Iowa in the Civil War - Davenport Daily Gazette

Iowa in the Civil War

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Articles from the Davenport Daily Gazette
May 7 - 14, 1862

Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann

May 7, 1862
Part 1

Correspondence

We surrender our usual editorial space this morning to correspondents. The letter from the 11^th Iowa regiment is late in reaching us, but give 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 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 relation to Gen. Sturgis’ habits and views are fully sustained by divers articles in the St. Louis “Democrat”, the only really independent journal of that city.

The Iowa Boys at Pittsburg

Battle Field, Pittsburg Landing,
April 26, 1862

Editor Gazette:--If your correspondent of the 11^th has neglected to keep you posted up as to our doings, &c, pray excuse me, for I have had 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 5^th, in the open air, and were discussing, quietly enough, the meaning of the occasional volleys of musketry form 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 11^th is in line of battle, under Lt. Col. Hall. The other regiments of our brigade, the 13^th Iowa and the 8^th and 18^th Ill., are moved off half a mile to our left, while the 2d brigade of McClernand’s division (the 11^th, 45^th, 20^th and 48^th 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. 11^th and 45^th, 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 form the foe by the thousands, and now 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, had 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 16^th ins’t., and you will see that the victorious enemy rushing on from Sherman’s towards the river, would fall upon McClernand’s and upon us expecting an easy victory. Our regiment has been detached to act as a reserve for the reinforcement of any part of our division needing aid; but so overwhelming was the force 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 and 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. 11^th and 45^th, and those of your Iowa readers who noticed the gallant fighting done there and 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 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 11^th and 13^th in McClernand’s division, on the 6^th, nor were the 8^th, 12^th, and 14^th behind in valor, though more unfortunate. They were taken because of fighting too long and too obstinately. The 6^th 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 7^th, as ever, did their duty, and maintained their old 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 15^th and 16^th 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 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 by 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.

Continued…

May 7, 1862
Part 2

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 crossfire form 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 line. 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 14^th,) 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 in 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 the undaunted bravery and 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 11^th buried on Tuesday and since, as the result of this battle, 32 soldiers, and 160 wounded; the 13^th nearly as many more. No officers distinguished themselves more for cool courage than Lt. Col. Hall, commanding the 11^th and Col. Crocker, commanding the 13^th, while Col. Hare well maintained his ability to command a brigade until wounded and compelled to retire. Maj. Abercrombie of the 11^th 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, had a finger of the left hand shot away, and immediately took out a pocket knife, cut away the fragments of the wound, bound up the finger, and was in the fight all day and the 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 rode 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 tow 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 retied; 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 anyway. 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, massed and directed. Our numbers on Monday were about 50,000. Everything then was like clock work, and the rebels, who had the night before saved our camps and baggage so as to use them, were on Monday night bustled 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 ceased, (except the occasional shots of pursuers,) and naught remained but the peaceful, quiet dead the 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.

May 7, 1862
Part 3

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, as 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 no 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 a 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, an 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 were known, except the surrender, the President nominates Grant a Major General! Wittily, though, profanely, has it been said that 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 with 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 in 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 utter annihilation, and 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 will not permit a second surprise.

Yours truly, E.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Supplemental Report of Col. A. H. Hare
Muscatine, Iowa, May 3, 1862
To Major Brayman, A. A. General 1^st 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 13^th 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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is said that owning 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.

Thursday Morning
May 8, 1862
Page 1
Part 1

Local Matters

Mr. J. Newbern has removed back to his old stand, 54 Brady street, where he will be glad to see his old friends again.

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.

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

Vegetables.—Mr. P. B. Simmons has taken the store on Brady street, next the Hawkeye, where he will keep flour, and fruit, vegetables, &c, in their season. He will also deliver them free of charge in any part of the city.

*Soldiers Deaths at Keokuk.—The following named Iowa soldiers died at the hospitals in Keokuk last week: J. E. Ross, Co. G, 17^th regiment; Matthias Pearce, Co. F, 17^th; J. E. Presly, Co. G, 17^th; J. E. Neal, Co. A, 18^th, and S. M. Randolph, Co. K, 15^th regiment.

A Dead Horse.—Quite a crowd collected yesterday afternoon, at the corner of Third and Main street to witness a horse in the agonies of death from colic. He was a noble animal and valued at $150 by his owner, Mr. Grace, Sr. of this county, to whom he is a serious loss just at this time.

City Attorney.—At the meeting of the Council yesterday afternoon, D. L. Shorey, Esq. Was elected to the office of city Attorney. This is an excellent selection and we have no doubt friend Shorey will discharge the duties of this office in a perfectly satisfactory manner.

A Difficulty.—During the fire on Tuesday evening, some of the firemen belonging to Rescue Co., refused to work. The foreman reported the fact to the Mayor, who disbanded the company temporarily. Yesterday the foreman reported the names of the derelict to the Mayor. A notice of his subsequent action in the matter will be found elsewhere in to-day’s paper.

Hickory Grove Township.—Yesterday Col. J. H Ross brought in the following donations towards the Soldiers’ Monument, being less than one-half the amount subscribed by those he saw during a couple of days:--James H. Ross, $1.00; Abram Curtis, $1.00; Jas. Birch, Sr., 50c; D. W. Nutting, 50c; Leander Curtis, $1.00; Ira Birch, $1.00; Joseph Weymer, $1.00; L. D. White, 50c; Lewis Pickens, 50c; Oliver Wooster, 50c; Sam’l. Calderwood, 50c. Total $8.00.

Expulsion of Firemen.—At the meeting of the City Council, yesterday, May 7, the following action was had: At the recommendation of the Mayor, and on motion of Ald. Noe, the following persons were expelled from the Fire Department for refusing to work at the fire on Tuesday evening, viz: P. Kisler, H. Boonhoef, J. Brusler, S. Bartschir, and Peter S. Hoff and the action of the Council was ordered published in the daily papers.

Council Proceedings
Davenport, May 7, 1862

Council assembled. Present all but Ald. LeClaire.

The petition of Kohrs & Bielenberg and others for permission to work out their poll-taxes on the alley, in block S. Referred to committee on streets with power to act.

The petition of Catharine M. Veiths, for refunding of tax, of James McGuire to be allowed to work out his tax, and of Catharine Gorman for remission of tax, were referred.

The Mayor announced that at the fire on Tuesday evening some of the firemen of Rescue Engine Co., refusing to work, he had disbanded the company temporarily. The foreman had presented him the names of some firemen who had refused to work, and he recommended their expulsion.

The report of the City Sexton was presented. The whole number of interments for the past year was 148.

Ald. Renwick moved that James Grant, Bleik Peters, and Enos Tichenor be appointed a board of equalization, they to receive two dollars each per day for their services.

The Mayor announced that he had appointed Mr. Brown as policeman, subject to the approval of the Board, and had also appointed Adam Hamaker as special policeman at Bard’s lumber yard. Appointments approved.

Ald. Noe moved, that whoever claims a reward for killing a dog shall produce the tip of the nose of the animal sacrificed before getting his pay. Adopted.

Ripley Street.—Among the more substantial improvements in progress this season is the two-story and basement brick house, being put up by Mr. B. H. Lahrmann for his own residence, on Ripley street below Second. It is to be twenty-two feet by about forty deep. This building is on the corner of the alley. Between it and the German Theatre, on Second, Mr. Lahrmann has laid the foundation for a new building, which he will put up probably next season. This latter building will be of the same height as the theater, one roof covering both buildings. It will have no ground floor, the structure being supported on two large arches. It is Mr. Lahrmann’s intention to extend his hall the entire depth of the building on Ripley street to the dwelling house, 128 feet in all, by 40 feet in width, making it, when competed, much the largest hall in the city. Mr. Lahrmann Is one of our most enterprising citizens, and has done as much in the way of improvement as any person of his means in the city.

*Iowa Regiments Brigaded.--The 58^th Illinois, 8^th, 12, and 14^th Iowa regiments have been brigaded together and will act as one regiment until further order of Brig. Gen. Davies. Capt. Healy, of the 58^th Ills., is the acting Colonel; Capt. Fanton, of the 12^th Iowa, Lieut. Colonel; Capt. Kettle, 58^th Ills., Major; 1^st Lieut. S. E. Rankin, 8^th Iowa, Adjutant. The 58^th Ills. Is divided into three companies, I, C and H. The 12^th Iowa into one company, K. The 14^th Iowa into three companies E, G and B. This general order, it is said, has caused much excitement among Iowa troops.

*The Surgical Committee.—Mr. Russell, Corresponding Secretary of the Relief Association, has received a letter from Dr. Maxwell, dated at Savannah, May 2d, in which he says he has dept a complete register of all things done, and has his report up to the time Dr. Gamble entered the U. S. service, April 24^th; ready, and will forward it as the earliest moment. The Dr. says there are 1,000 sick and wounded at savannah, 5,000 at Pittsburg Landing, and 3,700 at Hamburg; of this number there are not less than 600 Iowans. The army is advancing two or three miles per day.

Remember ye owners of howling quadrupeds, that you have only till the 15^th—just a week to-day--to get your canines registered; after that, they will be liable to sudden death by the hands of constables, policemen, &c. Be careful you don’t give them a chance to make a quarter out of your faithful pointer’s carcass. A gentleman riding in the country the other day, says he counted sixty dollars worth of revenue under the dog law, in a distance of two miles. We hope to see this law rigidly enforced; it will both diminish the number of useless animals, and increase the school fund of the county.

Thursday Morning
May 8, 1862
Page 2
Part 2

Iowa Officer in Memphis

The Memphis Daily appeal gave a list of Federal officers captured at Shiloh, furnished by Gen. Prentiss. The list was not complete. The following Iowa officers were named:

Col. Geddes, and Lieut. Col. Ferguson of the 8^th, major Stone of the 3d, and the following Captains in the 8^th: W. B. Bell, Calvin Kelsey, John McCormic, F. A. Cleveland, Wm. Stubbs; also Capt. Galland of the 6^th, and Capt. Hedrick of the 15^th.

Also the following Lieutenants: H. Fink, 15^th, Dewey Welch, 8^th, H. B. Cooper, 8^th; D. J. O’Neil, 3d, John Wayne, do.; J. P. Knight, do; J. M. Thrift, 16^th.

Also the following officers of the 12^th: Adj. N. E. Duncan; Quartermaster J. B. Door; Sergt. Maj. G. H. Morrisey, Capts. S. R. Edington, W. C. Earle, W. W. Warner, J. H. Stibbs, W. H. Haddock, L. D. Townsley, E. M. Van Duzee; Lieuts. L. H. Merrill, J. H. Borger, H. Hale, J. Elwell, Robert Williams, J. W. Gift, W. A. Morse, J. F. Nickerson, L. W. Jackson, John J. Marks, J. J. Brown.

More Wounded from Pittsburg.

The steamer Tycoon arrived at Cincinnati last week from Savannah, Tenn., which place she left with 140 wounded and 60 sick, of which number four died on the passage. We find the following Iowa names among her list of passengers:

            Dan A. McCleary, Co. A, 3d Infantry; wounded in right arm.
            Jas. R. Smith, co. B, 6^th right leg.
            Henry Z. Howler, Co. E, 8^th, left arm.
            M. Shellsberger, Co. A, 11^th shot in right arm.
            John Ramsey, Co. B, 11^th, right arm.
            H. B. Moon, co. A, 12^th diarrhoea and typhoid fever.
            John Dolloson, 12^th typhoid fever.
            -- Heallisen, Co. I, 12^th, bilious fever.
            J. Darth, Co. G, 13^th shot in left arm.
            Wm. J. Jackson, Co. G, 13^th, left arm broken.
            Thos. B. Pearce, Co. B, 16^th, rheumatism.
            Aug. Schultz, Co. B, 16^th, gathering in the head.
            Peter Esmoil, co. C, 16^th, left hip.
            Joshua Carbin, Co. D, 16^th typhoid fever.
            Daniel Holcomb, Co. D, 16^th left elbow.
            Gabriel Miller, Co. D, 16^th kidneys affected.
            Henry Biscall, Co. I, 16^th, wounded in left arm and side.
            Ira Rhodes, 16^th, chronic diarrhoea.

Friday Morning
May 9, 1862
Alfred Sanders, Editor
Part 1

Local Matters.

Resigned.—Rev. P. H. Jacobs, and Rev. A. G. Eberhart, chaplains respectively of the 8^th and 12^th Iowa Infantry, have resigned their positions. Dr. C. C. Parker, surgeon of the 12^th, has also resigned.

*Runaway.—A horse belonging to Dr. Baker, and attached to his top buggy, came dashing down Brady street yesterday afternoon at a ferocious speed. He left all but the fore wheels of the buggy at about Fourth, and the rest near the post-office. Dr. Baker’s son attempted to stop the horse, but was thrown down, though not hurt.

The 16^th.—From a private letter received last evening direct from the battle ground, we are happy to learn that Lieut. Col. Add. H. Sanders of the 16^th regiment, has sufficiently recovered to be on dress parade. The boys of that regiment have become so skilled in the use of their muskets, that it is thought they will be able to make their mark in the coming battle.

A Joke!—Captain Charlie Foster, of LeClaire, will have his joke, notwithstanding he is surrounded by all the realities of war. Mr. Stanton, of the Washington Press, writing from Pittsburg battle ground, says:

“I sent down to Capt. Foster’s tent a few minutes ago for Dumas’, ‘Three Strong Men’ which he had borrowed from me to read on guard duty last night. Imagine my surprise when the orderly returned, bringing with him three of the biggest, strongest men in company E, who presented themselves at the door, and desired to know with what important duty they were to be entrusted! Upon mature reflection, I concluded that Capt. Foster was becoming slightly facetious.”

Breech-Loading Carbines.—Mr. Henry Berg, gunsmith of this city, has recently obtained a patent for a breech-loading carbine of his own invention. It may be loaded with either cartridges or loose ammunition, and is a self-cocker and self-primer. It has some other new features, and withal, Mr. Berg claims for it the merit of simplicity in construction, more so than any other carbine now in use. We believe this is the first fire-arm of any kind ever invented in this city, the inventive faculties of our artisans having been, prior to the war, devoted to the development of the arts of peace.

Deaths of Iowa Soldiers at St. Louis.

The following deaths of Iowa soldiers occurred at the hospitals in St. Louis last week, April 26. John Boardman, Co. A, 6^th regiment; 28^th, Z. M. Lanning, Co. B, 6^th, John Moulton, Co. K, 2d; John H. Grim, Corporal, Co. F, 5^th; May 1. James Calhoun, Co. G, 6^th; Austin Hall, Co. G, 12^th; Charles O. Collins, Co. I, 3d regiment.

Friday Morning
May 9, 1862

Army Correspondence

Hamburg, Tenn., Night, April 29, ‘62

Friend Sanders;--Once again I write from this pint, though I remain behind with stores, the regiment being five miles out on the Corinth road. Two day since while on picket guard, Corp. Miller, of Co. G, was taken prisoner. To-day the 3d battalion, while out on a scout, was suddenly opened on by a masked battery. Wm. Faxton was instantly killed by a grapeshot through the head, and three of Co. I wounded by grape. Corp. J. B. Smith; in leg, James Bontrigerin thigh, and Wm. Bremner in the shoulder. Bremner’s horse was killed in the first fire, and while retreating on foot he was struck. Co. R, of first battalion was advanced guard, and after a slight skirmish captured twenty prisoners. The 2d Cavalry are in front and will endeavor to prove worthy.

The river which had fallen some, has risen four feet in the past two days. Most of our forces have advanced from the river, but more arrive daily. Last night rain again, and to-day has been cloudy without rain.

Perhaps many are asking why don’t Gen. Halleck advance and attack Beuaregard? Why don’t he move? &c. Let me describe faintly my ride out to camp, a few hours before dark, and return. Leaving the river I pass through a slough wehre the water runs into the wagon box, then up a bluff of thirty feet. In the distance of a mile and a half, I count two hundred and fifty six mule, and four horse teams, loaded with powder, shot, shell and ammunition of all kinds, camp equipage, stores, forage, &c. For this distance the road is level, with many mud hoes; here is one larger than others, with four teams stuck at once, and one of four mules so deeply imbedded that but for ears, one might think them lumps of mud, just beyond we pass a slough that in places swims the mules. Here is a jam, some teams are coming, others going, some wait for a chance, others don’t. There are on these sloughs no “mill dams” but at these particular points the other kind is unlimited.

A few days since, an order was received to muster out regimental adjutants and quartermasters and battalion quartermasters. Lieutenants and quartermasters Samuel Gilbert, J. M. Hannum, and George R. Ammond, formerly of Cos. A, K, and F, were ‘mustered out,’ and left for Iowa a few days since. Better men are not in the service. They ha won for themselves, not only the respect and confidence, but the love of the regiment. Could the unanimous loud voice of the regiment avail, they would be called to return, and fill honorable positions among a body of men that part with them with sincere regret.

I am writing this in a wagon, and the mules hitched to the tongue are playing smash with my periods. Besides, owing to the breeze and original shortness, my candle is nearly out. More next time.

Diff.

Saturday Morning
May 10, 1862

Local Matters

Dead Soldiers.—William T. Noell, Co. G, 17^th Iowa, and Isaac M. Williams, Co. F, 8^th Iowa died in Keokuk hospital on Tuesday last. Henry Kennedy, Co. I, 15^th Iowa died at home in that city, the day previous.

Promoted.—Sergt. Theodore Slonsker, of the 10^th regiment, has been appointed 2d lieutenant of Co. D, in that regiment. Mr. Slonsker was formerly a resident of this city, and was a member of Capt. Wentz’s company.

Mail Agent.—Our fellow citizen, Mr. S. P. Fidler, has been appointed by the P. O. Department. U. S. Mail Agent between Davenport and Keokuk. This is an excellent appointment and we have no doubt our old friend will fill it to the entire satisfactions of all concerned.

Camp McClellan Vacated.—Some seven or eight sick or recovering soldiers were brought down from the camp yesterday to take passage on the Northerner for St. Louis. They were left at the steamboat office at the landing to await the arrival of the boat. As she did not come for some time, the poor fellows made their way, as well as they could, to the hotels for dinner. One of them, when he arrived at the LeClaire House, was so sick that he had to go to bed. They all obtained their dinners, as we take pleasure in saying that the practice of the hotel proprietors here is not to turn away any soldier because he is short of money. During the rest of the day the soldiers made themselves as comfortable as possible. These men belong to the 4^th, 6^th, 18^th and 16^th regiments, for which they have just been recruited and are now ordered in report themselves for duty, although they look very unfit for duty as soldiers. They left only one man at Camp McClellan, who is beli9eved to be insane. His name is Love, form near Washington. He has since been removed to a private residence. Camp McClellan is therefore now entirely deserted for the first time since its establishment last August.

Tuesday Morning
May 13, 1862

Local Matters

A Sad Case.—The many friends of Rev. D. C. Worts, of Dixon will learn with regret that his oldest son Charlie, has, in consequence of a recent attack of fever, become blind of one eye, and entirely deaf. Mr. Worts has brought him to this city for medical treatment, in hopes of effecting a recovery.

Freaks of the Lightning.—During the storm yesterday afternoon the lightning struck the belfry at the Congregational church, which is detached from the building, passed down a rope and out at the bottom, striking and injuring a horse in an adjoining lot. A little boy passing at the time with a bag of bran on his shoulder, felt his legs refuse to perform their accustomed locomotion and suddenly sat down; gathering himself and bag up he ran away! The rope in the belfry was one attached to a machine invented by our young citizen Charles A. French, to be used in tolling the bell. The shaft with which it was connected was broke off, near the ground.

The brick house at the southeast corner of Rock Island and Second streets was struck during the shower; the lighting, which passed down the chimney, knocked down Mrs. McMann and another woman occupying the house, both of whom were badly injured.

A lad engaged in washing windows at Todd’s shoe store, startled by a vivid flash of lightning, ran his hand through the glass, cutting his wrist so badly that surgical aid had to be summoned.

Striking the telegraph wire between Ripley and Scott streets the fluid passed up, shivering the nearest post and running along this conductor to the telegraph office, which it entered, melting about eight feet of the wire and passing down to the ground. The operator says he distinctly saw three balls of fire and felt the shock.

Scared by the vivid lightning, the horse attached to Mr. French’s express wagon, which was hitched on Commercial street, broke loose and ran away. Coming in contact with a dray, both vehicles were upset, the thills of the wagon breaking and freeing the horse, which was caught without further damage.

A horse attached to a buggy, in which was Mr. LeClaire, was suddenly brought to his knees by a vivid flash of lightning, but quickly regaining his feet, started off on a run, but was checked without incident.

This list comprehends all the incidents that have come to our knowledge, as the result of the pranks of the few vivid flashes of lightning that attended the slight storm of yesterday afternoon.

*From the 2d Iowa Cavalry

We have been permitted to make the following extracts from a private letter received by Mrs. Truesdell from her husband, chaplain of the 2d Iowa Cavalry, dated At Camp on the Corinth road, May 4.

“Our regiment has just returned, having been several miles beyond our most advanced pickets to a point on the Columbus and Memphis railroad, some 15 miles southeast of Corinth, and burned two railroad bridges and captured some prisoners, mules, horses, wagons, &c. This will prevent the enemy from receiving reinforcements from that direction as well as prevent their escape from Corinth. I have no doubt the great battle of the season, if not of the whole war, will have been fought and won before you receive this.”

“Gen. Pope seems to think that our regiment performed a very brilliant exploit. It was certainly very hazardous. They passed two miles beyond the enemy’s pickets before them, and the prisoners taken say they never dreamed of our daring to attempt such a thing as the burning of these railroad bridges by one regiment of men within one mile of the place where they had five thousand encamped to guard it. But our men accomplished it without an accident. Yesterday some men sent out for the purpose, found the body of Paxton, the man killed the other day out of Company B. he was decently buried in his uniform, with his blanket around him.”

A Brave Iowa Woman Kills a Scoundrel.—Private letters received in this city give the particulars of an affair which recently happened at Cape Girardeau, in which a lady of this city bore an active part. Mrs. Kendrick, wife of Capt. Frank Kendrick, of the 2d cavalry, had been staying at a Hotel in that village for some time, when she was aroused one night by a man at her room door who desired admittance, which was of course refused, and on his persisting, she called for help. He then fled, but came the second time, when she again raised the alarm, and he ran off. The landlord of the hotel then gave Mrs. Kendrick a pistol, and advised her to use it in case the scoundrel came back again. He did so, and she then threatened to shoot him if he disturbed her again, when he left. Two or three nights after she was again awakened by his rapping at her room door, and opened it and asked him what he wanted, and if he remembered what she told him. He replied that he wanted to come in and see her, and guessed she wouldn’t hurt anybody with an empty pistol, and he then tried to push her back into the room, so as to enter and close the door. Raising her pistol, she fired, the ball entering the neck near the jugular vein, and he fell dead on the spot. He proved to be a prominent citizen of the town, a wealthy man, and a leading secessionist. When the news became known about town, a crowd of his fellow secessionists mobbed the house and threatened to hang Mrs. Kendrick, and it is not improbable they would have tried to carry out their designs if a guard had not been placed around the house by the commander of the Federal forces at the Cape.

Mrs. Kendrick promptly made known what she had done, and went before a magistrate, who after an examination gave her a certificate of honorable discharge; it is also said that the wife of the deceased, who leaves a large family, expressed her approval, under the circumstances, of what Mr. Kendrick had done. The citizens also presented her with a pair of elegant pistols as a mark of favor. Mrs. Kendrick shortly after rejoined her husband in the army on the upper Tennessee.

In this act, melancholy as is the fact that any man should thus bring down upon himself such punishment, Mrs. Kendrick exhibited a determined heroism, combined with true womanly dignity, that does her much honor. Her act will be applauded wherever it is known; and were there a few more examples of the kind, there would be far less libertines in the world.

Wednesday Morning
May 14, 1862

Local Matters

Wanted.—A journeyman tinner, at Geo. W. Smiley’s stove store. None but a good workman need apply.

Plowing Match.—The plowing-match of the Winfield Township Agricultural Society comes off to-day on the farm of Mr. Irving Quinn, Long Grove.

Masonic.—At a meeting of Davenport Lodge No. 37 A. F. and A. M., held last Monday evening, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: O. H. Watson, W. M.; W. F. Kidder, S. W.; F. H. Griggs, J. W.; Geo. H. French, Treas.; Fred. Koops, Sec’y; J. W. Jamison, s. D.; J. M. Dunn, J. D.

A Nuisance.—A number of defunct cavalry horses were buried a few days ago near the Fair Ground under the direction of the military authorities. The work was not properly done, however, the bodies not being fully covered. The effluvia in the neighborhood is consequently very rank, and calls for remedial action.

Wounded Soldiers.—One hundred and twenty-seven wounded soldiers arrived at Quincy, Illinois, one day last week, of whom two were from this city, viz; H. Hinkhouse, Co. I, 11^th regiment, and J. Nolan, Co. A., 16^th regiment. The former was shot in the thigh and the latter in the ankle; both doing well.

Indians.—A couple of Indians, of the Musquakwa tribe, have recently arrived in town from the West. One of them is sadly crippled, having had both feet frozen off; he walks on his knees. Such an object commends itself to the charity of spectators, and many a hand, as he passes by, dives into the pocket-book in search of something to help the poor fellow along.

Editor of Gazette.—At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Scott County Soldiers’ Relief Association, held on the 7^th inst., it was resolved that in order to obtain such information of the condition of our sick and wounded soldiers in Tennessee as would enable the Association to labor understandingly in their behalf, and that a faithful disposal of all supplies donated might be secured, a competent person should be appointed to proceed without delay to Savannah, Pittsburg, and vicinity, to visit the troops in the field and report from time to time to the Association the results of his investigations. Mssrs. J. W. Thompson, J. L. Davies, and G. S. C. Dow, were appointed a committee to nominate such a person and report their nomination to the Executive Committee. At a meeting held on the 19^th inst., this committee reported their inability to select an agent, no suitable person having expressed a willingness to go. By a unanimous vote I. M. Gifford was requested to act, and in compliance with urgent request consented. A committee of five appointed to confer with Gov. Kirkwood deputed Rev. A. J. Kynett to act for them, and through him a commission was secured for Mr. Gifford as agent of the State, with authority to visit sick and wounded in the filed, and render them assistance as may be needed. Acting under this commission and with the co-operation of the Association, Mr. G. left for Pittsburg Landing this morning, attended by Mr. L. J. Centre, engaged as nurse, and provided with medicines, wines, &c. for the sick. If he deem it necessary Mr. G. is empowered to charter a steamboat on the Tennessee for the conveyance of wounded soldiers home or to hospitals.

On behalf of Executive Committee,
John Collins, Vice Pres.
Edward Russell, Corres. Sec.

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An Ugly Customer.—An Irishman, whose family name seems to be lost in antiquity, but who is commonly called “Billy, the mule,” was arrested yesterday morning, and brought down to jail form his house on Perry street, above the Fair Grounds. This Billy, if all accounts are true, ought to have received the attention of the authorities some time ago. When under the influence of liquor, it appears he blockades the road by his house, and undertakes to prevent the public from using it. One day last week as a drayman was driving by, Billy ranged his own horse and dray across the street, so that the other could not pass. The latter got down, and taking Billy’s horse by the head, backed him out of the road. Billy then seized a shovel, and struck at the other drayman, who used his whip in return. Monday evening a young colored man, in the employ of Mr. Preston, went that way looking for cows, when Billy made him turn his horse’s head, and go around through a mud hoe. Returning subsequently with the cattle, he had to come by Billy’s a second time, when a fight ensued between that worthy and the sable gentleman, in which the latter dealt his opponent some pretty hard blows with the butt end of the whip. The neighbors finally separated them. Complaint was made yesterday morning against Billy, and a warrant issued for his apprehension. He was accordingly arrested, though not without resistance by himself and wife, and was brought to jail on a dray. Billy seems to be a mortal enemy to “niggers,” and has notified some of the residents on the bluff, who have colored men in their employ, that they must keep them out of his reach. From what we can learn of him, he seems to be a perfect terror to the neighbors around when intoxicated. A little wholesome punishment will do him no harm.

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Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., May 7.

Mr. E. Russell, Cor. Secretary Scott Co. Relief Association.

Esteemed Sir: I have arrived from Hamburg general hospital. I consented to be assigned, for the present to the 8^th ward of that institution, after having assisted Dr. Varian, post surgeon, to establish it. I have 160 of the sick of the 2d cavalry, 5^th, 10^th, 3d, and 17^th infantry of Iowa volunteers under my care. They are doing quite as well as we could hope for under the circumstances—have lost none, have nurses plenty, but nee good cooks. This is the mistake. Good cooks are what is most needed in our hospitals. Fruits, potatoes, onions, barley, whisky and lots of peppers are needed too. Mrs. Harlan and Mrs. Burnell are here somewhere. I believe Dr. G. is still in the 3d Iowa. The army is advancing to-day three miles—they must fight or run, I think, this week; are skirmishing now. The cannon are booming—it’s exciting music, but brings no terror. The army is in excellent spirits, although much sickness is in it. See that the good people of Davenport do not turn out promiscuously as a crowd to help here in case of a battle, but send a few working men. I shall do all I can to keep posted as tot eh wants of our troops, and relieve them as far as that can be done with my means.

Yours,
A. S. Maxwell