SHERMAN’S SKIRMISHES ON A RAID - 1865

SHERMAN, WERNER

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 7/5/2016 at 22:22:59

The Democratic Herald – Aug. 6, 1865

SHERMAN’S SKIRMISHES ON A RAID – The steamer Davenport, with the 10th Minnesota infantry aboard, arrived yesterday, and laid at the levee three hours to repair their machinery. The boys in blue came ashore [this section is missing with the exception of a few words] - -thinking they went - -discreet – immediately - others a view to catch a penny, - business, and came near being cleaned out of what they had. The troops entered the saloons and stores in crowds, and while one of the party was buying five cents worth, another was stealing a dollar’s worth. Cabbage, bread, bologna, hams, all vanished by the wholesale, to say nothing of numerous drinks not paid for. All resistance was useless, and after getting the raiders out, the places were closed and the levee had the appearance of Sunday. They then branched out in another direction, and came up town, and made no great haul until they reached J. Werner’s Shoe store on Main Street. Here two or three of them entered with the intention of purchasing, as the proprietor thought, and after getting the counter spread over with different sizes of boots and shoes, the crowd then lay in ambush came up and filled the store. They hauled over the goods, priced them, but bought none, when the proprietor, going to the door, found two pairs of boots gone. He raised an alarm, when the crowd departed, and looking about found two pairs of shoes had also been stolen. In all valued at $25 or $30 dollars. He chased one fellow to the levee with a pair of boots in his hand, and was glad to escape with his life without getting them. The other goods were smuggled away, no arrest were made, and the regiment departed for St. Paul with the satisfaction of having made a successful raid on Dubuque. This regiment was in Sherman’s army in the capacity of skirmishes.