resigned.

Col. Noyes of the Governor’s staff, goes to Davenport to-morrow to superintend the shipment of clothing and hospital stores to Iowa troops in accordance with the resolution of the General Assembly, also if possible to consolidate the German regiment with the Sixteenth Regiment.

T. H. S.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

From Cairo

CAIRO, Man 28. – The river is still rising.  Six feet more will sweep over Fort Holt.

All kinds of reports are in circulation this evening in regard to a fight in Missouri.  The latest is that Gen. Payne is likely to cut off Jeff Thompson’s retreat at Sykestown, as it is believed that he cannot reach New Madrid by any other route, the late rains having filled the swamps with water, thus rendering them impassable.

Troops are still arriving.  A regiment from St. Louis arrived this evening.

Col. Doughtery made a contact with a Connecticut Yankee to-day for a new leg.  It is warranted superior to the original with the exception that should a ball strike it would bleed.

I learned from good authority to-day that the Chaplain in Col. Lawler’s regiment never makes his appearance except on pay day.

Quatermaster Baxter left for Washington on Saturday morning.  Capt. Turnley arrived to-day and will take possession as District Quartermaster.

Contractors are not so numerous as they were a few days ago.  Some of the railroad men are still smelling around after contracts.

CAIRO, Jan 29. – The 12th Iowa Regiment, Col. Wood, arrived yesterday.  It left for Smithland last evening.  It is armed with the Enfield rifle.

The 16th Illinois and the 18th Missouri Regiments are on the road hither.

The force composing the expedition which left Bird’s Point on Saturday are returning. – Nothing was accomplished except the capture of a number of Thompson’s men.

The country beyond Charleston was found to be infested with Guerilla bands who are plundering every one Union and rebel alike, but they would not make any stand for battle.

The Federal troops marched nearly to Sykestown.  Gen. Payne has determined to occupy Charleston.  For that purpose a regiment of infantry and a detachment of cavalry will remain at that place.

A large rebel mail containing several hundred letters, has been captured above this place on the Mississippi river.  It contained letters of importance from Bowling Green and other rebel camps.

It is now snowing hard here.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, June 15, 1862

There were five hundred men from the Sixth Division detailed to go out and cut down the timber in front of the fortifications around the camp. The trees are cut so as to make them fall outward toward the approach of an enemy; the branches are then sharpened, making what is called an abatis.

The trees in a space six hundred feet wide and twenty miles long are being felled. We had company inspection at 5 o'clock in the evening.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 53-4

Federal Troops And Casualties At Fort Donelson

Interpretive Marker in front of the Visitors Center
Fort Donelson National Battlefield

U. S. A. FEDERAL TROOPS AND CASUALTIES AT FORT DONELSON
McClernand’s Division Oglesby’s Brigade Wallace’s Brigade Morrison’s Brigade	Strength	Killed	Wounded	Missing	Aggregate
	8000	311	1058	183	1552
		184	603	66	853
		99	350	98	547
		28	105	19	152
Smith’s Division McArthur’s Brigade Cook’s Brigade Lauman’s Brigade Smith’s Brigade	7000*	145	819	23	987
		69	340	20	429
		10	109	2	121
		55	301	1	357
		11	69	--	80
Wallace’s Division Cruft’s Brigade Thayer’s Brigade	6500*	44	231	18	293
		35	182	16	233
		9	39	2	50
Artillery Not Brigaded		--	10	--	10
TOTAL	21,500*	500	2,108	224	2,832
* Estimated

A Forward Movement of Troops in Missouri

ROLLA, Jan. 29. – The latest information from the West is that our army is encamped at Lebanon in considerable numbers.  Major Wright’s Battalion is quartered in houses lately occupied by Secessionists, but the greater portion of the troopers are encamped just beyond the town.  No troops except scouts have advanced beyond that town nor is it probable they will until other regiments on the way shall have arrived.

Form a gentleman who has recently arrived from Webster County I learn that Captain Freeman who has been carrying on a thieving and pillaging business in Webster, Douglas, Wright and other Counties was killed about a week since, in a skirmish which took place in Webster County between Union men and Secessionists.  It was at first reported to be Col. Freeman, of Polk, which proves untrue.  The Colonel is more influential but no meaner man than this Freeman.

General Curtis and staff departed several days ago to join the army in the field.  This would indicate that the campaign is to be pushed forward with energy.

Gen. Sigel has arrived from St. Louis and it is understood he will go forward with the expedition now under way.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Texan Rangers Surprised

WASHINGTON, Man 29. – A dispatch from Gen. Heintzelman, dated Fort Lyon to-day, addressed to Assistant Adjutant General Williams, says, last night a force of 50 men of the 37th New York regiment under Lieut. Col. Burke, sent out by Col. Hayman, surprised the enemy, some Texas rangers, at Mrs. Lee’s House at the head of Belmont, on Occaquon Bay.  The rebel force was about 30 men.  They fought till all but one was killed whom Col. Burke took prisoner.  Our loss was one killed and four wounded.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Rebel News From Richmond

BALTIMORE, Jan 28. – The Richmond Dispatch of yesterday has the following:

New [Berne], North Carolina, is in a ferment of excitement in expectation of an attack in that quarter.  The town is under martial law and every preparation is being made.

(Later from Mill Creek.)

Gen. Crittenden and his staff are safe and unwounded.  General Carroll and staff are safe.  Our loss is reported at 300 killed.  The enemy’s loss is supposed to be twice this number.

Nashville, Jan. 24, via Mobile 25. – The most reliable information of the engagement at or near Somerset is that only two regiments. Col. Buttle’s Tennessee and Col. Statham’s Mississippi, were engaged in the fight near Mill Springs.

Fort Henry is still safe – the enemy for some reason having withdrawn from its immediate vicinity.  The shots of the gun boats were not replied to from the Fort, which will be held at all hazards.

Paris was in a perfect ferment of excitement yesterday.  Many anticipating an immediate descent of the enemy, which they deemed themselves utterly powerless to resist, were preparing to leave their negroes and other property.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, June 14, 1862

We came in from picket this morning, having been relieved by the Thirteenth Iowa. We do not have much idle time here, for besides keeping our camp and clothing clean, we have picket duty and fatigue duty on the fortifications.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 53

Richard Higham

Private, Co. A, 2nd Iowa Infantry

Died February 15, 1862

Fort Donelson National Cemetery

Dover, Tennessee