"History of Decatur County and Its People" Volume I

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith, Supervising Editors

The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago IL, 1915.
 
Chapter VI ~ Decatur County's War Story
Pages 53 - 63
The County of Decatur is justly proud of the part played by her sons in the great drama of the '60s. Enshrined in the hearts of the people, these men who resolutely faced the terrors of the South, risking life, home, health and everything that was dear to them, in order that the Union might be preserved, truly deserve more than a few scattering words to their memory. It is true that monuments may be erected, the deeds of the brave sung in immortal verse and ennobled in the national literature, but the true memorial the sanctity of the heart will enfold and by world of mouth from generation to generation will the courage, fortitude and sublime self-sacrifice of the "boys in blue" be transmitted in enduring form. History has a purpose; it is to preserve, fairly and justly", the records of the past, so that a guide may be rendered to the thoughts and conceptions of future men and women who live when these white pages have grown faint and yellow. Simple statement of fact is far better than fulsome encomium in the narration of the big story of fifty years ago; it is by these direct, forceful means that history will serve its true purpose.

Decatur County at the beginning, when the first dark mutterings of war were heard, held a very peculiar position. There were about eight thousand people in the county at that time. Also there were no railroads and no telegraph and news filtered through slowly. Patriotism in such a position might be said to have existed in spots; large spots it is true. Decatur was located on the southern border of the state and this fact, did much to divide the sympathies of the people. It would not be fair to the present readers to say that this county resolved itself into a unit for the support of the North, for it did not. There was a very strong southern spirit here and very antagonistic to the northern element. The latter was, however, in the majority.

There existed during the opening years of war an organization known as the Knights of the Golden Circle and they were strongly represented in Decatur County, contemplating enlistment in the Union Army were made the recipients of many letters and verbal persuasions from these Knights, endeavoring to prevent them from fighting for the North. More of this will be related later in this chapter.

The general reader of today does not appreciate the scope of the word "slavery," what it meant in those days. The true meaning has been either mercifully expurgated from the pages of modern literature; or, it may be said, it is unfortunate that more has not been written of it, in order that the facts may be common knowledge. The term "white slavery" is well known today and the meaning: of the phrase brings to us a feeling of loathing and indignation. The slavery of the South was little better, was even more universal and more countenanced. In the ulterior character different in motive, it yet embodied deeds and principles exactly similar to the modern slavery. This inter-relation of the races meant commercial advancement on the auction block, thus the justification. Rome and the Latin countries also had their slavery and the literature of these peoples does not disguise the dreaded institution.

The outbreak of the Civil war has been attributed to many causes. These are all based upon the one thing — slavery. The political differences and the intrigues and enmities rested on this issue alone. In reading this deduction, many will disagree, for even at this late day there seems to be incontrovertible argument on each side of the - question. Slavery was distinctly out of tune with the times; the attitude of the southerners was falsely aristocratic; all of which tended to their inevitable downfall.

The stirring times which followed the Mexican Territory acquisition, the fugitive slave law, the Missouri Compromise, the struggle in Congress, the Lincoln-Douglas debates and Lincoln's election to the Presidency, cannot be detailed in a work of this scope, but a discussion is worthy as a preface to the story of the part Decatur County played later.

A greater appreciation of Abraham Lincoln's worth is gained when we comprehend the arena into which he stepped in 1860. The utter confusion, the threatening war clouds, and the words of the people, "Let's see what you can do," were stern tests for the "backwoods lawyer." The opportunity was given him and his accomplishments are history.

War might have been avoided had the North recognized the slaves on the same basis as cattle or any other common property, or, on the other hand, had the South reverted to the sentiment of the North and pronounced slavery an evil. It is evident, however, when the tenor of the day is considered, that these two theories were impossible. The mass of the people on both sides were eager for the actual conflict; mob spirit prevailed in many places; but the greater minds, the leaders, entered the struggle with heavy hearts.

Lincoln, Grant, Lee, Jackson and Longstreet, and other foremost figures of the war, were sad with the weight of unjust and useless carnage. The four years' strife, the early success of the Confederate hosts, the high tide at Gettysburg, the slow, merciless pounding of Grant's machine on the depleted army of Northern Virginia and the final chapter at Appomattox cannot be more than mentioned, but this is appropriate and adequate.

FIRST PREPARATIONS

Soon after President Lincoln issued his call for volunteers in 1861 a company was raised in Leon and vicinity. Their services were tendered to the state, but owing to the plentitude of other companies their services were not accepted immediately. They were told to hold themselves in readiness, which they did, drilling and training themselves regularly.

In July, 1861, the Decatur company was mustered in as Company D, Fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. George BURTON was captain; Joseph S. WARNER, first lieutenant; John B. SPRINGER, second lieutenant. WARNER resigned his commission in February, 1862. BURTON was afterward promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Howard BROWN, once promoted to first lieutenant, later became a captain. Frederick TEALE was captain during the latter years of the war. Samuel BOWMAN was first lieutenant after the promotion of Howard BROWN. James W. FINLEY became second lieutenant and later first lieutenant. James D. GAMBLE was second lieutenant for a time.

Soon after this first company was raised in the county a cavalry company was organized in Garden Grove and vicinity. In August, 1861, they became Company L of the Third Cavalry. Gilman C. MUDGETT was captain of the company until March, 1864, and was succeeded by John D. BROWN, who had been promoted from fourth sergeant to second lieutenant. Ezra FITCH was first lieutenant, but resigned his commission on May 1, 1862, and was succeeded by Dudley E. JONES of Keokuk. James C. WILLIAMS was first lieutenant during the last years of their service. Edward MUDGETT was the last second lieutenant of the company.

About twenty-five men from Decatur County also entered Company M of the same regiment under Captain John W. WARNER, who resigned February 6, 1862.

In August, 1862, another large force of volunteers from this county became a part of Company K, Thirty-ninth Infantry. Milligan J. CAIN of this county was made first lieutenant and Carrington S. PORTER second lieutenant.

In the fall of 1862 two companies of men were raised for the Thirty-fourth Infantry, becoming Companies A and I. The former went to the front with Eli H. ALEXANDER as captain; Jonathan R. WATERS, first lieutenant: Rowland T. SLOAN, second lieutenant. Company I had as captain, John WARD; first lieutenant, Almon S. GARDNER.

In August, 1863, Capt. John L. YOUNG raised a body of men for the cavalry. They were taken as a part of Company C, Ninth Cavalry, with YOUNG as captain. The latter was afterward promoted to the rank of major.

During the summer months of 1864 a company of men was raised in Decatur County for the 100 days' service. It became Company C, Forty-eighth Infantry, and was officered as follows: captain, James H. SUMMERS; first lieutenant, James BURROWS; second lieutenant, William H. BARNES.

There were maintained during a part of the war a Southern Border quota of companies, one from each county. The Decatur company was raised in September, 1862, and was known as Company A, Third Battalion. James H. SUMMERS was captain; C. G. BRIDGES, first lieutenant ; and R. G. MANSFIELD, second lieutenant.

A few men from Decatur County also joined Companies G and H, Sixth Missouri State Militia. A large number entered Company K and a few Company I of the Seventh Cavalry, Missouri State Militia.

During the War of the Rebellion quite a number of men from Decatur County enlisted in Missouri and Kansas regiments and had the county received its proper credit of men no draft would have been necessary. As it was, only a few men were drafted from three or four townships. Counting enlistments in outside organizations no doubt Decatur County supplied the Union army between 900 and 1,000 men.

Six full companies were furnished as follows:

Company D, Fourth Infantry;
Company L, Third Cavalry;
Company A, Seventeenth Infantry;
Companies A and I, Thirty-fourth Infantry;
and Company C, Forty-eight Infantry.

The following organizations were composed largely of men enlisted from this county:

Company M, Third Cavalry;
Company K, Thirty-ninth Infantry;
Company C, Ninth Cavalry;
and Company K, Seventh Cavalry, Missouri State Militia.

Besides the foregoing quite a number of soldiers joined the Fifth Kansas Cavalry, the Sixth Missouri State Militia, and other organizations.

The highest rank attained by a Decatur County soldier was won by George POMUTZ who became a brevet brigadier general. The next was George BURTON, who became lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth Infantry. Both of these men were born under a foreign flag.

When the war broke POMUTZ joined the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry and was made adjutant of the regiment. Shiloh was the first battle in which the regiment participated and in this engagement POMUTZ was wounded in the thigh. He became conspicuous for his gallantry in action and Mas promoted to the rank of major of his regiment. At the Battle of Corinth he rendered efficient aid as assistant adjutant general to Gen. T. J. McKENAN and also as engineer in connecting and strengthening forts and in constructing short interior lines. The regiment participated in the Vicksburg campaign and belonged to CROCKER'S Iowa Brigade.

On May 20, 1864, POMUTZ was selected and served for some time as corps provost marshal on the staff of Gen. Frank P. Blair, commander of the Seventeenth Army Corps.

POMUTZ joined his regiment at the beginning of the Atlanta campaign and bore a gallant part in the long series of battles which followed.

Later POMUtZ was made lieutenant-colonel and on March 13, 1865, was made brevet general of volunteers. He had frequently commanded his regiment and sometimes his brigade. Further history of this estimable gentleman's life may be read in another portion of this volume.

George BURTON, who became lieutenant-colonel of the Fifteenth Iowa, was born in the City of Dublin. His father was an Englishman and a wealthy manufacturer of Dublin. The son served as a sailor for several years and then came to the United States and finally settled at Bloomington, Illinois. He enlisted in the regular army and participated in the Mexican war. At the close of hostilities he came to Decatur County and entered what was later known as the SOPER Farm in Eden Township.

At the beginning of the Civil war BURTON entered the service as captain of Company D, Fourth Iowa Infantry. About a month after the Battle of Pea Ridge, BURTON was made lieutenant-colonel and at the Battle of Arkansas Post on January 10 and 11, 1863, he led his regiment.

At the close of the war BURTON located in Leon, where he resided for a number of years, and then took up his residence in Kansas. He died several years ago in Wellington, Kansas.

Decatur County furnished three soldiers who rose to the rank of major — J[ohn]. L. YOUNG of the Ninth Cavalry, R[acine]. D. KELLOGG of the Thirty-fourth Infantry, and G. C. [Gilman Clifford] MUDGETT of the Third Iowa Cavalry. Prior to his service in the Ninth Cavalry Major YOUNG served as captain of Company A, Seventeenth Infantry. At the Battle of Iuka [Mississippi] Captain YOUNG commanded the regiment by order of General Rosecrans, and no officer ever performed his duty more gallantly. The Seventeenth incurred the unjust censure of General Rosecrans at Iuka, but the regiment won such high distinction at the Battle of Corinth as to elicit the following congratulatory order from the commanding general: "The Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, by its gallantry in the Battle of Corinth, on the 4th of October, charging the enemy and capturing the flag of the Fortieth Mississippi, has amply atoned for its misfortune at Iuka and stands among the honored regiments of the command."

In the list of captains supplied by the county there were included the following: John B. SPRINGER and Fred TEALE, of the Fourth Infantry; John D. BROWN, John C. GAMMILL and John W. WARNER, of the Third Cavalry; James STONAKER, John F. LANDIS and Charles P. JOHNSON, of the Seventeenth Infantry; Eli H. ALEXANDER and Thomas WARD, of the Thirty-fourth Infantry; and James H. SUMMERS, of Company C, Forty-eighth Infantry.

The Third Iowa Cavalry consisted of 12 companies, 1,000 strong, recruited from the counties of Davis, Van Buren, Lee, Appanoose, Jefferson, Decatur, Wayne, Clarion, Monroe and Lucas. It was raised and equipped by Col. Cyrus BUSSEY at the personal request of General Fremont. The first regular battle in which the regiment participated was Pea Ridge on the 6th, 7th and 8th of March, 1862. Out of the 235 men engaged in the battle the loss was 25 killed, 17 wounded and 9 missing.

At the Battle of Hartsville, Missouri, John D. BROWN, then a lieutenant in Company L, was taken prisoner early on the morning of January 11, 1863, but was shortly afterwards paroled. On the 10th of June, 1864, the regiment bore a conspicuous and gallant part in the disastrous fight at Guntown, Mississippi. In Captain Noble's report of this battle the following is said: "Captain WILSON and Lieutenant LYNCH with Company C charged the enemy gallantly and drove the enemy's squadrons back. They were reinforced by Companies E and F under Captains SPENCER and CRAIL. This was on the 7th. On the 8th and 9th we advanced towards Guntown. On the morning of the 7th we left camp and went into the battle at Brice's Cross Roads. I placed one battalion on the right of the road and one under Major JONES also mounted on the left. Sent two squadrons under Capt. John D. BROWN a mile to the front as a picket. The battalion under JONES, Companies F, G, H and I, were under fire from a heavy column of the enemy and held them in check for almost an hour. Company I, under STANTON, was the most exposed of my squadrons. The enemy was driven back three times. We were ordered to retire and were relieved by infantry, but we formed in line immediately in their rear. After this the contest lasted but a short time when all were retired. The cavalry were ordered to protect the retreating columns. We were fired upon with solid shot and shell, but no disorder was caused. We were then ordered to fall back to Stubbs Plantation where we rested until 2 A. M. of the next day and then moved towards Ripley, holding the rear. After daylight two squadrons were sent a mile to the rear and a line formed to support them. We were then assailed with great fury and only by the energy and courage of Companies L, M and A under Captain BROWN and B under Captain DeHUFF did we hold the bridge leading to Ripley."

General Noble, in his report of the action of July 13th, speaks of Captain BROWN as follows: "This officer, with his usual coolness, seeing the enemy about three hundred strong, between him and the column, formed his men on the brow of the hill and calling upon every man who could keep in his saddle to follow him, led the charge; our men, cheering, firing and thundering down the hill, surprised the rebs, who broke and fled in amazement." On the afternoon of the next day W. J. SULLIVAN of Company N suffered the loss of an arm by a cannon shot.

Referring to the Battle of Big Blue on the Price Raid, General Winslow says, "I was struck in the left leg with a rifle ball and disabled and turned the command of the brigade over to Colonel Benteen. I know that Captain BROWN and Lieutenant WATTS were dangerously wounded while gallantly leading their men." The regiment participated in the Wilson Raid and Colonel Noble in his report of the affair at Ebenezer Church, Alabama, speaks of Captain BROWN as follows: "Captain BROWN captured a whole company with arms yet loaded; they were a color company and outnumbered the company that captured them."

Capt. John C. GAMMILL enlisted in Company L, Third Iowa Cavalry, August 10, 1861, and was made orderly sergeant of his company. On May 2, 1864, he was promoted to second lieutenant and on July 12th of the same year was made first lieutenant and served in that capacity until the close of the war. On July 1, 1865, he passed an examination for a commission in a colored regiment and was appointed a captain in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Colored Infantry. He served in that capacity until the regiment was mustered out January 9, 1866. For three months prior to this date he commanded the regiment. Captain GAMMILL served 4 1/2 years and participated in more than fifty battles and engagements.

In writing of the home-coming of the Third Iowa Cavalry, W. J. SULLIVAN, a member of Company M and who lost an arm in the service of his country, writes:

"In the fall of 1863 the Third re-enlisted at Benton, Ark. On or about January 20, 1864, at 9 o'clock at night, the regiment received orders to be ready to start for home at 4 o'clock the next morning. In my imagination I can almost hear the boys yelling and singing "Home, Sweet Home." You may rest assured that one blast of the old bugle brought the boys out of their tents, everybody busy rolling their blankets and making ready for the trip homeward.

"We marched to Little Rock and crossed the Arkansas River to the depot of the Little Rock & Duvall's Bluff Railroad. In a short time we boarded flat cars for Duvall's Bluff and arrived there in the afternoon. After a few hours' delay we went on board a little old stern-wheel boat called the Anna Jacobs. Just before dark we started down the White River, which empties into the Mississippi. Our first stop was at the Town of St. Charles. In some way information reached the regiment that a lot of rebels were located in this town. When we got to St. Charles the boat landed, the gang planks were placed in position, and we went on shore rebel hunting. We scouted around town for a short time, but there was no fighting. I do not think that we could have made much of a fight as we were armed only with revolvers, having turned our guns over to the Government before we left Little Rock.

"Our next stop was at Helena, Ark., where we landed and went up town to procure a few needed supplies. By 9 o'clock at night we were all on board and pushed out into the Mississippi and continued our journey. Our next stop was at Memphis, Tenn., where we stopped for the night for the purpose of procuring a larger and faster boat the next morning. During the night some of the boys got ashore, in some way unknown to the officers, and undertook to paint the town, and in doing so George RETHERFORD, of my company. was killed by the provost guards while trying to make his way back to the boat.

"Next morning we boarded a fine side-wheel boat called the Mary E. Forsvthe and started for Cairo, I11. There we left the boat and boarded a train for Decatur, I11., and reached there early in the morning. We then boarded a train for Hamilton, I11. I cannot brag on this last train, for the reason that it was made up of cattle cars, with rough boards for seats. But we were nearing our homes and loved ones and thought we could put up with anything which would hasten us to our homes and destination.

"On the morning of January 29, 1864, I think, we arrived at Hamilton, I11., just opposite Keokuk. It was early in the morning that we left our stock cars and started for Keokuk by crossing the river on the ice. When we reached the river we could see hundreds of people on the Iowa side ready to receive us with glad hands. Right here, in sight of the homes of many members of the regiment, we experienced our greatest peril of the war. For several days before our arrival the weather had been very warm and had to a great extent weakened the ice on the river. In our great anxiety to once more step on the soil of beloved Iowa we failed to realize the dangerous condition of the ice under our feet. We could see people on the wharf waving their hands, hats and handkerchiefs, but we thought, of course, that they were manifesting their delight at our return home. However, some of the boys took in the situation and gave the alarm. We then understood the signals of our friends. We scattered into a very thin skirmish line for the rest of the way across the river and were saved to our friends and country."
 
 
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