Iowa in the Civil War - Davenport Daily Gazette

Iowa in the Civil War

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Articles from the Davenport Daily Gazette
September 1 - 4, 1862

Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann

Monday Morning
September 1, 1862

White Slavery.

A Correspondent writing from Helena, Arkansas, says:

I was greatly surprised the other day by the declaration of a person with whom I had been conversing in the post office of this place, when, in reply to a suggestion of mine about his loyalty, he answered, “Why, my dear Sir, I am a slave. I belong to Dr.____,” I looked in his face, unable to believe my own eyes. His complexion was whiter than my own; his eyes a blue gray; his hair and features Caucasian; his language free from Negro dialect. I asked him again, “Is it possible that you are a slave? Why don’t you go North and claim the privileges of a free man?” He answered, I have a wife and children, and I don’t want to go till I can take them with me. I have been allowed by my master to enjoy a measure of freedom, and to possess a little property of my own. As soon as I can realize something of this property I intend, while the opportunity exists, to secure the freedom of myself and family.”

Our conversation had commenced upon a written document which he had been showing me, and which he could read as well a myself. When he left me I wondered greatly that such a man, at least 40 years of age, evidently a gentleman and a Christian, could be held a slave, and another white man be allowed to take his wages for naught in a Christian community. And then I remembered that the modern doctrine of the South, as taught by the Richmond Enquirer and other expounders of the system, is that slavery is not based upon complexion or race, but that capital should own labor, and the best condition of society is that in which the entire laboring population are slaves. This is the doctrine on which the leaders of this rebellion are striving to establish a Southern Confederacy, and thousands of laboring men in the South are blindly led to give it their aid by fighting against the Government of their fathers from mere sectional hatred and prejudice.

When the rebellion shall be crushed and the South opened to free institutions and a higher civilization, the people who will be most benefited by the change are those who are now, by conscription and ignorance, arrayed in battle against us. May God speed the day when their eyes shall be opened, and they shall be able to discern between light and darkness!

Indian Troubles in Northern Iowa.
Des Moines, August 29.

We have nothing further from the reported Indian troubles in the northern part of the State It is believed that the first reports were greatly exaggerated. The following letter is all that can be reliably traced.

Estherville, Iowa, August 27.
C. B. Richards, Fort Dodge:

I write to inform you concerning the matters up this way. The whole settlement up at Jackson have just arrived—frightened off by the Indians. The facts are those: A Boy came in from the settlement to Jackson, wounded in the arm by a bullet, quite badly. He stated that the Indians came to his father’s house and commenced killing hogs. He was frightened, and ran pursued by an Indian, who fired upon and wounded him. He succeeded in eluding his pursuer, and is now here. He heard firing after he left and thinks that his parents are murdered, and the Jackson folks think the whole settlement above Belmont, numbering nearly fifty persons, are murdered. I hope it will not prove as bad as that. That there is bad work up there I have no doubt. Could you not raise a company and come to our aid? I have been here five years, but this is the first alarming report I have heard from the Indians. The people up this way have cried ‘wolf’ so often, that now the wolf ha come in earnest, I fear people up your way will be slow in coming to our aid.

--Jenkins, Postmaster, Estherville, Iowa.

Gen. Baker has sent arms and ammunition form Davenport to Fort Dodge, to be used for defense.

Doctors Certificates.—Divers doctors, lawyers, etc., in town got their certificates of disability yesterday, yet not one of them would refuse to be regimental Surgeon or a Colonel if they had a chance. At this rate not a thousand able bodied men will be left in Dubuque to stand the draft.—Dubuque Times.

A gentleman informs us that so far as he can ascertain not a single member of the legal profession at Dubuque has enlisted in the war. There is certainly no class of community that can better be spared.

Tuesday Morning
September 2, 1862

Local Matters.

Female Compositors.—So many printers have volunteered in the service of their country that there is a deficiency to supply the demand. Some offices are beginning to employ females in that capacity. The Muscatine Journal has got one printer of that gender and is intending to get more. As compositors, females are quite equal to the males and we see no reason why they should not be even more skillful in the use of their fingers. The only objection we ever heard to their employment was, that they used their tongues rather freely.

County Bounty.—the first of the new soldier’s bounty warrants were printed last Saturday, and the press has been kept busy ever since working them off. A large force has been employed for the last two days filling up the blanks and getting them ready for issuing. An effort is being made to dispose of as many as possible at par, and yesterday $3,000 were realized in this way. We would like to see the whole $30,000 or thereabout taken, if possible. It is a duty we owe the soldiers, and it is the most practicable way many can aid the cause, especially those who from physical disability cannot enter the filed themselves.

Returned from Minnesota.—The families of Daniel Grace and Bennett Thompson, who left Allen’s Grove last spring for Minnesota, arrived in town yesterday on their way to their old home. They had settled in Nicollet county, about twelve miles from New Ulm and fifteen from St. Peter’s. Before they left home, they heard the Indians were only two miles off, plundering and massacring all in their families to their former home. They had a large amount of stock on their on their farm. After leaving, they met a man who had seen their place pretty well cleaned out.

Off For the camp!—Lieut. Col. Gifford left yesterday morning for our army at Corinth. He takes with him a large and choice supply of hospital stores, contributed from all parts of the country. He is accompanied by Hon. Homer S. Finley Esq., whose experience in handling fruit and vegetables will be invaluable. Mr. Theodore Holm goes along, also, on behalf of the German benevolent association. The prospect is, all of them will have enough to do. The confidence of the people in col. Gifford’s doing the matter in good style, and that the wants of our soldiers, under his management, will soon be relieved, ah caused a great abundance of material to be offered by our farmers. Persons desiring to correspond with him at this place in reference to the he business in which he is engaged, will please direct their letters to Dr. Thos. J. Saunders, who will take care that such information as is desired, shall be transmitted. All goods from Davenport will be shipped by Mr. R. M. Prettyman, care of Partridge & Co., St. Louis.

List of Names of Capt. Torrey’s Company

Dolphus Torrey, Alphonso H. Brooks, Charles E. Squiers, George W. Thompson, Rufus L. Blair, Thomas F. Allen, John L. Bell, Gabriel Shirringer, Seth Cumins, Harrison Bird, Wm. H. Cook, Thomas Brockett, Jacob S. Surbey, M. Crawford Neely, John C. Kinkead, Wm. T. McLaughlin, Isaac Patterson, William Parmelee, Stephen Lorton, Charles Asher, Benj. F. Baughman, Jas. K. P. Baker, James Bishop, Thomas J. Bradley, Sullivan Hutt, John William Howe, Samuel W. Jones, Jonathan Kirkner, John W. Kimball, David Honse, Peter Lenmer, Samuel Lorton, Moses H. Miller, John North, James H. Owens, Joseph N. Parker, Theodore Plummer, John Paul, Avery A. Perry, Nathan A. Rambo, Augustus Reading, Peter Remine, David Ross, Aaron Lambert, Andrew J. Lindsay, William A. Akely, Eraiza A. Bennett, Sylvester Barber, William A. Carter, John B. Coons, Williwam M. Coles, Wm. E. Davis, Harlan Durand, Amos Fenno, Fames Forber, LeClaire Fulton, Charles M. Golden, Thomas Grant, Eli G. Gooden, Thomas M. Granfell, Charles H. Gardner, Eli S. Green, Jos. F. Heath, Charles Hawley, Edmund Lee Hunt, Walter J. L. Hunt, Anderson S. Harding, Amos F. Hoops, Lames C. Hers, Luellen A. Hawley, Samuel D. Risley, John E. Robeson, Madison M. Stuart, Frederick Seitz, Phillip Schneider, Joseph E. Stewart, Geo. W. Slade, John R. Stratton, Isaac Stathem, John A. Tisdale, John R. Williamson, Ira S. Wisner, Maxwell K. Walker, Noice A. Wooden, William W. Warrick, William B. Williams, Alexander A. Watson, Albert C. Van Epps, Wm. H. H. Van Epps, James Parmele, John W. Remine, Leonard R. McCulloch, Gideon Nickols, George W. Alter, John W. Jennings.

Wednesday Morning
September 13, 1862

Local Matters.

Death of a Soldier.—Dr. J. D. Hummer, of Co. C, 17^th regiment, died in camp near Jacinto, on the 17^th ult. He enlisted as a private in the above company and was afterwards appointed Ward Master, which position he held at the time of his death.

Iowa’s Quotas Full.—It has been ascertained that the quota of Iowa troops, under the two recent calls, is full. There is now, therefore, nothing required, but to fill the old regiments, and this should be done as speedily as possible.

Lively Appearance.—The city presented an unusually lively appearance yesterday.—People came in from all parts of the county to see their friends and acquaintances among the soldiers, and the camp was crowded with them all day. In the afternoon, music was obtained and dancing and general enjoyment ruled the hour. Since the arrival of the regiment here, matrimony has carried off three or four of the soldiers, and may do so with some more of them before the regiment gets away. They will be here at least a day or two longer.

“Exemption.”—From the crowds that gather around the office of our friend J. W. Thompson, Esq., every day, our citizens must not confined to this city; witness the following from the Burlington Hawkeye:--

“Go it ye Cripples.”—So great was the crowd of unsound men at the office of the examining surgeon, Saturday, that they came near breaking down the building. The weight was so great and the business so lively that the plastering gave way below and the floor came near to following it.

The Exempts.—Between three and four hundred persons have applied to Commissioner Thompson for exemption from military duty. The mode of operation is as follows: the application is made and signed by the applicant, and if for disability an order is given for exemption by the surgeon. If not a citizen, the following questions are asked under oath: Where were you born? When did you emigrate to the United States? Where have you resided since? Have you ever voted, or exercised the rights of citizenship? Have you ever been naturalized?

Lint Societies.—By reference to the Gazette of yesterday morning, the little girls of our city will find a direct appeal made to them from the Surgeon General of the United States, that they revive their lint societies and go to work to pick lint for the poor wounded soldiers. Just to think, hundred and thousands of soldiers, the brothers and fathers of little girls like yourselves, now suffering anguish from their bleeding wounds, when a little lint might stop the flow of blood and help to relieve their pain. Go to work little girls and pick lint—it will all be needed, more than your industrious fingers can supply.

Roster of the Twentieth Regiment.

Colonel—Wm. McE. Dye
Lieut. Col. _______
Adjutant—Constant S. Lake
Quartermaster—Jasper H. Rice.
Surgeon—Henry Ristine.
1^st Asst. Surgeon -------
2^nd Asst. Surgeon -------
Chaplain—Uriah Eberhart.
Serg’t. Major—Fred E. Starke.
Quartermaster Serg’t—Patrick Gaffney.
Commissary Serg’t—Joseph S. Lake
Hospital Steward—Lockwood J. Center.
Drum Major—John Delong.
Co. A—Captain Ellsworth N. Bates; 1^st Lieut. Charles L. Drake, 2d Lieut. Joseph C. McClellan.
Co. B—Captain, Edward Coulter, 1^st Lieut. James M. Dennison, 2d Lieut. Daniel Cavin.
Co. C—Captain, Mark L. Thompson, 1^st Lieut. Harrison Oliver, 2d Lieut. Robert M. Lytle.
Co. D—Captain, Dolphus Torrey, 1^st Lieut. Alphonso H. Brooks, 2d Lieut. Charles E. Squires.
Co. E.—Captain, Chester Barney, 1^st Lieut. John G. G. Cavendish, 2d Lieut. Edward E. Davis.
Co. F—Captain, N. M. Hubbard, 1^st Lieut. William Corbett, 2d Lieut. Monson M. Crosby.
Co. G—Captain, Joseph B. Leake, 1^st Lieut. Charles Altman, 2d Lieut. John B. Parcell.
Co. H—Captain Rufus H. Lucore, 1^st Lieut. Joseph J. Hollan, 2d Lieut. Wilson Wighton.
Co. I—Captain, Charles C. Cook, 1^st Lieut. James W. Carver.
Co. K—Captain, Sylvanus B. Byam, 1^st Lieut. Elijah Stone, 2d Lieut. Elias Taylor.
Cos. C, D, E, G,, and K are Scott county companies, and the rest are from Linn county.

Wednesday Morning
September 3, 1862
(Part 2)

From the 2d Iowa Cavalry

Friend Sanders:--On arriving home from Corinth to-day with a train of ammunition and stores, I found the long quiet of our camp had been broken rather unceremoniously. To give your readers an idea of the “lay of the country,” I may say Rienza is on the Mobile railroad which passes on South. Our infantry forces and artillery forces are intrenched about Rienza. Outside of the infantry lines is posted the cavalry brigade. The 2d Michigan on the left, or east flank, a mile to the west of the railroad—adjoining, and to the right the Iowa 2d cavalry, and almost adjoining and to their right the 7^th Kansas. The brigade occupying a front of a mile and encamped in a strip of timer half a mile deep with open fields to the rear, between it and Rienza and also for half a mile to the front. Extending to the he front southward at right angles from the 2d Michigan is the Booneville road. From the front of the Iowa is the Ripley and Blackland road and a mile to the west, and half a mile to the right and rear of the Kansas, bearing southwest is the Memphis road, and from the rear of the Kansas to the northwest extends the Kossuth road.

Within ten days our forage trains have been out to the front of our pickets on the Blackland road nine miles, on the Memphis seven, and on Sunday the 23d five miles on the Kossuth road. Our outposts are on these different roads from two to three miles from camp, and almost every day companies or battalions scour the country. For a month we have seen “nary secesh,” but to-day a regiment of rebel cavalry, who have been (in all probability) hovering about to the West of Corinth, mad a dash up the Memphis road. Co. L, were on picket, two miles out, but the rebels came in so rapidly that a portion were captured and the others pursued closely. The rebel dashed up the road to the he left and rear of the Kansas. Between them and the road are open fields, half a mile deep, with a ridge running parallel with the road, half way between it and the regiment. They swept from the road through the open field to the crest of the hill and within three hundred yards of the camps of the Kansas. The camps resting in fancied security, cognizant of no present danger, were suddenly aroused by a volley sent direct into camp. The Kansas fell into line, without horses at first, and you will not go amiss to say that a regiment never saddled up and got into line quicker than did the 2d Iowa just about that time—2 o’clock. The volley fired into camp mortally wounded two of the pickets, who were escaping to camp and so closely pursued that they could give no warning. The Iowa soon led the way, and the “reb’s” having commenced a hasty retreat, a rapid pursuit followed. The Iowa 2d, Co. E, in advance, led the column, the Michigan next, and the Kansas brought up the rear. Though they got the first alarm and were nearest, they didn’t get out first.

The roads are extremely dusty, and a dense cloud of dust marked the line. After pursuing a few miles, spurs were put to the horses, and after a “dead heat” of three miles came up with the rear of their column. Five of Co. E, with Judson Canfield, of Co. B, who had joined them, were advance guard. Amid the dense cloud of dust, they found themselves within a few rods of the rebels, who finding themselves so closely pursued, had dismounted and were in line and poured in a volley. Judson Canfield’s horse was shot out from under him, and falling with him against the fence, injured him internally, though not seriously, perhaps. Two of Co. E. also were wounded. The column halted and formed into line of battle, when the “rebs” broke and again took to their heels. Again the chase commenced, the rebels scattering in all directions; saddle-bags, clothes, shot-guns, rifles, carbines, &c., began to “lay around loose.” They took to the woods and fields. The column pursued them to and across Hatchee bottom, twelve miles, when dark overtaking, and not being able to outrun them, they returned.

The following is the list of casualties: Judson Canfield, Co. B, injured by horse falling; John Buck, Co. E, wounded in the hand by buckshot; Henry Buck, Co. E, in leg by buckshot; Jacob Buckman, Co. E, in breast, by spent ball, slight, and Wm. H. Mullet Co., L, shot through the abdomen; Corporal M. B. Viers, Co. L, shot through right lung. The last were the fleeing pickets shot as they fled into camp, and are supposed mortally wounded.

The following of Co. L, were captured: Orderly Sergeant C. R. Riggs, James Crawford, Terrell Wendell, Geo. W. Bagley, Jacob Strohm and Morgan H. Cavanaugh.

Results of the “race,” sixteen prisoners taken and a large stock of double barreled shot-guns, old rifles, carbines, sabres, knives, &c., &c. In a pocket of a pair of saddle-bags, Canfield brought in, was a very ancient pack of cards, wrapped carefully in a very dirty silk handkerchief; some biscuit, without salt or soda, or “grease,” very much on the “whetstone” order, and several cartridges for shot-guns. Each cartridge has twelve large buckshot, making a rather dangerous weapon to face.

Our battalion had gone out in the morning on the Blackland road. They visited Blackland and returned at night, seeing nobody, and only learning of the fracas after getting to our pickets. From the prisoners we learn, they had heard that the regiment was out to day; and they proposed “clearing out our camp.”

As one of our contrabands said, “Dem chaps come to take off your horses, but dey found more ob dem dan dey could take.”

Let them come again, they’ll always find us at home. They no doubt had many killed and wounded, but darkness closed operations. The regiment is out to-day after them. More anon. In haste. ~~Diff.

Thursday Morning
September 4, 1862

From the 2d Iowa Cavalry
Camp Near Rienza, Miss
August 26, 1862

Editor Gazette:--Cannot and will not our Provost marshal pass an order against the selling of Liquors to soldiers? This evil is growing to be a serious one and is leading to constant broils in the streets. One soldier of the 20^th regiment, had his head cut open at one of these dens on Front street, yesterday and turned out into the street beastly drunk.

Yours &c, Citizen.

Friend Sanders:--I wrote you hastily last night of yesterday’s proceeding, and to-night give you to-days. The regiments started out at daylight this morning, taking different roads; the Iowa 2d took the Kossuth road and penetrated some ten miles beyond Kossuth, twenty miles from camp, but found no foe.

The 7^th Kansas, on a different road were fired on from an ambush and had five killed and several wounded. They sent to the 2d Iowa, some five miles distant, and they came at the top of their speed, but could find nary secesh.

Last night in a house near the guerrillas arms were found, and that house soon became an ash heap. To-day one near this bloody scene met a similar fate. Does any of your Iowa Vallandigham candidates think this too cruel, to our “Southern brethren?” What say Augustus Caesar Dodge, Jones, Thayer, &c? If you don’t like it gentlemen, please step down this way, head the column of the 2d Iowa cavalry through Mississippi jungles, and as your “southern brethren extend their greeting, advocate to them your “peace policy.” I might extend to you that invitation gentlemen, personally, but in behalf of the 2d cavalry, ask pardon, they prize their reputation too high, to be caught in such company, even in Mississippi swamps.

I think what our country needs at this time is a regiment of Butlers, make them all major Generals, and if some of them have their headquarters in cities not far from even Iowa, some might get their just deserts.

There will probably be some work done in this country this fall, probably some thrashing done on a larger scale and with larger machines than are used in Iowa, though our State has a life interest in the massive one improvised for this occasion.

I am not a “Major General,” and have not yet determined that I ever will be. But if I were, there are some thing I wouldn’t do and yet again there are some things I would do. And to keep from getting things mixed I’d do one thing first, and that would be this. As we swept onward in our march, I would say to every man between fifteen and sixty, we are Union men, we are living for the Union, we are fighting for the Union, and if necessary we will die for the Union. If you are a good Union man, here is a musket; join the hosts of freedom, fight for yourself, for your suffering family, for your country and your God. If he chose the “starry emblem” for his banner, we would greet him as a brother, and believe him a union man. Did he demur, I would say, we know no neutral ground, flee quickly to your master’s domains, and share the fate of the traitor crew. But lest I say something harsh, I’ll adjourn sine die.~~Diff.

The 16^th of Iowa Regiment on Duty

The following is an extract from a private letter received from an officer in the 16^th Iowa regiment, now near Bolivar, Tenn., dated August 31^st.—

The 16^th were ordered out Friday afternoon to get ready with three days rations and all their teams, to march to Summersville, about twenty-four miles distant. In a couple of hours they started under command of Col. Chambers, with about fifty cavalry and a howitzer. The camp guard, and fatigue and guard details out of camp were left. The regiment returned at 1 o’clock Tuesday morning. Pretty well tired out. They had marched over thirty miles on Monday, the weather hot and the roads rough and dusty. They brought with them one hundred and twenty-nine contrabands, including a few women and children. Also, some horses and mules, and twenty four bales of cotton. This was a pretty successful expedition, and the only expedition sent out from this brigade recently. They met no guerillas, but several thousand rebels were reported within a short distance of the 16^th.

Of course no Negro was taken against his will, none known to belong to Union men. They would come. They came to Headquarters, and begged to be taken. On the return, they were waiting at the fence corners with their bundles. The boys halloed “come on,” and they came kicking up their heels like freed horses. The women and children piled into the wagons without asking anybody. One old fellow was asked how he could leave his wife and children. He replied that he had to leave them to go either South to be sold or North to be free, and he preferred the latter. He said he would die before he would return to slavery, and so would plenty of others. The owner of several of the women followed them to Bolivar. He was told that his slave could return with him if they wanted to, but could not be forced away. He went to them and begged and reasoned—tried everything in the way of bribes and good promises, and aid if they did not return they would be sent to jail. They refused to go most emphatically, sassed him scandalously, and declared their perfect readiness to go to jail, and there they did go temporarily.