Iowa in the Civil War - Davenport Daily Gazette

Iowa in the Civil War

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Articles from the Davenport Daily Gazette
May 15 - 21, 1862

Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann

Thursday Morning
May 15, 1862

Mortality of Iowa Soldiers

The following list comprises the names of Iowa Volunteers who have died in the vicinity of St. Louis at the dates named. —For further information apply to John A. Smithers, 113 Chestnut street, St. Louis.

April 30—Lewis Stab, Co. K, 16^th regt.
May 3—Wm. H. Johnson, Co. K, 17^th regt.
May 4—Theo. Campbell, Co. F, 11^th regt.
May 4—Chas. White, Co. K, 17^th regt.
May 6—Robt. A. Bennett, Co. D, 2d regt.
May 6—Ben J. Baker, Co. K, 14^th regt.
May 7—G. W. Hess, Co. F, 6^th regt.
May 7—Gottleib Weltlaff, Co. K, 16^th regt.
May 7—Wm. T. Clark, recruit for 4^th regt.
May 8—John Keppel, Co. A, 2d regt.
May 8—E. A. Ward, Co. H, 12^th regt.
May 9—Jos. B. Caraway, Co. B, 12^th regt.
May 9—Geo. B. Ferguson, Co. D, 5^th regt.
May 10—Thos. Sharpe, Co. I, 4^th regt.

~~~~~

16^th Iowa Infantry Correspondence
Camp near Pittsburg, Tenn.
May 4, 1862

Editor Gazette.—I have been intending to write to you for some time, but our frequent moving, sickness, &c., have prevented. Even now there is no certainty that a letter commenced will be finished at one writing or in the same camp, even if it take only an hour to write it. Our marching orders are sudden, and the brief interval is a busy time of preparation. At all times we have to be prepared for a battle, and generally with rations cooked ahead. The battle will be daily or hourly expected until it happens, unless we should get news of Beauregard’s retreat, something we do not expect.

A little over a week ago we were in camp thirteen miles from our present location. An order to move received after dinner, a dismally rainy afternoon, took us four miles away through mud and mire to supper. We left a beautiful camp, but located in one even more lovely, we occupy the left, the 15^th next, 13^th next, and the 11^th on the right, Col. Crocker, of the 13^th commanding the brigade—(these are the regular positions of the regiments of the brigade in camp.) Had a brigade inspection in this camp, by Inspector Gen. Judah, and our regiment was probably more complimented than any other.

On the 29^th our brigade was ordered to march with all the ammunition we could carry, and two day’s rations. We started in the afternoon, with the prospect of a fight ahead, Lieut. Col. Sanders in command of the 16^th, Col. Chambers being absent for some days, with the intention of staying perhaps a month, on business connected with his old government duties. We marched eight or nine miles and after dark halted in the woods, where we slept on the ground without covering, in the old style. In the morning we marched about a mile farther, halted, and soon about faced and marched back to our own camp. Gen. Wallace’s cavalry had attacked Purdy, and we were sent out to support him, and make a reconnaissance. But he took the place without our aid, and destroyed a long railroad bridge and other property used by the rebels—a serious disaster to our butternut breeched friends.

April 30^th, we had our regular inspection and muster for May. The “pay” has not yet turned up, however.

May 1^st, we again struck our tents, and made another move of four miles towards the advance, and in such a lovely place we felt an inward conviction it could not long be enjoyed by us Here we received notice that our Division (6^th) had a new commander, Gen. McKean being transferred, to the first division, and Gen. T. W. Sherman (Port Royal and “Shermans Battery” Sherman) commanding our division. He is reported a splendid officer.

May 3d, Yesterday we again moved our camp, taking a five mile step in advance. This time the 16^th landed with its tents in the middle of a wheat field, far different from the rare forest beauties of our other camps. The wheat is about a foot high and moderately thick. The planter is doubtless with the rebel army. At all events as there are tents scattered all over the immense field, the crop will be effectually blasted. This country is sparcely settled, and but little cultivated. It is a beautiful region, but soil generally poor, yet good enough to produce well under free culture. Whether our camp is in Tennessee of Mississippi, I don not know. It is certainly very near the line, and about seven miles from Corinth.

Yesterday afternoon there was a heavy artillery firing several miles off, and for an hour or two we expected to be called to march and mingle in the strife. The roar of guns finally died away, and the cause remains yet unexplained to us. At night we were ordered to provide four day’s rations, and may any hour be ordered to march, leaving our tents behind.

Continued…

Thursday Morning
May 15, 1862
Part 2

Continued…

Yesterday our regimental commander commenced “stripping” us for a fight or quicker marching. Each company left behind two or three of its five Sibley tents, one of the two officers’ tents, and all the “property” that could be spared, hospital and extra commissary stores, bed ticks, extra blankets and sick. Although we have not so large a sick list as a week ago (about one hundred off of duty now) yet the sick have been a great incumbrance, and their frequent removals over these very rough roads have been anything but beneficial. Every regiment has a train of convalescents straggling in its rear when changing camps, with the bed-confined to follow in ambulances and wagons. Yesterday our sick were sent to the river hospital, excepting those likely to be ready for duty in a few days. This will greatly relieve us, and be better for them. Several of our officers are sick, and this morning Capt. Smith, of Co. A, will be sent to the hospital, where he ought to have been days ago. He is the “noblest Roman of all,” did his whole duty in the battle, and has been the most eager for another fight. The prevailing sickness is diarrhoea, and it seems uncommonly difficult to control. Mere astringent medicines will not do it in most cases, but the cause has to be struck at. The 15^th has about two hundred on its sick list, and every regiment has a pretty large list. There are, however, but few deaths. Several have died in our regiment, and among them the old drummer, Mr. Russell, of Boone county. He was 78 years old, and was a drummer in the war of 1812. he had not been well since we left Camp McClellan, and here got the diarrhoea which in a few days carried him off.

A letter in the Lyons Mirror has created great indignation among our men and officers, from Clinton Co. especially. Speaking of the battle, the writer (suspected to be an officer most ridiculously bepuffed in the letter) says the 15^th did not leave the field till the 77^th Ohio and 16^th Iowa had retired. Now the fact is, the 16^th did not leave till that identical 15^th flag sent home to the State Historical Society with several holes in it, had gone from the field, and the most of the 15^th with it. This flag had been stuck up on a stump in the battle, and was a pretty mark to shoot at, and without endangering the color sergeant or guard. I was in another part of the field, but these are told me as facts by a number of reliable officers and men who witnessed what they state. Our color sergeant was killed while gallantly bearing his banner, and six of the eight color guard wounded. The 15^th did not occupy the position at all stated by this Lyons Mirror correspondent, who was either not in the battle or too badly scared to notice the position of things. Both regiments did well, and neither should, in doing justice to itself, do injustice to the other. Both have been outrageously slandered, without cause, and both are eager for another fight to properly annihilate these slanders by deeds instead of words.

Our old friend Wilkie, the war correspondent of the N. Y. Times, is in our camp nearly every day, and is actively at work getting items in this great field of military operations.~~J. B.

~~~~~

From the Second Iowa Cavalry

Camp Between Hamburg and Corinth
Wednesday, May 7^th, 1862

Editor Gazette: On Sunday morning, some twenty regiments of infantry, with bands playing and banners floating to the breeze, marched through our camp advancing to the front, followed by batteries of light artillery, and some long 30 pounder Parrott field pieces. Everything betokened a general forward movement; but on Sunday night a heavy rain flooded the country, rendering an advance impossible for a few days.

Capt. Sanford, Co. H, in consequence of impaired health, has resigned, and Lt. Joseph Freeman, of Co. C, as been assigned to the command, which gives general satisfaction.

The wife of Capt. Frank A. Kendrick is on a short visit to camp, having arrived a few days since from Cape Girardeau, Mo., where she had been with friends for some time past. About the last of April she became a party to a transaction, that, whilst it rid the world of a villain, proves her the worthy wife of a Union officer, ad shows that the honor of Iowa’s gallant sons may be safely entrusted to her fair daughter—

[As we have already published the particulars of this heroic act, we omit “Diff’s” description, further than to state that the name of the villain killed was Samuel Sloan, and that he left a wife and child. “Diff” speaks thus of the pistol used on the occasion:--Ed. Gaz.]

The pistol used was loaded by Sloan in Mr. Morrison’s store last Spring, to “shoot the first man that should run up a Union flag in Cape Girardeau.” It was left in the store, and Mr. M., to prevent harm, took it home, where it remained until as above stated. The ball, loaded by this traitor to his country to murder a Union man, was, by the judicious handling of a Union officer’s wife, the means of arresting in his mad career this specimen of Southern chivalry.

Thursday, May 8.—Three dry days, and the engineer regiment having rendered the road passable, orders were received lat night to move this morning. We were up at three o’clock, and tents down at sunrise. The brigade (2d Iowa and 2d Michigan cavalry,) moved forward, followed by their train. A camp was selected at this place, (four miles) and the column without halting passed on to the front. The country is up hill and down, with occasional ‘sloughy’ levels between them. The soil is thin and poor. Pine trees begin to appear interspersed with other timber. The farms are few, and it would be little harm were they fewer! From prisoners and the inhabitants we learn the market prices at Corinth, viz: soft hats, $5 to $10, boots, $15-$25; coffee, $10, and none at that; salt, $15 per sack, &c; and no money to buy. Cotton no sale.

Yesterday Col. Elliott visited the enemy with a flag of truce. He merely got within their lines, and had the privilege of returning. To-day Beauregard returned the compliment, both of which probably resulted in nothing except information gained by the way.

Our troops were in line of battle to-day a mile beyond Farmington, and within three miles of Corinth. The 2d Cavalry were skirmishing, and got into close quarters, not without loss. John Wilson, Co. B, of Marshall county was killed; shot through the chest and head. His body is now here, and will be buried tomorrow. Harry Doutbil, Co. D, is severely wounded, shot in the head and leg; and James Slawter, Co. D, through the wrist and calf of the leg. Lt. Washburne, Co. D, was surrounded and taken prisoner. He had delivered his arms, retaining one revolver, and as his captors were retreating with him, some of his company rallied and pursued. The Lieutenant, drawing his revolver, wheeled his horse, and broke from them. A volley sent after him killed his horse, but he made his escape, is safe and sound, and ready for another trial. A Major of the 7^th Ill. Cavalry was killed. It is now past 10 p.m. and our regiments just coming in, tired and hungry enough.

The country about Farmington (4 miles from Corinth) is more open. Our forces will probably move their camps, forage, rations, &c, forward to that locality to-morrow and next day, get ready on Sunday, and if the weather continues dry, about Monday, the 12^th, the probabilities are that Gen. Halleck will commence sending “Epistles to the Corinthians,” which will speedily convince them of “sin and judgment to come,” and cause them to seek protection under the sheltering stars and stripes and by renouncing their errors find rest in Abraham’s bosom! For the fulfillment of which anxiously awaiteth all men.

Your obt., &c,
Diff

Saturday Morning
May 17, 1862
Part 1

From the 2d Iowa Cavalry
Camp of Hamburg and Corinth Road
Friday, May 9, 1862

Friend Sanders.—Of yesterday’s skirmish, and loss, I wrote you last night , and to-night as a faithful chronicler, am compelled to add further to the record, which though of noble deeds, will carry anguish to loving hearts. About noon, orders came to be ready to move at the firing of a single gun. The signal soon came, and in ten minutes the regiment was in column, and on its way to the front. I may mention that most of our force which had advanced yesterday, had retired back to camp, vacating the ground they had occupied. Yesterday our regiment was a mile and a half beyond Farmington; to-day two miles this side of the town. They met Gen. Paine’s Division and three batteries, retreating. Passing this column on coming to an opening a mile wide, on the opposite side of which the rebels had three batteries, they formed into line, Lieut. Col. Hatch commanding with Majors Hepburn, Coon and Lave, commanding respectively the 1^st 2d and 3d batteries. The rebels had the range, and their batteries were well manned and playing rapidly on our lines. Gen. Paine rode up and ordered the regiment to “charge” those batteries. The batteries were three-fourths of a mile distant, and formed a line half a mile in length—sweeping with their murderous fire the whole space.

The charge sounded and officers and soldiers swept forward through the leaden tempest! Shot and shell hurtled through the air, or plowed up the ground beneath. The woods flanking the open space were occupied by rebel sharp shooters, and they too poured forth their murderous fire on the rushing line. Though such a fire of iron hail is seldom faced in a charge and horse and man went down by sections, yet onward at full speed charged the 2d Cavalry through canister and grape, to within one hundred yards of the guns, when they were found to be supported by dense lines of infantry. When knowing we were unsupported, the rally was sounded, and we retired, but had the satisfaction of seeing the batteries limber up and cease firing.

The regiment was absent from camp less than three hours. The charge was of short duration, but from the annexed list, which is reliable, Iowa may see whether her glory has been dimmed by the 2d Cavalry—whether another laurel has not been added to her brow—another bright page added to their immortal list—a record made that when Iowa is tried, she is never found wanting.

1^st Battalion—Commissary Sergt W. W. Miller, by spent ball in leg, slightly.

Co. K—Killed, none. Wounded, Corpl Elias W. Shephard, in head; Derwin Doner, flesh wound in leg; R. M. Downer, in leg by piece of shell; Fred Lehart, in head; G. R. Bradley, in leg by piece of shell, Abraham Leffler, in head and chest.

Co. L—Killed, none. Wounded, Corpl M. V. Hubbard, in head; G. W. Kelso, in the thigh, Missing James Raymond.

Co. E—Wounded, Lewis Kephart, in hand; Bugler, Wm. Dunderdale, in head; Corpl W. Aldrich in head slightly; Sergt J. W. Jennings, in hand.

Co. M—Wounded. Nathan Smith, in the foot, amputated below the knee; Sylvester L. Hazen, in shoulder, slightly; J. S. Breedan, in leg; John Parker, wounded and missing.

Continued…

Saturday Morning
May 17, 1862
Part 2

3d Battalion.—Co. I and D, all safe.

Co. F—Wounded, Labon J. Parks, in breast severely; Wm. Bailey, in thigh and rectum, severely; Sergt James Fought, in thigh, slightly; Sergt. Daniel Okeson, missing.

Co. B—Killed, John Burgh, (missing yesterday and supposed killed.) Wounded, J. S. Brush, in right shoulder, severely; W. M. Freeman, in breast by shell; Corp Wilker, missing; Cloud H. Brock, in arm, severely; Daniel Craft, in side, slightly.

2d Battalion—Co. A.—Killed, Sergt Frederick L. Ayer. Wounded, J.B. Gaddis, in arm and side, slightly; B. F. Wagoner, in shoulder slightly; Otis Legg, in side, slightly.

Co. H—Killed, Lt. Benjamin F. Owen. Wounded, Corp Haskins, in leg, slightly; A. V. Reeves, in thigh, slightly; A. N. Detwiler, in breast, slightly.

Co. G—Wounded, Capt Wm. Lundy, in the head, slightly; Sergt L. H. Waterman in hip dangerously; Corp J. T. Haight, arm and side; Anderson Heinly, severely through from side to side.

Co. C.—Wounded, Capt Henry Egbert, in thigh, by piece of shell; James Armstrong, through both hips and bladder (poor fellow, as I now write, just midnight, I hear his constant groans; brave man, I fear he must die;) Wm. Gordon, right heel—amputation below knee; James Taylor, through the shoulder severely.

Total—2 killed, 30 wounded, 1 wounded and missing, and 3 missing.

Captain Lundy, Lieuts Schnitger, C. C. Horton, Co. A, and Chas. Moore, Co. K, had their horses shot from under them. Ninety seven horses were killed and disabled, and nearly as many more wounded. A shell divided Lt. Col. Hatch’s heavy brass stirrup; another passed so close to Capt. Kendrick’s head, as to deafen one side, and numerous sabers, scabbards and revolvers show the scars of cannon shot, shell and bullets. The surgeons had all the wounds dressed before night and the sufferers with the exception of one or two, are quiet and doing well.

No Churches or Schools

Our excellent correspondent “Diff” has on several occasions referred to the absence of school houses in the slave States which he has visited, and the consequent illiterate condition of the people. A correspondent thus alludes to the same subject:

“On coming to Rolla, I was struck with the fact that there was neither church nor school-house in that town. From there to Springfield, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles, in which there are farming neighborhoods settled over twenty years, I saw but one church—a half finished building, commenced by the southern Methodists, and afterwards abandoned—and not a single school-house.—At Springfield there were indications of moral religious and intellectual culture, (churches and academies, temporarily abandoned during the possession of the town by the rebels, some of them destroyed,) but from Springfield to Cassville, there was not a church or school-house to be seen. In Cassville, I think, there must have been some obscure place used for religious purposes, but it was not visible, nor distinguishable from the other houses. From Cassville to this town, no church or school-house has met my eye. In Galena, the county seat of Stone county, there is no such structure. In Forsythe there is the same destitution of any outward signs of religion or education. Is it any wonder that in such a region the rebellion should find adherents among an ignorant and prejudiced population?”

The New Rebel Flag—Imagine a red handkerchief with a broad white bar stretching diagonally across it from one corner to the other, and a similar bar crossing the first from the opposite corners, with a blue shield at the point of intersection, on which a yellow spot represents the sun, and you have the flag.

Monday Morning
May 19, 1862

Local Matters

No Dispatches Last Night.—Atmospheric electricity interfered very much with the working of the lines on Saturday, and we have only about one-half our usual dispatches. We received none at all after dark Saturday.

Death of a Soldier.—Mr. Henry Love, of Washington county died yesterday morning at the residence of Mr. McEwen, on the Jersey Ridge road. When Camp McClellan was broken up, Mr. Love was removed to McEwen’s house, sick, and supposed to be deranged. He sank gradually till he died. He was quite young, and was a new recruit for the 16^th Iowa regiment.

Editor Gazette.—Dear Sir: I see by your paper that Dr. C. H. Rawson has resigned his commission in the army. This is an error. I had a letter from him yesterday, near Corinth. He has resigned his post as Surgeon of Iowa 5^th, having received the appointment of Brigade Surgeon, and is acting as such to Gen. Hamilton’s Brigade. He will not reign while the war lasts.

From Camp near Corinth

We are in receipt of a letter from a “Camp near Corinth” correspondent, testifying to the uncomplaining disposition of our Iowa boys, even when severely wounded:

Two or three of the wounded men came in three miles on horseback, each with a foot almost severed at the ankle yet sitting upright in the saddle and frequently making some careless remark, or threatening vengeance the next time they met the “secesh.” Two poor fellows, which I now have the care of, were each shot through the right ankle, and apparently by a large grape shot or small cannon ball. It was a sickening sight to see their limbs amputated, yet wonderful to observe how bravely they stood the operation. I was with them till midnight, and have been all day long to-day, and am now sitting between their cots, writing, as they are sleeping tranquilly. One poor man received his mortal wound, and died to-day noon, and I was told that only a few hours before he died he sat propped up in his cot and wrote a letter to his wife.

It is truly wonderful, how patiently our wounded men bear their pains, and how uncomplainingly they submit to the most painful surgical operations. If any doubt that Iowa has brave sons, let them come and see them fight, or view them lying in the hospital tent, and convince themselves of the fact.

To-day a secesh deserter came into our camp, and told his story, the purport of which was, that, although they were just upon the field, and nearly double in number, yet they sustained a greater loss in killed and wounded. Strange as it may seem, they evacuated their position, which of course our forces now occupy.

Sunday, May 11.—An attack is expected upon our left flank soon; and when I awoke this morning, the boys had their horses saddled, ready to start for the conflict at a moment’s notice. Another deserter, just come in, says that Beauregard lately made a speech, in which he seemed confident that he could, with the 120,000 men he claimed, whip us.—Perhaps he can, but I don’t believe it.

Yours, &c.~~~~~B.

Sick Iowa Soldiers.—The steamer D. A. January arrived at St. Louis, from the Upper Tennessee, last Wednesday. She brought a large number of sick and wounded soldiers to Jefferson Barracks Hospital. The following Iowa names appear among them:

James Taylor, Co. C, 2d cavalry; Wm. H. Reckord, and James Flanagan, Co. I, 8^th infantry. These are from Scott county.

John L. Bursh and Wm. F. Bullock, Co. B, 2d cavalry; James Slaughter, Co. D, do; L. J. Parks, Wm. H. Bulls, Samuel Craig, C. E. Biggs and James Faught, co. F, do; J. T. Haight, Anderson Hersley and E. H. Evans, Co. G, do,; Derwin Downer, Co. K,do.

Charles W. Adell, Co. D, 3d infantry; Luther B. converse, C. M. Townsend, George Everhart and C. H. Talmage, Co. I, do.

Daniel E. Follitt, co. H, 8^th infantry; Moses Conklin, Wm. Lewis, and Henry Applegate, Co. I, do.

Martin Poling, James f. Little, M. P. Myers, and Wm. H. Cooper, Co. B, 13^th infantry; Sam. F. Hill, Co. E, do.

Calvin Loid, co, B, 15^th; Wm. Phrekis, Co. C, do.

James Casley, Co. B, 17^th; Benj. Stephenson, Co I, do.

Cairo, Ill. May 15, 1862

We just arrived at this place, and through the assistance of Gen. Strong, got passage on the steamer City of Alton, (hospital boat) for Hamburg. We think it fortunate, as the next boat does not leave till Saturday.

I saw Rev. Folsom, he does not know what is most needed, but says that there is a great scarcity of thin drawers. Would it not be best to suggest the same to our ladies, that they may make up some.

I purchased a dozen essence ginger, and some ale, but have not time to look around here after the sick. Gen Strong tells me he has made arrangements to send them all home.

Yours &c.,~~~Ira M. Gifford.

Wednesday Morning
May 21, 1862

Local Matters

C. C. Carruthers, Co. F, 2d Iowa, died at hospital in Keokuk on Friday last, aged 23 years. He was from Van Buren county.

Lt. Col. Sanders.—We received a lengthy letter from our brother yesterday, written on Sunday and Monday of last week. His health is no better, still he refuses to come home.--They were at that time expecting a battle hourly.

Death of a Citizen Soldier.—It is with regret we announce the death of Newton Austin Haldeman, of this city, Sergeant of Co. C 2d regiment. He died of typhoid fever at Jefferson Barracks hospital on Thursday last, 15^th inst., aged 24 years. Mr. Haldeman was an occasional correspondent of this paper and his letters were copied throughout the country. A lengthy one furnished us after the battle at Fort Donelson, was pronounced by some of our cotemporaries, the best description published of that battle. He was an excellent young man, a kind brother, and a dutiful son. His remains were interred for the present at Jefferson Barracks. His brother is in the army at the East, and as no word has been received from him for sometime his parents fear that he too is no longer among the living.