How the Prisoners are to Get their Pay

WAR DEPT., ADJ’T GENERAL’S OFFICE,

WASHINGTON, October 28, 1861

General Order No. 90

The following plan for paying the families of officers and soldiers in the service of the United States, who are, or may become prisoners of war, the sums due them by the Government, having been approved by the President, it is published for the information of all concerned.

Payments will be made to persons presenting written authority from a prisoner to draw his pay – or without such authority, to his wife, the guardian of his minor children, or his widowed mother or in the order named.

Applications for such pay must be made to the senior paymaster of the district in which the regiment of the prisoner is serving, and must be accompanied by the certificate of a judge of a court of the United States, of a District Attorney of the United States, or of some other party under the seal of a Court of Record of the State in which the applicant is a resident , setting forth that the said applicant is the wife of the prisoner, the guardian of his minor children, or his widowed mother, and if occupying either of the last two relationships towards him, there is no one who is more nearly related according to the above classification.

Payments will be made to parties thus authorized and identified, on their receipts made out in the manner that would be required of the prisoner himself, at least one month’s pay, being in all cases retained by the United States.  The officer making the payment will see that it is entered on the last previous muster roll for the payment of the prisoner’s or will report it, if those rolls are not in his possession, to the senior paymaster of the district; who will either attend to the entry or give notice to the payment to the Paymaster General, if the rolls have been forwarded to his office.  By order,

[Signed]

L. THOMAS

Adjutant General

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, August 5, 1862

The Eleventh Iowa drew two months’ pay today. I received $26. We are able to purchase most any kind of goods needed, right here at Bolivar only two miles from camp.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 61

Incident in Mahony’s Life

During a portion of the last summer, Mahony, through his Herald, so exasperated the loyal sentiment of the patriotic portion of the people of Dubuque, that he began to fear for the consequences.  The employees of the Herald went armed to the teeth, and on the passage of squads of volunteers along the street, pistols and guns were sometimes displayed at the Herald office windows.  Mahony at length took it into his head that he was no longer safe at night in his own house, and like other consummate villains before him, he had recourse to the Sanctuary.  He besought the Bishop to allow him to sleep in his own house.  The man of peace of course would not turn out the trembling wretch, and so Mahony found what he believed to be a secure asylum at the Rev. Father’s house.  Thither he repaired every evening at dark and as his mind was full of fears he regaled the man of peace with tales of horror about the threats and intentions of the “cowardly and bloody Abolitionists,” until even the good man feared for Mahony’s life. – Every sound on the street was eagerly listened to and every dog barks was a source of alarm.

Thus things went on for several nights until, one among the rest, when the fears of the rebel editor became unusually excited.  He had met with several sharp reprovals during the day, and he retired to the Bishop’s in a very dubious state of mind at night.  He regaled the good many with his usual tales of horror and fear, and in this state of mind retired to bed.

Some time about midnight, or a little after, a knock was heard at the front door.  Mahony who had been half asleep heard it instantly and started up in bed.  His burly form shook in terror from head to foot, and the bed trembled as if its occupant had a fit of ague, while he peered into the darkness and his ears stuck out from his head like a wolf’s.  Another knock and the Bishop heard it, and starting up in bed, said “Mahony, do you here that?”

“Oh, Lord!” groaned Mahony, “I’m gone.  They’ve come! they’ve come!” and springing out of bed, fell down on his marrow bones by the bedside, and began a most agonizing pray to the Madonna and all the Saints to pray for him, and the Savior of the world to have mercy on him.  Another knock louder than before and Mahony fairly jumped from his knees and shrieked in terror.  The good Bishop pitied the wretch in his agony, and tried to console him, even if his end had come, but he would not be reconciled to his fate, and made a bound for one of the windows, to get out headlong, which if he had accomplished, he would have been killed by the fall.  The good man held him back, and partly by force and partly by persuasion, got him to go down stairs with him, and examine whence the knocking proceeded.  Upon going to the door it was found that a poor harmless crazy person was the cause of all the knocking, and consequent fright.

Could we relate the above “incident in the life of Mahony,” as it was related to us, it would excite the broadest merriment, as well as show most conclusively the groundless fears of Mahony’s “guilty conscience.” – {Dubuque Times.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Theodore Pallet, Private, Co. G, 11th Iowa Infantry

Shiloh National Cemetery

Who are the Loyal, and Who are the Disloyal

From the Nashville Union, 29th

It is a source of honorable pride to contemplate the elements which constitute the loyal portion of our people, and contrast them with the faction of treason.  Loyalty can truly boast of possessing the material and substance which constitute a State, – the “high minded men,” who are the glory of all nations.  Treason on the contrary, has gathered in its retinue the frivolous, the ignorant, the conceited, the apes of foreign aristocracy, the dissolute and the profligate.  In ninety nine cases out of a hundred, men of experience, cultivation, correct morals and elevated principles, are hearty supporters of the Union.  In nine hundred and ninety nine cases out of a thousand the debauched, the reckless, the giddy voltaires of fashion, the bankrupts in political and pecunial fortune, the would be aristocrat and the snobs who follow at their heels are, the violent and malignant enemies of the union.  A man who makes his living by honest labor is in the great majority of cases loyal, while one who looks on labor as degrading, is equally apt to be disloyal.  Who originated and planned this rebellion?  Floyd, Cobb and Jeff Davis, men of wealth and the repudiators of public and private debts, Judah Benjamin, who was compelled to leave college in boyhood for base thefts from his school mates, and other political schemers whose large fortunes enabled them to dance attendance on the Courts of London and Paris.  The vigorous and manly and classic literature of the nation is loyal to the core.  The men who are honored abroad in the learned circles of Europe as poets, historians, jurists, and inventors, are without exception, as far as we recollect at present, firm and zealous loyalists.  The literature of the rebellion is confined to the few ranting stump speakers, of large gabble and little brains, and a few editors who write atrocious falsehoods in English that would disgrace a kitchen wench’s first attempt at a love letter.  On the side of loyalty, we have Bancroft, Everett, Prentice, Bryant, Longfellow, Mitchell, Dr. Breckenridge, Motley the historian, and a grand editorial corps of great power and brilliancy.  On the side of treason we find Armageddon and the Confederate Almanac and Primer, the last two works being plagiarisms from Yankee works!  The parallel or rather the contrast is one which will fill the patriotic heart with an honorable pride.  The rebels with more truth than they are aware of, often call this a rival of the war between the Puritans and the Cavaliers of England.  The two wars are indeed alike.  The same issues appear in both, the great issues of free Government and monarchy.  The leaders of the two parties are similar in their origin and character.  The voluptuous and profligate King Charles is no bad prototype of King Jeff while Oliver Cromwell, bluff, rugged and straight forward, is not unlike blunt and honest Abraham Lincoln, who possesses more true manliness and chivalry in his soul than all the officers in the rebel army from Beauregard to Isham G. Harris.  When we look at the rebel army we find it only the reflection of that of King Charles, both armies being made up of aristocratic leaders, followed by an idle vicious, demoralized mob.  The Union army, like that of Cromwell’s is made up of industrious, sober, substantial, God-fearing citizens.  The loyal forces will as surely destroy the rebel armies as the sturdy Puritans destroyed the mob of King Charles.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, August 4, 1862

I slipped out today between two guards and going up the river about a mile to a bakery near a mill, I bought a dozen apple pies. I returned safely to camp and sold the pies to some of the boys for double what I paid for them. Orders are very strict against absence from camp, for it is reported that a large force of the rebels is in this locality, and they may charge upon our camp any time.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 61

Henry C. Ady, Private, Co. H, 11th Iowa Infantry

Shiloh National Cemetery

Late and Important from Western Maryland -- The Union Spirit Overwhelming

At Cumberland, Md., as we learn from the Wheeling Intelligencer, the excitement on Monday was not less than it was in Baltimore.  A large crowd assembled in front of the residence of Col. Tom McKaig, a prominent Secessionist, when a pistol was fired from a window of the house.  They then commenced throwing stones at the window which they completely demolished.  The stable of McKaig was set on fire and destroyed.  All the prominent Secessionists were compelled to leave town upon short notice.  The mob was started by the exultant manner of the Secessionists, on the reception of the news of Banks’ rout.

At Hagerstown, Md., the Union men were terribly exasperated and destroyed the office of the Mail, a secession paper, and the Secessionists were fleeing the place.  The Union men of Virginia were crossing over into Maryland with their families, at Hancock and other points, and the hills were swarming with men, women and children.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Imposition Upon Soldiers

The Davenport Gazette of the 27th, calls attention to certain gross outrages inflicted upon soldiers by some of the steamboats on the river and particularly by the St. Louis and Keokuk line.  The Gazette relates the following facts:  A private of the 14th regiment named William Harvey, from Jones county arrived in town on the Kate Cassell Sunday, from Keokuk.  Mr. Harvey when at St. Louis, was directed to the Die Vernon as a through boat to Dubuque, and did not discover his mistake till too late for the Canada, which was just leaving.  He accordingly came up to Keokuk on the Vernon, and in payment for his passage handed his through pass onto the Clerk, who returned him a ticket entitling him to a passage on the Kate Cassell. – This ticket, brought him only to Davenport, leaving him to make his way to Dubuque the best way he could.  The officers of the Bill Henderson kindly took him to Dubuque yesterday, running the risk of getting their pay.  The Die Vernon will charge Government for passage to Dubuque, of course, and thus make the price of the trip from Davenport to Dubuque clear.  This would be a mere trifle if it were the first occasion of the kind, but the Gazette is assured that the St. Louis and Keokuk boats frequently serve soldiers in that way and in some cases give them no pass beyond Keokuk.  Whether this be true or not soldiers complain very much of the treatment they received from that line of boats when coming home wounded.  If the owners of these or other boats cannot afford to treat soldiers decently, disabled in the cause of their country, they should be made to do it.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, August 3, 1862

When the sick call was made this morning, I went to see the doctor for the first time. I was threatened with fever and the doctor gave me three “Blue Mass” pills and marked me off duty for three days.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 61

Emancipation of Slaves in the Dutch Colonies

By our last arrivals we have learned the final action of the Dutch Government in respect to the abolition of Slavery in its colonies.  No further importation of slaves is to be allowed at Japan and the neighboring islands. – Those already there are being nearly freed under progressive emancipation.  In the West Indies similar steps have been taken.  A Surinam paper says that all the slaves in the Dutch American possessions are to be free on the 1st of July 1863, on the following conditions:

1st.  An indemnity to be paid to the proprietors of each slave man, woman or child, of three hundred guilders, or about one hundred and twenty dollars United States money.

2d.  The slaves are to be subjected to a system of apprenticeship on the plantations for three years, and received for their labor a certain amount of wages; one-half of which is to be paid to the Government.

The Dutch possessions in America are Guinea, St. Eustatius, Curacoa, St. Martin and Saba.

Guinea contains a free population of fifteen thousand souls and thirty seven thousand five hundred blacks.  St. Eustatius, a Leeward island, has five thousand whites and twenty thousand blacks, and has been in the undisturbed possession of the Dutch since 1814.

Of the number of the slaves in the other colonies we have no account.  It is well know however, Curacua once carried on every extensive slave trade from the port of St. Barbara.

Thus steadily does the work of emancipation proceed throughout the world, to be followed up, beyond all question in some philanthropic and satisfactory form, by a similar movement in this country. – {N. Y. Post.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

A New Weapon In The Army – "Coffee Mills"

The correspondent of the Philadelphia Press with Gen. McClellan’s army says:

“In one of the brigades of the Union army they have six guns of a new construction, and terribly effective.  We have not yet learned their names.  The men designate them ‘coffee mills.’  It is a heavy rifle barrel mounted on wheels.  At the breach is a kind of clock-work machinery, surrounded by a hopper similar to the hopper of a coffee mill, at the side is a crank.

One man turns the crank, while another supplies the cartridges, and a third sights the gun.  By means of a leaver he moves it laterally, or raises or depresses it at pleasure.  Its effective range is 1¼ miles.  It throws 240 balls per minute, the size of an ordinary minié ball.  When operated with, the rebels were utterly amazed, not knowing what to make of them.  One of these guns properly worked, and well supplied with cartridges, is estimated to equal about 300 men.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, August 2, 1862

I was detailed on brigade guard this morning, but was taken sick while at my post and was relieved at 11 a. m.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 61

The Charleston Mercury, in anticipation of . . .

. . . an attack there, puts the query – “Is not Charleston to be defended?” and a correspondent, speaking of a contemplated surrender of the city says – “If, indeed this decree is written in the book of fate then let us know it at once, that patriots may have the chance to die before so terrible a doom shall overtake them.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

A gentleman who has just returned from Mexico . . .

. . . where he had excellent opportunity of acquiring information, expresses the opinion that the French and rebels have an understanding with regard to operations in that country.  He confirms the report that the rebels are attempting to get a footing in the states of Sonora and Chihuahua, with the design of annexing them and Lower California to the dominions of Jeff. Davis, and of thus having a Pacific coast and one excellent harbor there at least, Gauymas.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Northern troops in hot climates are . . .

. . . said to enjoy more robust health and perform more work, under certain precautions as to health, than natives.  Actual experience in Jamaica under the direction of Capt. Marryatt, and in Africa under Dr. Livingston, the great explorer, has proved the ability of northern men to withstand the most deadly of the tropical miasmata.  Capt. Marryatt, demonstrated the utility of wearing flannel next the skin.  Dr. Livingston proved the value of quinine as a prophylactic.  At Port Royal our troops use quinine with whisky, in the proportion of two grains of powdered quinine dissolved in half a gill of whisky, diluted with half a gill of water.  This is taken in the morning before eating, and again at night, by troops exposed to malaria, and it is said that so far from promoting intemperance it really gives a distaste for intoxicating drinks.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

General Butler has . . .

. . . the faculty of using the right language at the right time.  During a recent interview with Mayor Monroe, the latter remarked that “he (Gen. Butler) had always been a friend of the South.”  The General here interrupted him with the following remarks: “Stop, sir, let me set you right on that point at once.  I was always a friend to Southern rights, and an enemy to Southern wrongs.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, August 1, 1862

All hands are at work cleaning up our camp. We have a very pretty camping ground right on the bank of the river. The entire Crocker Brigade is in this camp and is in command of General Crocker.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 61

A young lady named McConn . . .

. . . was saved from falling out of a second story window at Cohoes, N. Y., being caught hold of by the feet.  Her modesty was so much shocked by the liberty that a young man took in rescuing her in this style, that she left Cohoes the next morning and has not been seen since.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Coolness On The Field

A lad of fifteen years of age belonging to the 5th Wisconsin, whose name is Douglas, and resides at Beaver Dam, was in the battle of Williamsburg, and got his gun wet so that he could not fire.  During the hottest of the fight, and whilst the regiment was falling back, he deliberately sat down, took out his screw driver, unscrewed the tube from his gun, dried it out, put it back, capped it, got up and put into the field as if nothing unusual was going on.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1