Iowa Items

A large company, consisting of 43 persons, having with them 12 wagons and 116 horses, passed through Iowa City last week bound for California.  They were from Northern Illinois.

RESIGNED. – Maj. Brodtbeck, of the 12th regiment has resigned on account of ill health.  Gen. Grant refused him permission to return home when taken sick, but gave him the alternative of going to the hospital or resigning.  He tried the former, but finding his health not improving he gave up his commission.

D. A. Mahony & Co., of the Dubuque Herald, sued the postmaster of that city, at the late term of the U. S. Court, for a claim of $35, for publishing uncalled-for letters from April to December, 1861, and also for $2,000 for not publishing the letter list in the Herald.  The defendant demurred, and the Court sustained the demurrer, holding the plaintiff had no cause of action, and if he had the Court had no jurisdiction.  This is “rough” on Mahony, who had been threatening “starting developments” would be made when the U. S. Court met.

The following Iowa wounded were brought to Keokuk last Monday:

Jasper T. Hubbard, Co. H, 2d; R. H. Jones, Co. G, 6th; J. W. West, Co. G, 7th; Edward T. Lanning, do; R. Austin, Co. H, 7th; H. Nichols, Co. F, 13th; C. H. Martin, Co. G. 13th; M. T. Snyder, Co. K, 13th; H. Loomis Co. G, 14th.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

Tornado in Iowa

A fierce tornado passed through the Southern portion of our State on the 15th inst., doing considerable damage to property, and severely injuring some persons, though no lives were lost.  Its effects were visible so far as we have learned, in Ringgold and [Mahaska] counties.  It seems to have taken a northeasterly course and descended to the earth in the counties above mentioned.  Indianapolis, in the last named county, suffered considerably, a number of buildings being destroyed, including the village church.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

Lieut. Noel B. Howard . . .

. . . of Clinton county, has been appointed Captain of Co., 2d regiment, in place of Captain Cox, resigned.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

The Gallant Iowans

Iowa is a young State, but it is the home of heroes.  With the present war she has begun a war history that yields in splendor and honor to that of no State in the Union, and no country on the globe.  Her soil is the birthplace of a new chivalry, and he has become the mother of a new race of heroes.  Her soldiers are as modest as they are brave.  They are not fierce braggarts.  They are as gentle and tractable as children.

But when the storm of blood begins they are the guiding and governing heroes of the tempest.  Where the harvest of death is to be reaped, they are the foremost of the reapers.  Where a perilous assault is to be made, somehow or other there is always an Iowa regiment, or the wasted shadow of and Iowa regiment, to lead it.  It was so at Wilson’s creek; it was so at Belmont; it was show at Fort Donelson; it was so at Shiloh; it will ever be so throughout the war.

All our Western troops have been heroes, but the Iowa troops have been heroes among heroes.  The “Iowa First,” “Iowa Second,” “Iowa Fourth,” and “Iowa Seventh,” are bodies of men who would have given an additional luster even to Thermopylae, Marathon, Austerlitz, or Wagram, and all Americans may be proud of Iowa. – St. Louis News.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

From The Second Iowa Cavalry

HAMBURG, Harding Co., Tenn., April 25.

FRIEND SANDERS:  When I left Davenport I promised to write you occasionally.  I have kept my word, though I have only written you once before this, for I understand occasionally to mean when there is occasion for it, or in other words when there is something to write, worth your trouble to print and the public to read.  Such occasions in the army are rare, for generally that which may be written is hardly worth the effort, and everything really valuable or important is prohibited.  Of our travels and exploits as a regiment you have a very faithful and lively reporter in the person of “Diff,” who keeps you fully posted, but I have an item or two which deserves to be published, to the credit of our regiment and satisfaction of their friends.

Many regiments have taken special pains to report the amount of money sent home by the soldiers, and heartily approving the practice, I desire to speak for the 2d Iowa Cavalry.  Last week I took from New Madrid to Cairo, to express to the families of soldiers, fourteen thousand and six hundred dollars, nearly all from our regiment; and full ninety-five per cent. of the amount went to Iowa, and probably not less than six or seven more was sent by private hands and by mail; besides many of our officers being in Cairo at about the same time expressed their own packages.  When it is known that the regiment had nearly four months’ pay due and only received for two months, this amount I think will compare favorably with that sent from any other regiment under same circumstances.

I have another little incident which I consider it a pleasure and a duty to relate, as a public acknowledgment of personal obligation, as follows:  Some weeks ago while on a trip from New Madrid to Cairo after the mail for Gen. Pope’s division, I was compelled to leave my horse at Sikeston, when some rascal, being a better judge of horseflesh than of morals, stole my horse, to recover which it cost me several days of anxiety and tedious travel, besides considerable money.  Yesterday Lt. Col. Hatch and Capt. Sanford, Co. H, presented me with seventy dollars in behalf of the officers of their regiment, to reimburse me for the expense of the above, and for my late trip to Cairo as express messenger.  The value, to me, of this compliment is not at all expressed in figures.  The good feeling and sympathy that prompted it, and of which the act is evidence, is worth more to me than treasury notes.  I only hope I may always deserve their confidence and they always enjoy their prosperity their liberality deserves.

As predicted in my last the general health of our men is much improved.  The more frequent our changes and the nearer the prospect of battle, the better the health.  I have known men quite sick in hospital to rally under marching orders and be able to travel in twenty-four hours, or at least they would travel and do when permitted, so reluctant are they to be left behind.

Having passed over my ground proper, leaving country, scenery, exploits and trophies for “Diff,”

I remain yours, &c.,

C. G. TRUSDELL,

Chaplain 2d Iowa Cavalry.

__________

FRIEND SANDERS:  On Tuesday last the 22d, after a week of entire seclusion, the sun rose in all his former brightness and glory, giving a more cheering prospect to things generally.

Lieut. Col. Hatch, in command of the 2nd cavalry, with the staff and two companies, had been transferred from an over-crowded boat, to the Platte Valley.  After taking aboard forage, she steamed up to Mound City, and took on coal for the trip.  Col. Hatch and Major Love visited the two hospitals at Cairo and reported everything kept in A No. 1, style – eight hundred sick and wounded in one and five hundred in the other.  Mound City is beautifully submerged, the water being up to the windows of the houses.  The Hospitals being large high building suffer none, except the basement, which is not occupied.

In the evening we left Mound City for this place, passing Paducah in the night.  Next morning we found ourselves on a swollen but most beautiful river.  The Tennessee is a narrow stream, the banks rising at this high stage of water from ten to one hundred feet above the water level, with generally level bottoms extending from a quarter to two miles from the river.  In some places the bluffs approach to the water’s edge.  About 9 o’clock we landed at Fort Henry.  It is not more than four feet above the water at present, and gunboats had a fine range for their guns at that Fort.  The rebels had commenced works on top of a high ridge, half a mile from the river, a few miles above, in a much stronger position, but the sudden appearance of our gunboats caused them to skedaddle.

Here is a navigable river flowing for near three hundred miles through a fine, rich soil, and a climate second to none, possessed of unusual natural advantages, in the heart of a country long settled, yet we pass along near two hundred miles and witness not a single town, not even in name, and on average I do not think one plantation in five miles.  What a commentary on “the institution.”  Were it in free Iowa, what a different scene would it present, thousands of happy homes, some cities and scores of thriving villages.

On Thursday morning, the 23d, we arrived at Pittsburg Landing.  We soon got orders to move up five miles to this place, and disembarked.  Gen. Pope’s division is on the left flank at this place, with the cavalry on the extreme left.  The right is thrown out for the river below the landing, while the centre is held by Gen. Buell’s division.  Our lines must, I think, present a front of eight or ten miles.

At the place where our troops poured back to the river on the 6th, there is a fine rolling bluff, perhaps a hundred feet high, over which it is said our troops swarmed by thousands.  Less than half a mile above is a slough running up back of the bluff.  Our gunboats took position at the mouth of the slough and saved our army.

The battle-field presents a view of the rough side of war, many of the rebels being buried on top of the ground, which has washed off, leaving here an arm, there a leg, and again a skull exposed to view, while the stench arising from the shallow graves is far from pleasant.

The day we arrived, the cavalry got orders to move five miles out on the Corinth road.  The 1st battalion is now camped there.  A rain set in during the night and continuing, the order was suspended in the morning.  To-day is clear again, and a few days will make the roads passable.  The engineers are at work on the road.

I do not know the number of our forces here, and wouldn’t tell if I did; but we have enough to whip Beauregard’s rebel hoards, and crown with victory the decisive battle of the Mississippi valley.  Within ten days you may chronicle the glorious result.

For 2nd cavalry, address to Gen. Pope’s division, Tennessee river.  Hoping to give you details of the battle after the victory, I am yours,

DIFF.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

At the State election in October . . .

. . . the voters of Iowa will select the following officers: Secretary, Auditor, Treasurer, and Register of State Attorney General, and six Members of Congress; Judges and District Prosecutors, and Clerks of the District Court.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

Miraculous Escape

Bernard Maginn, the boy that started on the Tycoon for Pittsburg, but was put off at Evansville, had a narrow escape from death.  The boat arrived at Evansville during the night time; young Maginn, half awake, was getting off the boat, but fell into the river.  He went under the water and caught the wheel at it was revolving.  He clung fast and made two revolutions and a half, which singular enough was done, and he got out uninjured. – Cin. Com., 21st.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

People should bear in mind . . .

. . . that mutilated U. S. Treasury Notes are not redeemable at their full value.  A ten dollar note with a corner torn off is only worth nine dollars.  The counterfeiters are making quite a business of mutilating notes and pasting the pieces together to form a new one.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

B. Gratz Brown . . .

. . . formerly editor of the St. Louis Democrat, it is said will be a straight out emancipation candidate for Congress in St. Louis.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, September 7, 1862

There have been no rebels to see us yet. Things are very quiet today; the weather being so hot, no one cares to stir.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 66

Paper From Corn Leaves

The London Mechanic’s Magazine states that excellent paper is now made in Europe from the leaves of Indian corn.  There is one paper mill in Switzerland, and another in Austria, in which paper is made from such leaves exclusively.

Paper of that kind ought to be cheap, for the material is abundant enough; and if it has been successfully manufactured in the old world, it will not be long before it will be introduced on this continent.  We believe the Philadelphia Ledger is printed on paper manufactured of straw, and it is said to be a good article.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

First Division, Army of the Tennessee: Historic Plaque, near Woolf Field, Shiloh National Military Park

U. S.

FIRST DIVISION, ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE.

MAJ. JOHN A. MccLERNAND

1ST BRIGADE,	COL. ABRAHAOM M. HARE, 11TH IOWA (W’D).
	COL. MARCELLUS M. CROCKER, 13TH IOWA.
2ND BRIGADE,	COL. CARROLL MARSH, 20TH ILLINOIS
3RD BRIGADE,	COL. JULIUS RAITH, 43RD ILL. (MORTALLY W’D)
	LT. COL. ENOS P. WOOD, 17TH ILLINOIS.
BATTERY ‘D’ 1ST ILL. LT. ARTY., CAPT. EDWARD McALLISTER, (W’D).
BATTERY ‘D’ 2D ILL. LT. ARTY., CAPT. JAMES P. TIMONY.
BATTERY ‘E’ 2D ILL. LT. ARTY., LIEUT. GEORGE L. NISPEL.
14TH BATTERY, OHIO LT. ARTY., CAPT. JEROME B. BURROWS, (W’D).
6 COMPANIES OF ILLINOIS CAVALRY.

This Division encamped here March 21, 1862; the 1st Brigade on the right, in Jones Field, the 2d in the center, its left on the Corinth Road; the 3d along the Hamburg Road south of Review Field.

During the battle on Sunday, April 6, 1862, the Division occupied seven positions on the field as follows: the first, by the 3d Brigade, east of Shiloh Church; the second, by the Division, along the Corinth Road; 9 A.M. to 11 A.M.; the third position, at right angles across the center of its 2d Brigade Camp, at 11:15 A.M.; the fourth position in Jones Field.  From its fourth position the Division advanced and at 12 M. recovered its 2d Brigade Camp and Division Headquarters.  It then fell back, fighting to Jones field again, and held this, its fifth position until 2:30 P.M. when it retired to its sixth position in Cavalry Field.  At 4:30 P.M. it occupied its 7th line, along the Hamburg and Savannah Road.

On Monday it was engaged in the camps of its First and Second Brigades.  The Division had present for duty, of all arms, officers and men, 6941.  It losses were 285 killed; 1372 wounded; 85 missing; total 1742.

Democrat on the Negro

We are not aware that the Democrat of this city has got a new hand at the bellows, but certainly its issue of yesterday abounded with more than its usual quota of ignorance and defamation.  Were we to turn around – which heaven forbid – and utter a tithe of the secession sympathizing sentiments of that sheet our readers would drop the paper instanter [sic] and tell us we had better face toward Dixie; yet they will read this sheet day after day, curse its sentiments from the bottom of their loyal hearts and continue to pat its editor patronizingly on the back!  Its leader of yesterday was a medley of stupidity and calumny, and at the same time a remarkable exhibition of quick exemplification of what we predicted but the day before, that soon our secesh contemporaries would ring in our ears that the result of their own action in flooding the North with negroes, was the work of the Republican party.  It is true that the Democrat uses the word Abolitionists to designate Republicans, but every reader of that sheet knows that he is in the habit of using them interchangeably.  He charges that the flooding of the North with negroes is just what the Republicans of the country have been so long working and intriguing for; that they regard this freedom as paramount to the government, the Union, or the Constitution.  That is folly; we doubt the sincerity of a man who will write so, and the sense of the man who thinks so.  In the abstract, we do not suppose a Garrisonian has much more love for the negro than a pro-slavery Democrat, only that he awards more humanity to him and would treat him accordingly.

It is for the principle of freedom that Republicans contend; and while they commiserate the condition of the unfortunate slave, it is not that they bear a greater degree of love for even so much for the negro as they do for their own species, but because they believe the act of man enslaving his fellow man is barbarous, inhuman, sinful, and dragging down our nation in glory, prosperity and morality.  The editor who contends that the fact of the refugee slaves seeking the North is the result of the operations of Republican principles shows a degree of ignorance, a degradation of intellect, that unfits him for his occupation.  The very fact that congress does not and has not passed an act confiscating the slaves of rebels, and assigning them freedom at the South, is the cause of their seeking that freedom at the North; and the Democrat, and kindred sheets that protest against the passage of such act, are responsible for the North being flooded with fugitive slaves.  The Democrat protests against assigning the negro a home at the South as an act of tyranny, and denounces his appearance at the North as an unwelcome intruder.  Alas! what is to become of the poor negro!  Keep him as a slave, argues the Democrat, it is the only condition fit for him, and all rebeldom says amen.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

An Incident at Nashville

One of the soldiers of the 69th regiment Ohio, now in Nashville, writes to a fellow citizen that the Secesh are still rife and rabid among the rich and purse-proud in that city and in the State of Tennessee.  The laboring classes and the poor are devoted to the Union, and greet our troops wherever they go.  The correspondent gives an amusing incident which occurred between him and two ladies (?) of the rebel corps in Nashville:  “I happened to stop to look in a window, where there were some engravings, two finely dressed ladies standing by at the same place; one of them slightly turned her head and looked at me disdainfully, and curling up her lips, remarked to her companion, ‘Another Lincoln hireling.’  I stood on my dignity, and replied ‘that my daddy was wealthier than hers.’  ‘Who is he, pray, sir?’ said she scornfully.  ‘Uncle Sam’s my daddy,’ said I, ‘and Jonathan’s my brother.’  She caved.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

“A Southern Coin Currency.”

The rebel leaders of the South are determined not only to cut loose from the old Union, but to wipe out every trace of former identification with it.  They even propose to do away with the Federal nomenclature of coin, and adopt designations peculiar to the Southern oligarchy.  For instance, cents, dimes, dollars and eagles are to be superseded by centimes, tropics, stars and sols!  They draw upon astronomy and geography for their names, as though they would move heaven and earth to accomplish their object!  We would propose that they re-christen the names of their States, as their present designations are so well calculated to remind them of their former connection with the Union. – As the proposition comes from one John M. Vernon, of New Orleans, it may be that he has concluded to drop his system of coin nomenclature since that emporium has again been placed under Federal rule.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, September 6, 1862

We were relieved this morning by Companies B and G and arrived in camp at 11 o’clock. All are glad to get back to tent for a good rest, after having been on duty for forty-eight hours.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 66

John A. McClernand's Headquarters Monument: near Woolf Field, Shiloh National Military Park

HEADQUARTERS, 1ST DIVISION,

ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE.

MAJ. GEN. JOHN A. MCCLERNAND, COMMANDING

Deaths among Iowa Soldiers

The following Iowa soldiers have died recently at the times and places mentioned:

John Luellan, Co. I, 2d, at St. John’s Hospital, Cincinnati, April 19, of wounds.

John Hall, Co. C, 13th, at same place, April 20.

A. J. Edwards, Co. C, 13th, at Fourth st. hospital, Cincinnati, April 20.

Patrick Looby, Co. K, 11th, at Keokuk, April 25.

Josiah Harris, Co. A, 13th, same place, April 26.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

Death of Judge McFarland

The Boonsboro Times announces the death of Judge McFarland, and old pioneer in the West, and widely known among the earlier inhabitants of Iowa.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 2

Local Matters

IF YOU want wall papers of the newest patterns, go to Plummer’s, No. 50 Brady st.  *tf

FOR handsome and very cheap dress goods, go to Whisler’s.  *

GREAT EXPECTATIONS can be realized by calling at Plummer’s and buying some of these new styles of wall papers.  *tf

DECORATE your swellings with some of those recherché patterns of wall paper which can be seen only at Plummer’s, No. 50 Brady street.  *tf

MAIL FACILITIES. – A daily mail is about to be established from Davenport to Keokuk by river.  At present there is only a tri weekly communication between the two cities.

SOMETHING NEW in the way of wall paper is coming, and will be opened at Plummer’s, No. 50 Brady street, in two or three days.  Look out for the finest patterns ever seen in this part of the country.  *tf

R. KRAUSS, No. 36 West Second street, is prepared to sell hats, ready-made clothing, cloths, cassimeres and tailors’ trimmings at wholesale or retail, at as low prices as they can be bought west of New York.  *

BLACK SILKS. – The best bargains in the city at Wadsworth’s.  He has just received a job lot of embd. Swiss setts, the cheapest fine good ever offered in the city.  Ladies would do well to examine them.  *

LANDLORDS, paper your houses with the beautiful paper hangings which can be found only at Plummer’s.  Then rent day, instead of being met at the door with a broomstick, you will be greeted with pleasant smiles.  *tf

AMONG the many improvements in our city this spring, we would mention that which Mrs. Rhodes has made on the Third Street House, which has been thoroughly repaired, and its rooms papered and put in neat and tidy condition for those who wish to be made comfortable while sojourning in our city.

FOR PIKE’S PEAK. – The Rock Islanders have a visitation of the gold fever, and quite a number of them, we learn from the Register, have already stated, or about doing so for the gold mines; among them are three young ladies – Miss Agnes Drum and Misses Rosa and Irene Bell.

THE MUSICAL SOCIETY are busily at work preparing their forthcoming concert, and under Mr. Wallace’s untiring management, seem determined to leave no effort untried to give us one of the best concerts our people have ever enjoyed, if not the very best.  On Wednesday evening, the orchestral society assisted at the rehearsal.  It is in contemplation to give the concert some night next week.  Come when it will, a full house will undoubtedly be there.

STILL RISING. – The river is still rising; perhaps three or four inches were added to the volume yesterday.  Front street is in many places flooded, and the water is washing up on the sidewalks [of] that street above Rock Island.  The river road is covered from the end of Second street about up to the bridge.  The wind yesterday raised quite a sea, dashing against the banks and houses near.  The water was so high yesterday morning that it was found impracticable to start Borrows’ mill.  There is said to be more of a rise coming down.  If there is, it will be hard on Cairo and towns similarly situated.

AFFECTING! – One of our Hibernian friends who appreciates the reading of the Daily GAZETTE, accosted us on the street the other day and said, that he had been in the country for a week or two, and had seen but two or three papers in his absence, and those were sent him by his wife.  ‘Och!’ he exclaimed, ‘when I received them they brought tears to my eyes!’

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, May 2, 1862, p. 1