Renwick's Independent Battery Light Artillery

See Elgin Battery Light Artillery.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1045

Correspondence

We surrender our usual editorial space this morning to correspondents.  The letter from the 11th Iowa regiment is late in reaching us, but gives so graphic an account of the Battle at Pittsburg, and the active part taken in it by the Iowa troops, that in justice to them we publish it with pleasure.  Not a regiment of the eleven Iowa had on that field, but fought heroically, and to them, as much as to the troops of any other State, is to be attributed to the fact that the Federal forces were not entirely cut to pieces the first day of the engagement.

The letter from St. Louis is by a prominent lawyer of that city.  It will be found to be an outspoken document.  It reads as though our friend were somewhat prejudiced against Gen. Grant.  In the first flush of the unexpected and triumphant victory at Fort Donelson, praise was generally awarded to Grant, and it was while the feeling was on the country that the President nominated him as Major General.  His remarks in relations to Gen. Sturgis’ habits and views are fully sustained by divers[e] articles in the St. Louis Democrat, the only really independent journal of that city.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

The Iowa Boys At Pittsburg

BATTLE FIELD, PITTSBURG LANDING,

April 26th, 1862.

EDITOR GAZETTE: – If your correspondent of the 11th has neglected to keep you posted up as to our doings, &c., pray excuse me, for I have and a more pressing engagement, which I could not decline. – We, i. e., our mess and Chaplain, had just finished our breakfast on the morning of Sunday, April 6th, in the open air, and were discussing, quietly enough, the meaning of the occasional volleys of musketry from the southwest, which, as heretofore, might be from returning pickets; the men were preparing guns for Sunday inspection, and the Chaplain was just turning into our sleeping tent for a Bible, to pick a text for the day’s sermon, when lo! a squad of fugitives in uniform came running through our camp with the cry of “the enemy are cutting us to pieces!” followed hard by a mounted orderly dashing past to the tent of Col. Hare, who commanded, to-day, our brigade.  The long roll beats, and in fifteen minutes the Iowa 11th is in line of battle, under Lt. Col. Hall.  The other regiments of our brigade, the 13th Iowa, and the 8th and 18th Ill., are moved off half a mile to our left, while the 2d brigade of McClernand’s division (the 11th, 45th, 20th, and 48th Ill.) are between them and us, placing our regiment on the extreme right of McClernand’s division, and of the whole line of battle, from 8 A. M. until 2 P. M.

I am thus particular as to our position, in order to show where credit is due for some hard work claimed by the Ill. 11th and 45th, who were next to us.  We were hardly in line before the scattered fugitives had grown to a huge crowd, and soldiers were seen flying from the foe by thousands, and not a stray shot or shell from a cannon came whistling past – our Chaplain brought us a specimen picked up in lieu of his text – and in long and serried lines the compact masses of the foe moved in sight.  75,000 to 90,000 of the bravest and best drilled soldiers of the South, under Polk, Bragg and Hardee, guided by Beauregard and Johnston, and surprised our camp of five divisions, of less than 40,000 fighting men, and before 8 o’clock A. M. had utterly routed two of these divisions – Sherman’s and Prentiss’.

Look at the map of our battle field given in the Chicago Tribune of the 16th inst., and you will see that the victorious enemy rushing on from Sherman’s towards the river would fall upon McClernand’s and Hurlbut’s divisions next, and they came upon us expecting an easy victory. Our regiment had been detached to act as a reserve for the reinforcement of any part of our division needing aid; but so overwhelming was the force of the enemy, now over three to one, that within twenty minutes of our getting into line we were in the hottest of the fight.  Repeated efforts were made to turn our right flank, and as one brigade of the enemy became exhausted and discouraged, it was withdrawn and fresh forces brought up.

For five hours we maintained the unequal contest and every man fought as though he felt that the salvation of our army depended that day on our holding our position until reinforcements should arrive.  Twice after getting our first position were we compelled to fall back to prevent the enemy from outflanking us, and for the third time we charged upon the foe- although our ranks were reduced one third by dead, wounded and those helping off the wounded – rolling back the storm of war to our first position, and holding the enemy there until our ammunition was expended and we were ordered back by Gen. McC. for more, at one P. M.  We fought in the camp ground of the Ill. 11th and 45th, and those of your Iowa readers who noticed the gallant fighting done there ascribed to these regiments by Chicago reporters will justly be proud to know that Iowa was there.

The account given by the special correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, and copied into the St. Louis and Chicago papers and by far the most accurate I have seen, speaks thus:  “Once more its right swept around and drove the enemy a considerable distance,” &c.  Iowa was there, notwithstanding that no reporter, so far as I have seen has noticed our gallant State except in disparaging terms, as unjust as disparaging.  I venture to say that no troops ever did better fighting than did the Iowa 11th and 13th in McClernand’s division, on the 6th; nor were the 8th, 12th, and 14th behind in valor, though more unfortunate.  They were taken because of fighting too long and to obstinately.  The 6th Iowa was one of our advanced regiments, surprised in the morning.  She literally fought her way back to her friends, and first of all the outposts, was in line for another fight.  The Iowa 2d and 7th, as ever, did their duty, and maintained their reputation, though, not placed in so prominent a part of the field as some other regiments on the first day.  And here I desire to correct an error of the correspondent above alluded to.

The Iowa 15th and 16th were brought up just before noon, to support McClernand’s right, where we were fighting and forming on our own old parade ground, and were under fire nearly two hours before getting a chance to pitch in, and when led up to take their place their place marched boldly and gallantly up into the very jaws of death.  Our old soldiers say, that such a fire of musketry as we were opposed to was never experienced before them in battle; and the two raw regiments, unused to guns, having never practiced loading and firing, many having never seen a cartridge until they received them that morning, were thrown into confusion, and driven from the field; not, however, until a loss of 35 to 40 killed, and 250 wounded in the two regiments attested their courage and devotion.  Courage and devotion are of little use without discipline in such a fight.

Our regiment, as it fell back, obtained new supplies of ammunition and returned to the fight – eight companies to the left of our line, and two companies of rifles, B. and C, under Capt. Foster, were stationed with Birge’s sharpshooters again on the right, now a mile nearer the river, and across a small creek, to guard against the storming of a hill and log house which was admirably adapted to the work of sharpshooters.  We were here subjected to a heavy cross-fire from two batteries; but as often as a force of secesh showed themselves, they dropped back very suddenly again.  Our regiment did good work on the left, and lent gallant aid in beating back the foe in his last efforts to storm our lines.  On the next day our troops acted mostly as reserves, or as support to batteries, and were but little exposed, compared to the risks of the first day.

Iowa went into the fight with ten regiments and one part of a regiment (seven companies 14th,) in all some 5,500 effective fighting men.  250 of these sleep on the battle field; 1,200 are wounded, and some 1,400 are prisoners – prisoners because they fought on while regiments from other States gave way and suffered them, contesting every inch, to be surrounded by immense odds.  These are facts, and yet because we send soldiers and not reporters, must we get no credit; while no other State (although all did well) can show such a record – one half her soldiers given in a single fight.  Reporters on Grant’s staff make him the hero of the fight and he praises his staff.  Now this tickle-me-and-I’ll-tickle-you sort of talk will not do; it can’t make history.  They may all be good soldiers – in a horn – and write on some safe nook, descriptions of charges which were never made.  Why was this gallant army surprised?  The people who have given sons, citizens, husbands, to the country, ask why this needless slaughter, and these “errors of omission” are not atoned for by “errors of commission,” for we fought all day on Sunday without Generals.  Nothing but undaunted bravery of troops and the good conduct of company and regimental officers saved our army on that terrible day.  For while we had less than 25,000 men engaged on Sunday, more than half our total loss occurred on this day.

The 11th buried on Tuesday and since, as a result of this battle, 32 soldiers, and 160 wounded; the 13th nearly as many more.  No officers distinguished themselves more for cool courage than Lt. Col. Hall, commanding the 11th, and Col. Crocker, commanding the 13th, while Col. Hare well maintained his ability to command a brigade, until wounded and compelled to retire.  Maj. Abercrombie, of the 11th was wounded severely while ably seconding Col. Hall.

I have already spun out this too long, but I would fain add one or two incidents of a personal character.  As we were charging the third time on the enemy, Corporal Kersey, Co. B, hand a finger on the left hand shot away, and immediately took out a pocket knife and cut away the fragments of the wound, bound up the finger and was in the fight all day and next saying as he did it, “they can’t drive me out for one finger.”

As we rose over a short hill we could see the enemy advancing down another, just across a small branch, and some fifteen rods distant.  A well directed volley sent the most of them to the “about face.”  The standard-bearer, however, fell and Private Haworth, of Co. B, captured the flag, the first trophy of the day, while the Captain (Foster) picked up the rifle of a fallen rebel, just loaded, and blazed away at the retreating foe.  Capt. McFarland, of Co. G, did the same thing, and both have their Enfield rifles as trophies of a first shot each at the foe.

One spunky little Frenchman, Jo. Laplant, assistant wagoner to Co. B, would not stay with the team, and so mixed in the fight in the afternoon of Sunday, ventured too far, and was taken prisoner.  Deprived of his gun and placed under a guard of three men, to be taken back, he went very submissively along until two guards went back to help off a wounded officer.  Watching his chance, he knocked down the guard, and with the rebel’s gun hastened down to the river side, near the gunboats, where he lay all night and came in next morning.

I notice it very extensively discussed whether we were whipped on Sunday.  Never! And wouldn’t have been, even if Buell had not reached us.  The truth is the rebels surprised our camps and gained great advantages of us, until checked by McClernand and Hurlbut’s Divisions in the morning.  From that on until 4 P. M., our forces slowly retired; but at 4 the gunboats threw their weight into the doubtful scales, and the enemy, exhausted and spent, were entirely checked.  Lew Wallace, of our army, came in with his division that night, and the balance was then in our favor.  We should have gained the next day any way.  Of course the arrival of two divisions of Buell’s army, and especially of Buell himself, was most opportune; for our disjointed, confused and fragmentary army was organized, and massed and directed.  Our numbers on Monday were about 50,000.  Everything then was like clockwork, and the rebels who had the night before saved our camps and baggage so as to use them, were on Monday night busted out too hastily to destroy what they could not keep.  We beat them back on Monday over the ground they had gained the day before. – “Line upon line” Buell hurled his brave troops at them, and they retreated, fighting every step, until they reached the old battle ground of 8 o’clock Sunday morning, when they broke and fled.  The roar of cannon, the terrific whiz of musketry suddenly cease, (except the occasional shots of pursuers,) and naught remained by the peaceful quiet dead and groaning wounded.

In looking over the list of Iowa regiments I desire to pay a tribute of deserved praise to the 3d Iowa Infantry.  After the most heroic fighting on Sunday, in which they lost every field officer and all their captains, they were led the second day by Lieut. Crossly; and again won imperishable laurels by their heroic conduct.

Yours, &c.

L.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

Battle of Shiloh: Federal Positions Before the Confederate Attack

From a Sketch Prepared for the [Cincinnati] Gazette

Special Correspondent by Division Engineer Freeman.

REFERENCES.

Position of our Divisions and Brigades In camp on Sunday morning, before attack:

“1st.”	–	First Division, Major-General McClernand.
“2d.”	–	Second Division, Brigadier-General W. H. L. Wallace.
(Third Division, Major-General Wallace, at Crump’s Landing, 9 miles below.)
“4th.”	–	Fourth Division, Brigadier-General Hurlburt [sic].
“5th.”	–	Fifth Division, three Brigades (Buckland’s, Hildebrand’s and McDowell’s) Brigadier General Sherman – Log church known as “Shiloh,” at point Division Camp crosses the Corinth road; taken as headquarters rebel by Commander-in-Chief Sunday afternoon.
“6th.”	–	Sixth Division, Brigadier General Prentiss.
“7th.”	–	Stuart’s brigade of General Sherman’s Division, forming extreme left of our whole line.

– Abstracted from "Battle of Pittsburg," The Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, April 16, 1862, p. 2

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

We started early this morning and marching thirty miles arrived at Corinth just at dark. The soldiers are all very tired and worn, having marched about sixty-five miles over a heavy road in two days. We came into Corinth over the ground we had fought over in the battle of October 3d and 4th. This battlefield is a terrible sight and gives one a horrible picture of war. Our men having hurriedly gone in pursuit of the fleeing rebels, the burial of the dead was left to the convalescents, together with such negroes as could be found to do the job. Many of the dead bodies had become so decomposed that they could not be moved and were simply covered over with a little earth just where they lay.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 76

The three cabinet officers of the last . . .

. . . administration who, in its closing hours exhibited a zealous attachment to the country, are now all at the request of Mr. Lincoln, filling high and responsible stations.  Mr. Stanton is secretary of war; Mr. Holt is one of the commissioners appointed to examin war claims against the government; Mr. Dix is one of the major generals of the army. – R. I. Argus.

That shows the impartiality of the Administration, and that in this great crisis the President looks only to the good of his country.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

St. Louis Correspondence

ST. LOUIS, May 2, 1862.

ALFRED SANDERS, Esq. – Dear Sir:  Reading in the Weekly Gazette of yesterday your editorial on Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, I am induced to add a word.  I knew Gen. Grant in 1858, was a collector of house rents in this city.  He was then strictly temperate, but of inactive habits.  For coolness and perfect equanimity he is justly noted.  All West Pointers pride themselves on those qualities.  But one who estimates the General with impartial eyes will accord him the possession of even the qualities for “a third rate” commander.  Aside from habits of intemperance which have resumed their sway after an interregnum of some years, the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing have fully tested him.  And curious it is, and sad as curious, to note how the successful results of those fights, so far as successful, have been passed to his credit at Washington.

At Belmont, his utter neglect to protect his rear, and to station a few field pieces to prevent the enemy from crossing, led to a terrible reverse and slaughter of the best of troops, and the Iowa boys poured out their blood like water, in vain.

At Fort Henry Grant was to co-operate with Com. Foote, but failed to get his forces to the rear of the fort for four hours after the surrender.  The rebel infantry instead of being bagged, as they might, had abundant time to “skedaddle,” which they did effectually.

At Fort Donelson he was off the field during all the important part of that bloody Saturday.  His friends say he was conferring with Com. Foote; others say he was intoxicated, but his admirers are compelled to admit that he went to confer with Foote at two or three o’clock Saturday morning, a distance of four or five miles, and did not return to the field till late in the day, when the fortunes of the day had been turned by that advance which, the N. Y. Herald says, was ordered by Capt. Hillyer, of the staff – a mere civilian – on his own responsibility.  Gen. Grant’s ablest advocate says the roads were in such condition he could not return in time – four miles!

Yet, before the facts of the affair at Fort Donelson where known, except the surrender, the President nominates Grant a Major General!  Wittily, though, profanely, has it been said Providence ought to be made a Major General, for it had given us two victories for which Grant got the credit!

But the climax of incompetency – criminal incompetency – was yet wanting.  It was attained at Pittsburg Landing.  Against orders he placed his forces on the west side of the river, on the plea that no good position could be found on the other side, and against all rule he placed the rawest troops of his command in front, under command of Prentiss, a notoriously inefficient officer.  This, too, in the face of an active enemy, distant, at the farthest, only 18 miles.  Add to this that no pickets were kept out at any proper distance, and what more could Beauregard have asked for?

The attempt has been made to show that Prentiss, alone, had no pickets out, but this is disproved by the universal testimony that all the brigades were alike surprised.  None of them had any notice of the enemy’s advance.

I have the information from a rebel surgeon, who was in the advance of the rebel army, that on the Saturday evening before the attack of Sunday morning, he, from his position, saw within his glass the evening parade of one of our regiments, and heard the drums and usual noises of the camp.  He further says that the rebel advance was in readiness to begin the attack on Saturday, but did not, because the reserve were not in supporting distance.  This surgeon is known here by union men as a gentleman, and one who entered the rebel army merely for the purposes of professional advancement, and not for love of the cause.  He has no motive for falsehood, and is corroborated by his fellow prisoners.

Thus the army was surprised and the thousands slaughtered, for whom tears are flowing through half a continent.  It was in Halleck’s fitly chosen phrase, “the heroic endurance” of the troops on Sunday, which saved them from annihilation, that their fresh reinforcements of Monday, that rolled back, but did not rout, their enemies, already weary with slaughter.

Again, before the facts were known, Gen. Grant was officially commended by Mr. Secretary Stanton, who seems to have felt that as somebody had been hurt, somebody deserved praise, and so he caught upon the readiest name and praised it.

I am happy to say that no newspaper of this city has dared, editorially, so far as I know, to say one word in favor or exculpation of Gen. Grant on the field of Shiloh, beyond testimony to his personal bravery.  But enough of General Grant.  The country has had too much of him.  His advancement has been in the teeth of his unfitness, and demerits; his successes have been in spite of disgraceful blunders; let us hope that hereafter, Providence will give us greater victories with good generalship, than those which have been won without it.

General Halleck is in the field now, and his sleepless vigilance, instructed by the late battle, will not permit a second surprise.

The Lion of St. Louis just now is Colonel Jennison, sent here in close confinement by a drunken pro-slavery General of doubtful loyalty, and unachieved promotion.  I refer to Gen. Sturgis, who, after a winter spent at the bar of King’s saloon, alternating between treasonable talk to rebels, and swallowing brandy smashes, now has signalized himself by the attempted disgrace of the peerless foe of Border Ruffians, and bushwhacking secessionists.

Nothing has so stirred up St. Louis for a long time.  The rebels, open and concealed, rejoiced greatly to know that the noted Jayhawker was here in durance vile.  The Republican fairly shrieked for joy.  It counseled indictments, and I know not what treatment.  Here was a noted enemy powerless, and with true rebel cruelty to cowardice, the Republican began to trample on him.  The Union sentiment of the city stoutly demanded that Col. Jennison be allowed his parole, as well as the rebels who parade our streets.  It was soon granted.  The Republican at once softened its tone. – Soon came permission to Col. Jennison to report himself on his parole only by letter; the Republican is mute.  The morning, its last crumb of comfort is in the apologetic card of the cowardly Sturgis, who cowering under the storm of public indignation, now seeks to evade the responsibility of Jennison’s arrest, by showing that he had instigators to do a deed for which he has yet dared to state no reason, and prefer no charges.

Jennison takes matters coolly.  He is a wiry young man, with a keen eye, and a lip of iron; but of gentle manners, and such pleasant address that Gen. Sturgis wrote to the Provost Marshal General, to warn him of the “seductive manners” of his victim!

Jennison has spoken twice in the city.  Many Union men are prejudiced against him, and many fear to be identified with him on account of his fearless avowal that he is a “real fighting abolitionist.”  The Germans regard him highly.  Anti-slavery in their opinions before the rebellion, they are now abolitionists.  Jennison makes war after the fashion of their own hearts.  He says that “rebels have no rights which loyal men are bound to respect.”  No wonder the abused and vilified Germans admire him.

Right or wrong, Jennison has been shamefully treated.  If I mistake not, the country will see him righted.  It will not tolerate the conduct of Sturgis and Denver, and there is reason to suppose they will shortly be relieved of any responsibility for such warriors as Jennison and Montgomery.

Over the capture of New Orleans there is great rejoicing, for vast interests here depend on the resumption of commerce with that city, which must soon happen unless Farragut fails to follow up his success with energy, and does not send his gunboats to co-operate with Foote on Memphis.

The weather is excellent, and reports this morning from below indicate that Halleck is taking advantage of it, and will soon, if not now, be upon Corinth.

Yesterday regiment after regiment of infantry and cavalry moved through our streets, on their way to the transports in waiting to take them, as we suppose, to Pittsburg Landing.  Whence do so many come? is the current inquiry.

Business has revived to some extent, but still suffers.  It cannot prosper till the river is opened to New Orleans, to afford an outlet for our pork and grain.

Rents are rising, and real estate is also on the ascendant.

I hope to soon give you some items relative to the emancipation movement here, but lack time and space to-day.

Yours truly.

E.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

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

We were routed out this morning at 1 o’clock and started for Corinth, seventy miles distant. It soon began raining, and after marching six miles in the rain we met our provision train. We stacked our arms by the roadside, drew some rations and had a good square meal again. The hard-tack and coffee, with the bacon broiled on our ramrods in the fire, tasted mighty good — better than any pound cake eaten at home. While resting here and feasting, a number of the boys who had gone into the negro huts, caught up with us. They were in the cabins, nice and dry, and thought when we were routed out in the night, that it was to form in line, but in the morning found out their mistake and hastened to catch up with the command. A few of them were taken prisoners by the rebel cavalry following us. After our meal we continued our march till we reached the Tallahatchie river, and bivouacked in heavy timber on the banks of the river. We traveled thirty-five miles today, the weather being quite cool.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 75-6

Supplemental Report of Col. A. M. Hare

MUSCATINE, IOWA, May 3, 1862.

To Major Brayman, A. A. General 1st Division:

SIR:  Having been wounded in the hand on the first day of the battle of Pittsburg Landing, I was unable to write out my report myself, and entrusted that duty to other hands.  I gave full directions concerning the same, but by inadvertence, I suppose, the names of Lieut. Col. M. M. Price and Major John Shane, of the 13th Iowa, are not mentioned.  I take this occasion to call particular attention to these two gentlemen.  They both acted with the greatest coolness and intrepidity, and were both disabled on the first day of the battle. – Lieut. Col. Price by the falling of a limb of a tree, and Major Shane by a minie ball in the arm near the shoulder.

Respectfully,

A. M. HARE,

Col. Commanding Brigade.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

Both the Generals Sherman are . . .

. . . in Halleck’s army near Corinth; the one, W. T. Sherman (Kentucky,) now promoted to be Major General, and the other, Thomas W. Sherman (Port Royal,) who is still a brigadier.  Their being so near together will lead to much confusion in the battle accounts.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

It is said that . . .

. . . ing to the secesh reputation of Dubuque, it was thought impolitic and unsafe for the steamer bound up the river with a load of Confederate Prisoners, to make a landing at that place. – Gate City.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

E. B. Simmons, of Tipton . . .

. . . arrived by boat last night, having in charge his brother, Geo. W. Simmons, a member of Co. E, 11th Regiment, who was severely wounded in the leg at the battle of Pittsburg.  Another brother, Wilson Simmons, died on the 15th and Mound City. – Muscatine Jour. 2d.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 7, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, October 10, 1862

We have received no rations yet and have nothing but fresh meat and sweet potatoes to eat. Our brigade went out about four miles on a scout, to escort a battery to another part of the army. The weather is very hot and about 3 o'clock in the afternoon it commenced to rain, the roads soon becoming very muddy, for the dust was so deep. At dark we reached our old bivouac, where we had been the night before last, and stopped for the night. A cool wind followed the rain and some of us went into negro huts, built fires and dried our clothes.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 75

The War News

YORKTOWN EVACUATED.

The Works in Possession of the Federal Troops.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 2

From Cairo

CAIRO, May 4.

Intelligence from the army before Corinth has been received up to 6 o’clock Saturday night, at which time no engagement had yet taken place, but a battle was momentarily expected.

Gen. Halleck has removed his headquarters 12 miles toward the front.

Our advance was within two miles of the enemy’s outer works, and the entire column is still pressing forward.  Skirmishes with the advance of the rebels had been of daily occurrence – the latter making but a slight show of resistance, and then falling back.

On Thursday 400 Germans from a Louisiana regiment who had been sent out from the rebel camp on outpost duty, in two detachments, came into our lines in a body, with white flags on their guns, and gave themselves up as deserters.  From this fact arose numberless rumors to the effect that our divisions had been attacked by the enemy and that the latter had been repulsed with great loss, in killed and wounded, and over 1000 prisoners taken.

Gen. Mitchell was within five miles of Gen. Parker’s division.

Deserters report that Gen. Lovell’s advance was at Grenada, Miss., at the junction of the Central Mississippi and Memphis & New Orleans railroads, fortifying the place which is naturally a strong position.

Beauregard was being rapidly reinforced from all points of Gulf States – merchants and business men, in large numbers having closed their stores and flocked to his standard.

The steamer Lacrosse brought down the body of Gov. Harvey.  It was found forty miles below Savannah by an old negro and some children, who had taken it ashore and riffled his pockets of their contents, which were subsequently recovered.  The body had been interred, and is much decomposed.

Fifty-four prisoners arrived here, who have been taken on the outposts since the battle of Shiloh.  Most of them are Germans from New Orleans.

There is no news from the flotilla.  Com. Foote is awaiting certain movements of Gen. Halleck, when his plans will be consummated.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 2

From Pittsburg Landing

PITTSBURG, Tenn., May 3. – 9 P. M.

Six deserters arrived yesterday, and 10 to-day.  All confirm the capture of New Orleans.  A few days ago, one Tennessee, and one Mississippi regiment of 12 month men, stacjed their arms, their time having expired, and refused to serve any longer though required by the Conscript-law.  Beauregard put 2 regiments to guard them.

20 deserted yesterday and numbers are leaving daily.

All rumors of a battle here or in vicinity unfounded in fact.  Weather clear, roads will be [passable] in a day or two, so the army can advance.

Hospital boats and stores are arriving [daily].  Gen. Finnell of Ky. and a host of surgeons and nurses arrived to-day.

PITTSBURG LANDING, via Louisville,

May 3.

The following dispatch, dated near Farmington, has been received at headquarters:  A reconnoissance sent towards Farmington found the enemy 4,500 strong, with four pieces of artillery and some cavalry, occupying a strong position near the town.  Our forces advanced at once to the assault, and after a short skirmish carried the position in handsome style.  The enemy left their dead on the field; also tents and baggage.  The cavalry are pursuing them.  The whole affair was very handsome – our regiments charging the battery and their line of infantry at double quick.  The enemy fled in wild confusion.  A regiment of cavalry sent through to Boonville took possession of the town, tore up the railroad track, and destroyed two bridges.  We have a good many prisoners; can’t tell how many yet.  Our loss was two killed and twelve wounded,

Signed,

JOHN POPE,

Maj. Gen.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 2

From Yorktown

WASHINGTON, Sunday, May 4 – Noon.

The following report just received from Fort Monroe, says Yorktown was evacuated last night.  We now occupy the enemy’s works.  They left a large amount of camp equipage and guns which they could not destroy for fear of being seen.

HEAD QUARTERS’ ARMY POTOMAC,

May 3rd.

Hon. E. W. [sic] Stanton, Secretary of War, Washington:

We have ramparts, guns, ammunition, camp equipage, &c.  We hold entire control of the works, which our engineers report very strong.  I have thrown all my cavalry and horse artillery in pursuit, supported by infantry.  I move Franklin’s division and as much more as can be transported by water to West Point to-day.  No time shall be lost.  Gunboats have gone up York River.  Gloucester is in our possession.  I shall push the enemy to the wall.

(Signed,)

G. B. McLELLAN

We entered the enemy’s works at 5 this A. M., which their rear deserted 41 hours before.  Found everything in utter confusion.  About 50 pieces of heavy artillery were left spiked.  Found medical stores, ammunition, camp equipage, tents and private property.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, October 9, 1862

We have received no rations today and the boys have been pitching pretty freely into the cattle and hogs in this locality. The rebels are reported to be at Holly Springs, Mississippi. We moved on nearer Ripley and are three miles east of town. It is very warm and dusty; water is scarce along the way.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 75

From Washington

WASHINGTON, May 4.

The War Department has received advices from Gen. Halleck, which indicate that important events will take place in the neighborhood of Corinth in two or three days.

This is authority for stating that there is not a shadow of foundation for the rumor of French intervention for an armistice with the rebels.

WASHINGTON, May 4.

The U. S. steamer Mercidita, on the 27th ult., near Hole in Wall, captured steamer Bermuda, having 4,200 pounds powder, seven field carriages, a number of cannon, swords, pistols, shells, fuses, cartridges, saltpeter, saddles, tin, &c.  She was taken to Philadelphia for adjudication.

After the 1st of June all letters mailed in the U. S. for Nova Scotia will be required pre-payment of postage.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 2

Another Battle in New Mexico

KANSAS CITY, May 3.

The Santa Fe mail has arrived.  Another battle has taken place between Gen. Canby and the Texans, at Porolto [sic], on the Rio Grande, where the Texans had fortified themselves.  The enemy was defeated. – Our loss was 25 killed and wounded.  The enemy’s loss has not been ascertained.

Gen. Canby, with a portion of his command, had made a detour, and got below the enemy, while Major Paul is in the rear.  The whole of the enemy will probably be taken, as their only alternative is to surrender or flee to the mountains, where the Indians will assail them.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 2