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Dubuque County
November, 1862

 ~ Contributed by Julia Krapfl ~

 

On October 26 Governor Kirkwood was here and reviewed the soldiers at Camp Franklin; he called on Bishop Smyth. On this date the Dubuque Herald said that Lieutenant Dewey was the most successful recruiting officer ever here; within one year he secured about five hundred volunteers for the regular Army, usually in small squads. A row at Camp Franklin resulted in the death of one soldier and the wounding of several others. The Silver Greys, eighty-four men, under Captain West, left for Davenport October 17; they were all over forty-five years. The citizens here did not properly care for the volunteers at Camp Franklin; many complaints arose; late in October about eighty were sick, mostly with measles and light fevers; a few of the worst cases were sent to private houses; several deaths occurred. Peter Kiene, Jr., was wounded at Corinth, captured, taken to Vicksburg, and finally paroled; he was warmly welcomed upon his arrival home, his death having been reported.

By November 4 the Thirty-eighth Regiment was full, but overcoats and arms were yet to come. The removal of McClellan in November was declared to be a great mistake by the Dubuque Herald. It was proposed by the Dubuque Daily Times to ascertain the property of Rebels here and confiscate the same. Mr. Mahony was discharged by the War Department about November 12, 1862; his friends gave him a rousing reception upon his return to Dubuque; he was met at the ferry and welcomed in a speech by Gen. M. Samuels; bonfires were lighted on the bluffs, buildings were decorated, and he was carried on the shoulders of enthusiastic admirers; at First street men took the places of the horses and drew his carriage up Main street and on others around to his residence on Bluff street. At the stand in Washington Square he was welcomed by Judge Wilson, Samuels and O'Neill. Mr. Mahony replied and stated that he would advocate the same policy he had formerly supported. When the Mahony procession passed the Dubuque Daily Times office all lights were extinguished and sepulchral groans came from the darkness. At the reception the Dubuque Daily Times employees and others spiked the cannon and hid the barrels of tar intended for the illumination.

"The captains of two of the companies of the Thirty-eighth Regiment, which left town Monday, ordered their companies to halt in front of the Dubuque Herald office and give three groans, which they did. Many of these men are those who have been guilty of acts of rowdyism and vandalism lately. They can never forgive us for the exposure of their cowardice."

--(Dubuque Herald, November 18, 1862)

"The Herald of Sunday published a most preposterous account of what it terms 'a brilliant ovation' given to D. A. Mahony in this city last Saturday evening on his return from prison. No one who was in the city then and saw what occurred could read its stilted description without laughing at its absurd falsehoods."

--(Dubuque Daily Times, November 18, 1862)

 

'The Democrats of Dubuque county, like Democrats everywhere, who have contended for the 'Constitution as it is and the Union as it was,' have been called traitors because they favored the suppression of the rebellion by legal and constitutional means. The charge of treason is now applied to men who seek to uphold laws. They who apply the name traitor boast that it has been their effort for sixteen years to destroy this government. To this school belong the leaders of the Abolition party in Iowa and to this class belong the men who in darkness and secrecy caused your arrest. The news of your arrest struck the people with astonishment. What was the specific charge! Where were the affidavits? Did anyone ever know who made the affidavits? I never did, except as a vague rumor."

--(Judge Wilson in welcoming speech.)

 

"I am come back, fellow-citizens, more than ever devoted to the principles for the advocacy of which I was incarcerated. I am come back resolved to adhere to them and advocate them. I told them at Washington that they should hear from me and they said they expected to. In due time they shall."

--(Mahony in his reply to welcoming speech.)

--(Dubuque Daily Times, November 18, 1862)

''The reception speech was delivered by Judge Wilson. As he embraced this occasion for throwing off the mask which he wore before the election, and by which many loyal voters were induced to vote for him, we shall notice it further."

--(Dubuque Daily Times, November 18, 1862)

 

 

 

 

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