Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, October 17, 1862

Everybody is now busy in the routine duties of camp life. The Government is having some deep wells drilled here in our camp; one of them is now completed and we are enjoying plenty of good water, although it is quite a job to draw it. We draw the water by means of a bucket attached to the end of a rope which runs upon a pulley fastened upon a tall pine tree standing near the well. The bucket is about four feet long and has a valve in the bottom. There are always some of the men at the well waiting for their turn to draw water.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 77

Southern News

BALTIMORE, May 7.

The regular news letter from Old Point is received.  The mail boat Nellie baker arrived just before the Old Point steamer left, and reported that Gen. McClellan was in Williamsburg, having driven the enemy from his position there.  A few captured cannon have been recaptured, and a whole division had been thrown in the rear of Williamsburg.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, May 7.

SENATE. – Mr. McDougal from the naval committee, reported a bill for the relief of Capt. D. G. Farragut.  The bill authorizes the payment of advances made by him while in California.  It passed.

A committee from the House appeared and impeached Judge Humphreys of Tenn.

The president said the Senate would take proper order in the premises.

HOUSE. –Mr. Elliott from the committee on commerce, reported a bill establishing a port of entry and delivery in the collection district of Beaufort S. C., at or near Hilton Head, to be called the Port of Port Royal, providing for the appointment of a collector at a salary of $1,500 per annum, and for weighers, guagers; &c.

Mr. Elliott remarked that a letter from the Secretary had been sent to the committee, stating the importance of this measure.  The bill was passed.

Mr. Crisfield caused to be read the resolution of the Maryland Legislature, appropriating $10,000 for the relief of the families of those Massachusetts 6th, who suffered by the 19th of April riot in Baltimore, and the response of the Massachusetts Legislature in acknowledgment of the generous sympathies and kind fraternal feelings they exhibited, which should always prevail among the States of the Union.

Mr. Crisfield said these proceedings afforded some sign of a restoration of peaceful relations, while we were receiving accounts of the glorious success of our arms.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

Dispatches from McClellan to Stanton

WILLIAMSBURG, May 6.

I have the pleasure to announce the occupation of this place as the result of a hard fought action yesterday.

Hancock’s brigade engagement had the effect to turn the left of the enemy’s line of works.  The enemy abandoned their entire line during the night, leaving all their sick and wounded in our hands.  His loss yesterday was very severe.  We have some 300 men wounded, and more than 1,000 wounded and prisoners.  Our victory is complete.  I have sent cavalry in pursuit.

The conduct of our men was excellent, with scarcely an exception.  The enemy’s works were extensive, and exceedingly strong.  Our loss in Hooker’s division is heavy, but very little in other parts of the field.  Hancock’s success was gained with a loss of not over 20 killed and wounded. – We have other battles to fight before we reach Richmond.

Gen. McClellan telegraphs from Johnston’s headquarters as follows:

The weather is good to-day, but there is great difficulty in getting up food, on account of the roads.  Very few wagons have yet come up.  Am I authorized to follow the examples of other Generals, and direct the names of battle to be placed on the colors of regiments?

Signed,

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major Gen’l. Comd’g.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, October 16, 1862

We have a beautiful camping ground; it is well situated on high ground which affords good drainage and in case of rain will dry off quickly. The weather is very warm and pleasant, with signs of autumn on every hand, and a northern autumn at that. We have warm days and cool nights, and the foliage of the forest is turning many different colors.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 76-7

From New York

NEW YORK, May 7.

The steamer Haze, from Newberne of the 3d has arrived.  Noting new had occurred at Newberne or Beaufort since last advices.

Among the passengers on the Persia are Mr. Cameron, Bayard Taylor and Bishop Lewis of Ontario.  She has $800,000 in specie.

Advices received from Burnside’s division state that a regiment of North Carolinians has been organized; Capt. Potter of Gen. Foster’s staff being appointed Colonel. – Two companies of our troops had left for Washington, N. C., to form a nucleus of the regiment.

Large numbers of Union men had voluntarily come and taken the oath of allegiance, and they will be armed an equipped by Burnside to defend their homes against the rebels.

Our troops have captured horses enough to mount two companies of cavalry, and make frequent dashes among the rebels.

Private advices state that Gen. Banks’ army was still at New Market, waiting for forage and provisions.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, May 7.

The Secretary of War, in response to a resolution of the House calling for regimental and Brigadier reports of the battle of Shiloh, shays that Gen. Grant’s is the only one received up to the 2nd inst.

The Speaker has appointed Representatives [Bingham] and Pendleton to present to the Senate the Humphrey’s impeachment question alluded to yesterday in the House proceedings.

The Fortress Monroe boat, which left at 8 o’clock this morning, has arrived at Cheeny Stone, bringing the following:

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., May 6.

To Hon. E. M. Stanton: – Every hour proves our victory more complete.  The enemy’s loss is great, especially in officers.  I have just heard of five more of their guns being captured.  Prisoners are constantly arriving.

(Signed)

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major General Commanding.

The enemy have evacuated Williamsburg and fled towards Richmond.  Our army is following them up vigorously.  The battle on Monday was very severe, and the loss of the rebels proves to have been large.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

From Fort Monroe

FORT MONROE, May 6.

The flag of truce which went up James river yesterday morning to receive released prisoners, returned to-day, not having accomplished its object.  This is the third time Gen. Wool has been deceived about the release of these prisoners.

The Jamestown and Yorktown passed down the river, past the flag of truce, at half past one this morning, bound for Norfolk.

The gunboat Teaser came alongside yesterday P. M., to ascertain the object of the flag of truce.  The Teaser is armed with a 100-pounder Parrott gun.  All the officers of the Teaser, with one exception were drunk.

A dispatch was received here this morning from Newport News, that the Merrimac was in sight.  The Monitor, &c., all got ready but the Merrimac has not yet been seen here.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, October 15, 1862

We are once more getting settled in camp. Our duties are not as laborious as they were at Bolivar and Iuka. We have begun the building of forts and rifle-pits, close in, all around Corinth, so that a small force can hold the place. We are pulling down some of the vacant houses to make room for fortifications. But the fortifications will not be on as grand a scale as those built here during the summer. They will be smaller, too, than the fortifications which protected us during the battle here.

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

From Cairo

CAIRO, May 7.

No intelligence from Pittsburg has been received within the last 24 hours.

Arrivals from Com. Foote’s flotilla report no change of movement below.

A number of our cavalry from Fort Herman were attacked by a force of rebel cavalry, while out on scouting duty and driven to Paducah.

Fugitives reported that several of their comrades had been taken prisoners.  But little credit is given to the report.  Two of them made their way to Columbus, and it is supposed that others have by this time returned to their camps.  All fortifications on the Mississippi have recently been strengthened under the supervision of Lieut. Col. Duff, of the 2nd Illinois Artillery, so that they could command the river from below as well as above.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

Strike among Miners

PHILADELPHIA, May 7.

The strike among the miners near Pottsville is becoming serious.  The employers not complying with the demands made, the miners stopped the pumps, causing serious damage to property from flooding of the mines.  Those of the Forest Improvement Co. are rapidly filling with water.

Several companies of home guards heave here this P. M. to prevent further damage.  The Reserve Greys of this city leave soon for the scene of difficulties at Pottsville.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, October 14, 1862

No news of importance. We washed our clothes today. We have to haul our water about two miles, and it is poor at that. The horses and mules are taken by the men to water.

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

Springfield Independent Battery Light Artillery ("Vaughan's")

Organized at Springfield, Ill., and mustered in August 21, 1862. Duty at Camp Butler, near Springfield, till November 1, 1862. Moved to Bolivar, Tenn., November 1-8, 1862. Attached to District of Jackson, Tenn., 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. Post of Bolivar, Tenn., District of Jackson, 16th Army Corps, to March, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps, to May, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps, to August, 1863. True's Brigade, Arkansas Expedition, to September, 1863. Artillery, 2nd Division, Army of Arkansas, to January, 1864. Artillery, 2nd Division, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to March, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 7th Army Corps, to April, 1864. Artillery, 3rd Division, 7th Army Corps, to May, 1864. Artillery, 1st Division, 7th Army Corps, to June, 1865.

SERVICE.  Garrison duty at Bolivar, Tenn., till June 18, 1863. Guard Memphis & Charleston R. R. 1 Section at Moscow, 1 Section at Colliersville and 1 Section at Germantown, Tenn., till August 23. Moved to Helena, Ark., August 24-September 2. Steele's Expedition to Little Rock September 2-10. Bayou Fourche and capture of Little Rock September 10. Duty at Little Rock till March, 1864. (1 Section at Lewisburg October 19, 1863, to March 15, 1864.) Steele's Camden Expedition March 23-May 3. Okolona April 2-3. Prairie D'Ann April 9-12. Near Princeton April 28. Jenkins' Ferry, Saline River, April 30. Duty at Little Rock till June, 1865, Ordered to Springfield, II1., June 25, and mustered out June 30, 1865.

Battery lost during service 1 Enlisted man killed and 22 Enlisted men by disease. Total 23.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1046

Stokes' Independent Battery Light Artillery

See Chicago Board of Trade Battery Light Artillery.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1046

Vaughan's Independent Battery Light Artillery

See Springfield Independent Battery Light Artillery.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1046

Soldiers Deaths At Keokuk

The following named Iowa soldiers died at the hospitals in Keokuk last week:

J. E. Ross, Co. G, 17th regiment; Matthias Pearce, Co. F, 17th; J. E. Pressley, Co. G, 17th;  J. E. Neal, Co. A, 18th, and S. M. Randolph, Co. K, 15th regiment

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

Returned

Harry Bowling, one of the wounded of the 16th Iowa, arrived in town on Tuesday morning.  He is recovering from his wounds.  He is a member of Co. D, Capt. Williams

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

Found

Some papers of use to James M. Hannum, Second Lieutenant Co. A, 2d Iowa Cavalry.  He can get them by calling at this office.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, October 13, 1862

Quite a large mail awaited us here. We cleaned up our camp grounds and pitched our tents in order. All are glad to be in camp again, as sleeping on the damp ground in bivouac, without any protection whatever, as we did the last week, is hard on the health.

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

Smith's Battery Chicago Light Artillery

Entered State service for three months April 17, 1861. Duty in District of Cairo, Ill., till July. Mustered out July 16, 1861. Became Battery "A," 1st Regiment Illinois Light Artillery.

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