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Iowa in the Civil War |
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Iowa in the Civil War |
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Articles
from the Davenport Daily Gazette
May 1 - 6, 1862
Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann
Thursday
Morning
May 1, 1862
(Part 1)
Sad
Casualty
The wife, child and mother of Capt. Chas. A. Sherman, of Fort Dodge,
Iowa, were drowned on the 24th Inst., by the sinking of a skiff in
which they were crossing Boone river. Capt. Sherman is now in Eastern Virginia,
performing his duties as Commissary of Subsistence. The elder lady was the wife
of S. M. Sherman, Esq., Postmaster of Fort Dodge. Both ladies were remarkable
for their intelligence and amiability of character. The bodies were recovered
the same day. Thus at a single blow has the gallant Captain been deprived of
mother, wife and only child.
Mental
Agony.—Few persons can conceive of the mental torture endured by those who
have near and dear relatives in the army, on receipt of the news that the
regiments to which they belong have participated in the battle. We have seen the
tears come into the eyes of strong men and feeble women, as they have talked to
us of the terrible suspense in which they have been held; and we have received
letters from both men and women, entreating us to tell them, if we knew, the
fate of their loved ones. We have invariably done this, though sometimes we have
had to keep back a part of what we did know. We will give on letter, received
three days since, though not the most recent one we have had, as a sample,
suppressing names, etc.:
Mr. Sanders.—Dear Sir: I address you this, hoping in this way to gain
some information in regard to my husband. Since the terrible battle of Pittsburg
Landing I have heard nothing of him. I am almost wild with anxiety. I have seen
a great many lists of the killed and wounded, but none of the Iowa troops. This
suspense is dreadful. I would rather know the worst, let it be ever so bad. Now,
sir, for pity’s sake answer this. I felt that you would know, if it were
possible for any one to know. I live in a country place, and get but little
news. Please answer this as soon as possible, and you will have the grateful
thanks of an almost heart-broken wife.
Married
In Davenport on Tuesday, April 29, by Rev. W. Windsor, Mr. Wm. Thompson
and Miss Sarah F. Duncan.
Funeral
Notice
The funeral of John S. Christian, mortally wounded at the battle of
Pittsburg, will take place to-day at 2 o’clock from Christian Chapel, Brady st.
His friends and fellow citizens are invited to attend.
THE WAR
NEWS
Additional Details of the Capture of New Orleans
Interesting Southern News
Parson Brownlow’s Family arrived at Fort Monroe
Banks pushing towards Staunton
Great Preparations at Yorktown
From
Fort Pillow
Deserters from the rebel lines bring the gratifying intelligence that New
Orleans has surrendered to our forces, under command of Com. Porter, and that
the city is now in our possession.
On Thursday last the Federal fleet passed Fort Jackson, after a desperate
naval engagement, in which one vessel was sunk and several badly damaged. It is
supposed that the Federal loss was very heavy. The rebel loss was 60 killed and
184 wounded.
The engagement lasted a part of two days. The Federals took possession of
New Orleans without a struggle on Friday.
The rebel force had all evacuated, destroying such steamers as they had
no use for, and taking with them the greater part of military stores on deposit
in the city.
There is supposed to be a large amount of cotton stored in New Orleans,
which will fall into our possession, notwithstanding the efforts of the rebel
authorities to destroy the entire stock.
The Union citizens of New Orleans were jubilant over the result of their
long waiting.
The strength of Fort Pillow is stated by deserters, at 8,000 under
command of Gen. Villipigne, who has not been superceded as reported. They have
seven batteries mounting an aggregate of 26 guns.
From New
Orleans
A special dispatch to the Daily from Ft. Jackson yesterday, says the
enemy’s fire had much slackened. He has fired 39,000 lbs. Of powder, and over
1,000 tons of iron. This bombardment is unprecedented in the annals of warfare.
Our loss so far is five killed and ten wounded. The mortar vessels are out of
sight behind a point of woods. We sunk two of them yesterday, and disabled a
steamer.
Continued…
Thursday
Morning
May 1, 1862
(Part 2)
Southern
News
A flag of truce from Norfolk to-day brought down the wife and family of
parson Brownlow, and also the wife of Congressman Maynard. The party, consisting
of four ladies, two gents and six children, are all from Tennessee. They bring
the report hat all the Union families of Tennessee have been ordered by
proclamation to leave within 36 hours. 1,800 Union men left for Kentucky a week
ago Friday. Of a party of four hundred attempting to leave, one hundred had been
killed.
There can be no doubt of the capture of New Orleans. The Southern
newspapers speak of it in the most dismal strain, and demand that the mystery of
the surrender of the city shall be explained.
The Norfolk “Day Book,” in an editorial, says: “It is by far the
most serious reverse of the war. It suggests future privations to all classes of
society; but most to be lamented of all, it threatens our army supplies.” The
raising of meat and corn and wheat is disconsolately recommended by the editor.
The
Richmond “Dispatch”, of yesterday, says when the enemy’s fleet arrived
opposite the city and demanded its surrender, Gen. Lovell refused, and fell back
to Camp Moore, after destroying all the cotton and stores.
The iron-clad vessel, Mississippi was burnt to prevent falling into the
hands of the enemy. Nothing is said about the Louisiana, but it is supposed that
she was scuttled. It is rumored that she was sunk at the first fire.
The
Norfolk “Dispatch”, under the head of markets, mentioned the very small
supply of edibles exposed for sale, and says it becomes a question of great
moment, as to where and how the people are to be fed.
The death of Samuel B. Todd, brother of Mrs. Lincoln, is announced. He
died on the battle field, and from the effects of the wounds he received at
Shiloh, in the action of the 7th.
New
York, April 30
A letter from Washington, received by one of our merchants yesterday, states that the most positive information had been received from the vicinity of Memphis, that immense quantities of cotton throughout that section of country have been destroyed, and it is now beyond question that the long decided plan of the rebels is being put into active execution.
May 2, 1862
Alfred Sanders, Editor
Page 1
(Part 1)
The 16th Regiment
We are asked so frequently whether we have had anything of late from our brother, Add. H. Sanders, that the following extract from a brief letter received from his yesterday, dated Camp near Pittsburg, April 24th, may be of interest.
“Mr. Parker, our suttler, going direct to Davenport, I send my trunk by him, that you may store it away in a safe place. We are ‘stripping’ in a manner, for another flight. Our regiment (16th Iowa) is going on the advance line tomorrow, and in case of any strong attack by the enemy we should be compelled to fall back, and in that event lose our baggage. I have a satchel, in which to carry under clothing, &c, but will miss my trunk very much. Col. C. goes away to-day, to stay a month, or twenty days at the shortest, to settle up his Government business, leaving me in command of the regiment. I have had the diarrhoea for eight or ten days, and cannot get rid of it except temporarily. Yesterday afternoon I was sicker than I ever was in my life before. This morning am so weak I can hardly stand.”
The chronic diarrhoea is one of the worst enemies our soldiers in the South have to contend with, and will be more fatal to many of them than the bullets of the enemy. Addison should either resign his position or leave until his health is recruited. A few weeks of good nursing might save his life.
Returned.—Lieut. Benton, of Co. B, 8th regiment, arrived in town yesterday morning on the Jennie Whipple. Lieut. B. had been sick two weeks before the battle of Shiloh, and at that time was unable to leave his bed. During the first day’s fight, the enemy got so near to where he was confined, that some of his men insisted on removing him, notwithstanding his earnest remonstrance. They took him to the landing, but were not permitted to take him on a steamboat, as he was not wounded, and he was left on the landing, where he lay from Sunday till Tuesday morning, without anything to eat, and exposed to the storms at night during the battle. He was wet through, and in that condition was taken back to the hospital, suffering from typhoid fever. He was subsequently brought to St. Louis and taken to a hospital, whence Mrs. Dougherty, a benevolent lady of that city, had him removed to a private house, where he was kindly cared for. Lieut. Benton’s sister went to St. Louis and brought him to this city whence he started for his home in Blue Grass yesterday. We hope for his early restoration to health under the genial skies of Iowa.
A Wonderful Improvement.—It is stated that the following excellent arrangement is in vogue on the line of railroad from Chicago to Philadelphia. A boy goes around with a card through the cars, with numberless refreshments printed thereon, with the price attached to each, including tea and coffee, and you check such as you want, which are speedily brought to you on a salver from the commissary car.
We like and hope the improvement will come West. Then a man who is so unfortunate as to be compelled to travel for a living or for pleasure needn’t swallow his victuals whole to get 50 cents wroth or more in the nominal twenty minutes allowed him for “grub.” Send that improvement West. It will be good for dyspeptics, if nobody else.
Continued…
May 2, 1862
Alfred Sanders, Editor
Page 1
(Part 2)
Western Troops
An intelligent New York gentleman in a social letter to us says, “I think that McClellan will have some hot work at Yorktown. I hope that I am mistaken, but I cannot resist the fear that McClellan is not the man for the gigantic task he has before him. I wish that he had some of your Western troops with him. I think the fact is beyond dispute that the Western soldiers are the best fighters and the Western officers the ablest in the Union.
A Hospital.—Our Muscatine cotemporary is riled because our citizens are making an effort to secure a hospital here. Not having the public spirit to claim anything of the kind for their village, they feel indignant that anybody else should move in the matter. We are sorry they feel so bad, and hope as Muscatine has sent so many boys to the war her citizens may at least establish a private infirmary.
The War News
Report on the Rebel Atrocities at Manassas.
From Washington
April 30
The joint committee on the conduct of the war made a lengthy report regarding the treatment by the rebels at Manassas of the remains of officers and soldiers killed there. They say the facts disclosed are of a painful, repulsive and shocking character; that the rebels have crowned this rebellion by the perpetration of deeds scarcely known even to savage warfare. Investigations have established this beyond controversy. The witnesses called before us are men of undoubted veracity and character. Some of them occupy high positions in the army and some of them high positions in civil life: differing in political sentiments, their evidence proves a remarkable concurrence of opinion and judgment. Our own people and foreign nations must, with one accord, consign to lasting odium the authors of crimes which, in all their details, exceed the worst excesses of the Sepoys in India. The outrages on the dead will revive the recollections of the cruelties to which savage tribes subject their prisoners. They were buried, in many cases, naked, with their faces downward; they were left to decay in the open air, their bones being carried off as trophies—sometimes, as the testimony proves, to be used as personal adornments; and one witness deliberately avows that the head of one of our most gallant officers was cut off by a secessionist to be used as a drinking cup on the occasion of his marriage.
Late News
By the Mails
A Malignant Disease
Grinnell, Iowa, April 30
Ed. Gazette.—Dear Sir: As you will have rumors various as to recent and sudden deaths in this village, I wish, in a few words, to give you the facts. There have been five deaths in this village within four days. The first person, Mrs. N. Whitney, a most estimable lady, was sick three days and delirious from the first.
The other four were not sick a day—three died to-day. Dr. Pulsifer, a resident dentist, assisted in a post-mortem examination of Miss Sears, one of the deceased, and received a cut on his finger. His extreme illness was only a few hours. Miss Schoonover, and her son of six years, died the same hour.
The most marked features in the progress of the disease are loss of pulse and a spotted appearance of the skin for a few hours previous to death.
Drs. Holyoke and Harris of this place, and Drs. Sears, Patten and Conley, are in attendance and give no opinion as to the disease, but it is presumed that it is a malignant typhoid.
The worst, we think, is over: such is our hope. Those with similar symptoms to the deceased, are improving.
There is naturally excitement in this usually healthy and quiet village, and I have given you all the facts, which I have no doubt are highly colored for the public mind ere this.
We are in deep mourning, but leave the events with the Almighty.
Yours,
J. B. Grinnell
Continued…
May 2, 1862
Alfred Sanders, Editor
Page 1
(Part 3)
We make the following extract from a letter to the Washington Press, written by its editor, then at Pittsburg:
Pittsburg, Tenn. April 20, 1862
Gen. McKean, of Iowa, arrived here from Missouri on the 12th, and was immediately assigned a division in the advance. He found his troops in a very disorganized condition, and almost entirely destitute of field officers. The 18th Wisconsin and 25th Missouri had only two captains in each regiment—all the rest having been killed, wounded or taken prisoner. The 15th and 16th Iowa were the only troops from our State in the division, and they, with all the rest, suffered severely in the battle. Gen. McKean immediately set about reorganizing and strengthening his command—his first effort being to get the 11th and 13th Iowa transferred from McClernand’s to his division, and, with the 15th and 16th, constitute a brigade of troops which could be depended upon in all emergencies. This has finally been effected, or is about to be, and the brigade will be commanded by Col. Crocker, of the 13th, one of Iowa’s best officers. Gen. McKean’s division will now consist of the four Iowa regiments first named; the 16th, 17th and 18th Wisconsin; the 15th Michigan, and the 21st, 53d, and 25th Missouri. This division will be the advance of Gen. Grant’s command, and when the troops move, will advance by the left, throwing the third brigade, Col. Crocker, in the front.
Gen. McKean is a very fine appearing, courteous and affable officer, rather below the medium stature, but compactly and solidly built, his hair and thick growth of whiskers well sprinkled with silver gray. It is not difficult to perceive that he has been a regular army officer, from the decision and precision with which he manages the details and movements of the troops under his command; and the confidence reposed in him by Gen. Halleck may be inferred by his being placed in command of the division of a Major General in the advance.
The incessant rains that have fallen here for several days have interfered somewhat with the movement of the troops, but the cheerfulness of our men is unflagging. They feel that Buell and Halleck here, competent men are in command, and that there will be no more surprises.
The telegraph connects the camps of our various divisions in front with General Halleck’s headquarters, and every movement is controlled and directed by him.
Notice.
Payroll of Co. B, 8th Infantry, (Capt. Cleveland) is now in my office. Parties who hold orders for pay, due on said roll, will please call and receive the same.
H. Price, Paymaster General of Iowa
1,000 New Lace Collars
At one-half the usual prices, at Whistler’s.
The Peerless
Spring Steel Hoop Skirt
The very latest and best patent now in use, just received.
5,000 for sale at New York prices at Whistler’s.
Special Notice
Furniture at Wholesale & Retail
Gould
On Second st., corner of Perry
Is now armed and equipped with a large
Factory for the maufacture of all kinds of Furniture. Hereafter he will sell
Furniture of his own make that for taste, workmanship and durability cannot be
excelled.
Factory on river road just above
Renwick’s saw mill.
All kinds of Turning and Sawing done
with neatness and dispatch.
Bear in mind, also, that in connection
with Furniture, Gould has constantly on hand an immense stock of
Carpets and Oil Cloths!
Hair, Spring, Moss and Husk Mattresses!
H. Y. Slaymaker,
Land Agent and Notary Public
Office at
Palmer’s Vinegar Deport
No. 37 East Second Street.
Has For Sale—1,000 acres of Prairie in Iowa at
$1.00 per acre.
1,000 acres in Scott county.
A Farm near Hickory Grove. Also,
These farms will be sold low and on easy payment.
Continued…
May
2, 1862
Page 2
(Part 3)
Hamburg,
Hardin Co., Tenn., April 25.
Friend Sanders: 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 percent of the
amount went to Iowa, and probably not less than six or seven thousand more was
sent by private hands and by mail; besides many of our officers, being in Cairo
at about 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 obligations, 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 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 all expressed in
figures. The good feeling and sympathy that prompted it, and of which the act is
the evidence, is worth more to me than treasury notes. I only hope I may always
deserve their confidence and they always enjoy the 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,
I remain your, &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 2d cavalry, with 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 every thing 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 buildings 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 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 an 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.
Continued…
May
2, 1862
Page 2
(Part 4)
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 form 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 form 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 of 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 hordes, and crown with
victory the decisive battle of the Mississippi valley. Within ten days you may
chronicle the glorious result.
For 2d cavalry, address to Gen. Pope’s division, Tennessee river.
Hoping to give you details of the battle after the victory, I am yours, Diff.
Lieut.
Noel B. Howard, of Clinton county, has been appointed Captain of co. I, 2d
regiment, in place of Capt. Cox, resigned.
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 she has become the mother of a new race of heroes. Her
soldiers boast little, and she has no industrious penny-a-liner to boast for
them. 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. Were 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 an Iowa
regiment, to lead it. It was so atwilson’s Creek; it was so at Belmont; it was
so 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 my
be proud of Iowa.~~~St. Louis News.
Iowa
Items
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.
Lieut. Noel B. Howard, of Clinton county, has been appointed Captain of Co. I, 2d regiment, in place of Capt. Cox, resigned.
Saturday
Morning
May 3, 1862
Page 1
Local
Matters
Co. B, 2d Regiment.—Sergeant O. C. Lewis is acting Second Lieutenant of
the above company at present. Either he or Sergt. Suiter will probably be
appointed to the vacant office.
Small Pox, a private letter says, has broken out in the camp of our
Second Infantry at Pittsburg. It is to be hoped it well soon be checked; our men
have already suffered enough without having this loathsome disease also to
contend with.
Returned.—Mr. Fracker, of Iowa City, Quartermaster of the 16th
regiment, arrived in town yesterday. Mr. Fracker has been quite ill since he
left here, and is much emaciated in appearance, though considerably improved
since he commenced his journey homeward. He leaves for Iowa City to-day.
Second
Regiment Flag.—Sergt. Doolittle was in our office yesterday afternoon, having
with him the tattered flag of the Second, which he so gallantly carried at Ft.
Donelson. It has eighteen bullet-holes in it. It will be exhibited for public
examination at R. E. Sickels’ hardware store for a few days. Sergt. Doolittle
desires us to publicly acknowledge in his behalf, his obligations to Governor
Kirkwood for the kindness with which he was treated while in Iowa City, and for
the promptness with which he acceded to Sergeant Doolittle’s request for the
use of the flag.
Some
Trophies.—Mr. H. H. Smith showed us yesterday a small specimen of a
cottonsnake, as it is called, confined in a bottle, which was sent to him by his
brother-in-law, Sergt. O. C. Lewis, of Co. B, 2d regiment. The reptile, when
grown, is said to be very venomous. Accompanying the ‘secesh varmint’ were a
ferocious looking knife, about eighteen inches long, and a screw from the
bomb-shell by which Capt. Littler was wounded. The knife belonged to a member of
a regiment who delighted in the amiable appellation of ‘Mississippi Tigers.’
It looks as if it might kill an ox at one blow, and would do great execution in
a hand-to-hand conflict.
Guerilla Warfare.—The steamer Metropolitan came up early yesterday
morning from St. Louis, on her way to Dubuque. The Metropolitan was one of the
transports which conveyed Gen. Pope’s army from New Madrid to Fort Wright, and
up the Mississippi again and the Tennessee to Pittsburg. The Metropolitan
carried the first regiment U. S. Infantry and Totten’s Battery. On the way up
the Tennessee, the boat immediately ahead of her, the Minnehaha, received a
volley from the shore, fortunately hurting no one. The boat landed, and in
company of cavalry went ashore, scoured the country, and brought in five of the
scoundrels. Coming down, the Memphis and Choctaw, which were just ahead of the
Metropolitan were also fired into by guerrillas, killing one man on each boat,
and a search was made for them, but ineffectually. The Metropolitan escaped
without any compliments of the kind, much to the gratification of the officers
and others on board.
Navigating the Tennessee, just now, is considered anything but a
wholesome pastime by river men. Sharp shooters are too plenty along its banks
for comfort, and they have too careless a way of hitting the boats and those on
board. The officers of the Metropolitan obtained a large amount of trophies, the
spoils of the enemy, mostly obtained at Island No. Ten. The clerk of the boat,
Mr. Woodhouse, will please accept our thanks for a small share of said spoils.
The Metropolitan is commanded by our worthy townsman, Capt. Green, an
experienced steamboatman.
Malignant
Disease.
Grinnell, May 1st, 1862
Mr. Sanders—Dear Sir:--Inasmuch as I sent to you a note yesterday in
reference to a malignant disease prevailing here, I can with peculiar pleasure
say, that there has been no death here since I wrote you. There have been a few
new cases, but of a milder form, which yield to treatment, and we do not
anticipate any more deaths. The excitement has mostly subsided in the
community—none are leaving.
There has been a case three miles out of the village—that of Mrs.
Cirsen—a fact which those may study who seek to flee from what the Almighty
chooses to send.
Yours,
J. B. Grinnell.
P. S. I
have just heard of four cases a few miles south, and one case six miles north.
All are taken with chills.
J. B. G.
Married
On the 1st inst., by Rev. J. D. Mason, Mr. C. C. Campbell and Miss Lizzie Hess, of Utica Ridge.
May 5, 1862
Page 1
Relief Association.—This evening, the members
of the Relief Association, and the public generally, will bear in mind, is the
monthly meeting of that Society. It is needless to say that there ought to be a
large attendance at the meeting. Even before to-night a savage battle may have
been fought at Corinth, and hundreds more of Iowa’s soldiers be stretched in
death on the field, or suffering with gaping and agonizing wounds. Let there be
a full attendance, and let the spirit of the meeting be such that our soldiers,
hearing of it, may realize that they have faithful friends here, ever solicitous
for their welfare, and may feel assured that strong hands and eager
hearts will render them abundant assistance, both when in health and when
prostrated by sickness, or by wounds received in battle.
News from Pittsburg.—The telegraph informs us
that the news from Pittsburg is of the highest importance, but its transmission
by telegraph is prohibited. A citizen received a letter from his son on
Saturday, dated Pittsburg the 29, which stated that hey were on the eve of a
battle, and had orders to pack up everything in readiness for the “long
roll.” Even if a battle had been fought or was being fought there, we see no
reason why the news should be contraband.
Child Lost.—a boy about five years old, son of
Mr. Henry Hansen, of Princeton, wandered away from home last Tuesday, and had
not been heard from at last accounts. Anyone knowing anything of the whereabouts
of the little fellow will do an act of kindness by letting his father known
where he may be found.
Deaths in Keokuk Hospital.—April 28. Geo.
Smith, Co. K, 17th Iowa regt. 29th H. B. Hyatt, co. H, 15th
Iowa; J. E. Ross, Co. G, 17th Iowa, 80th, O. P. Compton,
Co., C., 16th Iowa. For particulars friends will address V. T.
Perkins, undertaker of that city.
Mobile, May 1
A special dispatch to the Mobile Advertiser from
Corinth, 26th ult., says that Col. Scott, of the Louisiana Cavalry,
with two companies, had driven out a regiment of Federals from Tuscumbia,
killing several and taking 40 prisoners. The enemy burnt their stores and were
pursued by the Confederates. The result is unknown. The telegraph operator from
the Bay St. Louis has telegraphed the Mobile office that the stores at New
Orleans were being emptied of sugar and molasses, which were thrown into the
streets and river. The city was to have been formally surrendered on the 26th
ult. But the time was extended. Some of the enemy’s vessels have gone up
river.
Savannah, May 1
Gen. Lawton has formally communicated to the city council his
determination to surrender the city. The council have resolved to sustain Gen.
Lawton.
Dr. Foulkes, editor of the Memphis Avalanche has
been arrested for publishing an article calculated to array the planters against
the government.
From Yorktown
Before Yorktown, May 2, Prof. Lowe has brought up a huge balloon, called the ‘Intrepid.’ It was built to carry up from four to six persons and from its position in the edge of the woods towers up above the lofty pines. It lies at anchor, ready at all times to make an ascension. Gen. Barnard went up a few days ago, and remained at anchor over Yorktown nearly four hours. This is the fourth balloon we now have here between the York and James rivers.
Monday Morning
Alfred Sanders, Editor
May 5, 1862
Page 2
From the 11th Iowa Regiment
2 Miles West of Battleground
Pittsburg, Tenn., April 28, 1862
Editor Gazette:--On Friday last the Iowa 11th and 13th struck tents and marched out about 3 miles, to a new camping ground, to the front and in line of battle with the army here. Shortly afterwards the Iowa 15th and 16th arrived, and moved to our left. These four regiments constitute the third brigade of the 6th division of the army of the West: The division is under Gen. McKean, and this brigade is commanded by Col. Crocker of the 13th Iowa, and is the first and only brigade made up wholly of Iowa troops.
The Colonel commanding the brigade has the entire confidence of all who know him. Col. Crocker is a good officer; at the head of his troops and in the thickest of the fray on Sunday, he gallantly led the regiment, until Col. Hare’s injuries compelled him to leave the field, and the command of the brigade devolved on Col. Crocker, and no one who witnessed the heroic endurance with which his command still held the foe at bay, until night closed the scene, can fail to appreciate his skill and honor his heroism and that of his men.
Our new Iowa brigade will do no discredit to our gallant Sate. The best feeling prevails between the different regiments, and we all feel happy to be brigaded with a regiment that has so nobly vindicated the courage of our State, as the 13th, and under so noble a commander as Col. Crocker. I might give thrilling incidents of the conduct of both officers and men of the 13th, in the late engagement, as narrated to me, but prefer to leave this to others, who saw and partook of the action with them.
We all concluded on Monday that among the most beautiful and moving things in history or poetry, were “Buell’s Lines on Beauregard.”
On Saturday our regiment had scarcely settled down in our new quarters, and dried off the rain of the day before, from clothing and accoutrements, when we were visited, on a half hour notice, by Gen. Inspection, (who is at no time a very welcome visitor to the soldiers) by Gen. Halleck, Inspector General.
Gen. Pope’s army has arrived, bringing up the Iowa 2d Cavalry and the 5th and 10th regiments of Infantry. Your readers may think it a vastly pleasant time here to visit friends and enjoy this warm spring weather—birds singing overhead, and the pleasant breezes blowing through your evening tent, as you sit around the supper table, narrating thrilling incidents and “hair-breadth escapes.” In reality it is almost as difficult to visit one’s friend outside the division to which we belong, as though States intervened. Gen. Halleck has issued orders, forbidding company officers or men leaving their own division (except on duty) under any pretext, without leave from headquarters.
Mr. Editor, as one who had some little part in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, I am vexed to see those who took no part in Sunday’s fight saying we were whipped that day. I desire to deny the assertion. Borne back by numbers, but with unconquered will, 20,000 brave men of the mo**ing army fought through this day and lay on their arms at night, to renew the fight next morning, and with Lew. Wallace’s division we would have won the battle on Monday. No army is beaten while it can raise such a force and with such feelings as animated our brave men.
The sun shines once more warm and drying. Skirmishers are out ahead and little encounters of pickets and skirmishers are of daily occurrence. Look out for large events ere long. Our army has all confidence in Gen. Halleck. The health of our men is improving, and we are ready to act at any time.
We have already buried over 3,000 of the rebel dead, from the late battle, and we are still finding them, where their wounded were abandoned in their flight of Monday night. Our present camp is near where Gens. Johnston and Beauregard lay the night before the battle.
Yours truly,
Co. B., 11th Iowa.
Tuesday Morning
May 6, 1862
Alfred Sanders Publisher
Page 2
Local Matters
Keokuk Hospital.—W. Patton, Co. C., 11th
Iowa, and B. Bense, Co. K, 7th Iowa, died at the Keokuk hospital on
the 1st Inst.
Rev. J. S. Whittlesey.—It is with sorrow we
learn, form a member of Mr. Whittlesey’s family, that that gentleman, chaplain
of the 11th Iowa regiment, is now lying sick at his home in Durant,
Cedar county, of typhoid fever and pneumonia, worn out by the care of so many
wounded men. We hope his recovery may be speedy.
Landlords, paper your houses with some of the
beautiful paper hangings which can be found only at Plummer’s. Then on rent
day, instead of being met at the door with a broom-stick, you will be greeted
with pleasant smiles.
Blue Grass Township.—Samuel Benshoof has paid
to Ernst Claussen, Recording Secretary of the Scott County Soldiers Relief
Association, the following contributions to the funds of said association,
collected in the western part of Blue Grass township:
Jno. W. Moore
$1.00
T. W. Jeffrey 1.00
D. S. Sutton 1.00
F. W. Referstein 1.00
Fred Hofbauer 1.00
P. Hansen
.50
H. W. Dowell .50
Jacob Wohlenberg .50
Sam’l Benshoof
1.00
Wm. McGee
.50
John McCrea
.50
Henry Sutton 1.00
D. E. Russell .50
L. Lavander
.50
J. T. Skiles 1.00
V. Wyman
.50
W. U. Voss
.25
J. J. Heersch 1.00
Johnk (sic)
1.00
Rev. Douglas .59
Samuel Dallen
1.00
T. L. Lavander .10
A. J. Benshoof .10
J. H. Benshoof .25
P. L. Benshoof .20
Total
$15.95
Jail Statistics.—Mr. Ackerly, the jailor, has
kindly furnished us some statistics relative to the prisoner confined in the
county prison. The statistics embrace a period of nine months, during which time
130 persons were incarcerated in that institution. Of this number, there were 38
Americans, 69 Irish, 15 Germans, 2 English, 2 Scotch, 2 French and 2 Canadians.
Two of the number were negroes. Their religious preferences, what they had of
the article, were divided as follows: Catholics, 76, Lutherans, 14, Methodists,
12; Presbyterians, 10, Infidels, 9, Baptists 5; Episcopalians, 2; Millerite, 1;
Universalist, 1. Of the Irish, nearly all were put in for minor offenses; while
those sent to Fort Madison were mostly Americans and Germans.
Accident.—Mr. Christian Snyder, a German,
employed in the plow factory of Mr. Krum, met with a painful accident yesterday
at the factory. He was engaged at a circular saw, cutting some lumber, when a
piece of wood, about three feet long, and a couple inches square, was caught by
the saw and hurled towards him, striking him in the mouth, cutting his lips very
much, and causing the blood to flow profusely. He will be laid up for several
days.
Hitching Horses.—People who are in the habit of
allowing their horses to stand in the street unhitched will do well to remember
we have an ordinance in this city punishing such negligence by a fine of five
dollars. Farmers had better be on the look-out, or some police-man, on scent of
a fee, may haul some of them up before a magistrate and ease their pockets of
some surplus demand notes.
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