Iowa Old Press

The Davenport Daily Gazette
January 7, 1862

 Benton Barracks, near St. Louis

 Editor Gazette:~~I am not desirous of enrolling myself among the numerous list of "Army correspondents" now in existence, but write in this instance so that the 14th Iowa Infantry may for once be represented in the columns of the Gazette.

               As you are aware, we left Davenport on Nov. 27th, 1861, and arrived here Nov. 30th, where we are still stationed. The entire regiment regret that we did not take the field immediately after leaving Davenport, as undoubtedly it would have been better for the regiment in many respects. Were it not for the crowded stated of the Barracks, we would have been comfortably quartered here. The Barracks are divided into divisions, and each of them in four blocks, one of which was originally intended for two companies whereas four now occupy them. In this manner they become exceedingly crowded. The ventilation, until recently, has been very poor-lately they have constructed ventilators on top of the Barracks, rendering them much more comfortable and healthy. If a hundred and eighty men are placed in a room poorly ventilated, which is not large enough for half that number, you can readily imagine how foul the atmosphere must be. This, and the changeable weather, has in a !
great measure caused so much illness among the men. Another great cause is in the fault of the men themselves. They have their daily rations issued them, which in quantity far exceeds the amount they would eat at home, yet they devour the entire quantity as though the Government required it and between meals they patronize apple-pie and pop-corn peddlers to an extent that would astonish one who has not been a personal observer. This error is more particularly to be found among new troops who have but recently left their homes. If all new troops will bear in mind the injurious effects of this course, they will avoid a great deal of illness, and some of them will prolong their lives. To exclude the peddlers is an utter impossibility, unless they exclude all citizens, and particularly washerwomen, who conceal pies in the bottom of their baskets and hide them with washing they bring in.

               We have had as many as a hundred and forty-five men on the sick list, though never had over thirty-five of that number sick enough to go to the regiment hospital. We have lost only fifteen men altogether since the organization of the regiment, and one of those by a fall while at Camp McClellan. You will readily discover that the mortality in this regiment has been much less than in other regiments, which have lost from forty to sixty in the same length of time. The regiment numbers about six hundred men and seven companies, three having been detached and are now at Fort Randell, D. T. We attribute this comparatively small loss to our good physician and the manner which our hospital arrangements are conducted. The hospital is under the direct supervision of our Col., who visits it frequently, and attends personally to the wants of the sick, without leaving it entirely for his chaplain to attend to. We have also an excellent physician (Dr. Staples, from Dubuque)!
 who is busy from before reveille in the morning until taps at night. At the hospital we have two ladies, who have frequently received the compliment of keeping the cleanliest hospital in and about the city. We have not yet sent one of our sick to any of the general hospitals in and about St. Louis, but have kept them at our own, a large brick building just outside the lines.

               Colonel Shaw has provided the regiment with their tents, which they have pitched in the Fair Grounds, a short distance from the Barracks. The latter are occupied by men who are unfit for duty yet not sick enough to go to the hospital. Since we have been in tents the health of the regiment has greatly improved.

               That Sanitary Committee that was sent from Iowa must certainly have forgotten that such a regiment as the Iowa 14th was in existence, for they did not visit our hospital; if so, it was without the knowledge of the Colonel, Surgeon or Chaplain. I notice by a report from that committee, published in a Keokuk paper, that they had provided the Iowa 14th with a box of hospital stores. This certainly must be an error, for we have never received anything from them, and if they forwarded it to the regiment, it never reached its destination. All articles we have ever received from any source whatever have been from the Ladies' Aid Society in St. Louis, who have kindly provided us with hospital shirts, slippers, &c. The officers of the regiment contributed freely to the wants of the sick in furnishing those delicacies which the Government does not. Should they overlook anything, the Colonel himself orders it furnished. The Surgeon General for the State of Iowa was down !
here recently, and called on our Surgeon; he remained a few minutes, stating that he could not visit our hospital, as he was going away next morning though it is positively known that he was in the city for several days afterward. If you desire, you can publish the following list of deceased members of our regiment, since its organization up to date, with cause, residence, &c:

Dec. 26, 1861--Jef. Morris,  Measles, Co. D, Henry Co.

Jan. 4, 1862-A. W. Balluff, Pneumonia, Co. D., Henry Co.

Jan. 5, 1862-Sam'l Edwards, Pneumonia, Co. D., Henry Co.

Jan. 10, 1863-Nap. B. Henry, C** Fits, Co. D., Henry Co.

Jan. 14, 1863-Robt. Goodacre, Typ'd Fever, Co. E., Jasper Co.

Jan. 13, 1863-S. C. Grooms, Pneumonia, Co. E., Jasper Co.

Jan. 24, 1863-Noah Kinney, Lung Fever, Co. E, St. L., MO.

Dec. 10, 1862--Geo. W. Pitt, Pneumonia, Co. F., Linn Co.

Dec. 22, 1862-H. J. Chapman, Lung Fever, Co. F., Henry Co.

Dec. 29, 1862-Leroy Bowen, Typ'd Fever, Co. G., Marshall Co.

Dec. 29, 1862-J. J. Aldridge, Pneumonia, Co. G., Marshall Co.

Jan. 6, 1863-Chas. Wheslen, Pneumonia, Co. G., Marshall Co.

Jan. 9, 1863--*. Haymaker, Lung Fever, Co. H., Jones Co.

Jan 8, 1863--*. Heil****, Lung Fever, Co. I., Henry Co.

Nov. 24, 1862-G. Rekhard, Fall at Camp McClellan, Davenport, Co. I., Henry Co.

               Nearly all of the above cases, were first taken with measles, terminating as above: All with the exception of four whose bodies were sent home, were buried in the Wesleyan burying ground, about two miles southwest from camp. Friends of the deceased can secure the bodies of their friends and gain any information they desire, by addressing Mr. John A. Smithers, Undertaker, No. 113 Chestnut street, St. Louis, Mo., who has a complete register of each death that has occurred in and around the city. Persons making application should be careful to state the name of the deceased, also company or Captain, and regiment, and if possible the date of death.

               To-day, the Iowa 12th, col. Woods, and the Mo. 13th, Col. Wight, left the camp for Cairo. The Iowa 1st, 2d and 3d cavalry are here, also the 14th, sit in these barracks. We do not know when we will leave, and our destination is as uncertain as our departure. With kind regards for all at home, I am

Yours respectfully,
N. N. T.,
14th Iowa Infantry.

             

WANTED!

For the U. S. Regular Army
Able Bodied Men, of good moral character, between the ages of 13 and 23, without wife or child.
Pay per month, $13, With Clothing and Rations, and the best Medical Attention.
Captain S. A. Wainwright
Recruiting Officer for 13th U. S. Infantry
Office-S. E. Corner of Brady & Second street, upstairs.

Transcribed by Elaine R.

Davenport Daily Gazette
Friday, January 24, 1862

 Local Matters

 A Scott Co. Soldier Dead.-Hiram Hall Blackman, son of Mr. L. S. Blackman, of Buffalo township, a private in Co. E., 2d Iowa Cavalry, died of measles on the 12th inst. at St. Louis, in the 24th year of his age. His father has telegraphed for his body, which is expected home to-day for interment.

Adjutant General's Office of the State of Iowa, Des Moines, January 11th, 1862. There is now an opportunity to raise two companies for the 16th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Persons desiring recruiting commissions for that purpose will make immediate application to me at Des Moines, presenting such recommendations as they deem proper.~~N. B. Baker, Adjt. Gen'l of Iowa.

 Married

In this city, on the 22d inst. by Rev. L. Buttervield, Mr. W. L. Carroll and Miss Amanda A. Howland, all of this city. By Elder James Challen, on the 22d inst., at the bride's father's , Long Grove, Alexander W. Brownlie to Miss Elizabeth Thomson, all of Scott county. There were about 60 of the relations of the families present.

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.

 Jan.11-James B. Sterns, Co. A. 6th Iowa. do

               John B. Kuhne, 2d Iowa cavalry. do

Jan. 12-Jos. J. Hilbert, Co. C., do

               J. R. Lamb, Co. C. 7th Iowa. do

               John Hanly, Co. A. do

               John S. Lee, Co. D., 12th Iowa. do

               John Rutter, Co. G. 3d Iowa. do

               Hiram Blackman, Co. E. 2d Iowa cavalry. do

               James Himord, Co. C. do

Jan. 13-Jasper Coyner, Co. D., 12th Iowa.

               John L. Jacques, Co., D. do

               Robert Goodacre Co. E.,14th Iowa. do

Jan. 14-Wm. P. Hatfield, Co. M, 3d Iowa. do          

               Willis Brown, Co., G. 3d Iowa. do

               Leslie Moore, Co. A., 2d Iowa cavalry. do

               Abraham Patterson, Co. F. do

               Henry Haradon, Co. D. 12th Iowa. do

Jan. 15-Daniel Conger, Co. C., 12th Iowa. do       

               J. H. Sarnes Co. K, 2d Iowa cavalry. do

               Samuel Hennington, Co. E 12th Iowa. do

Jan. 16-Moses Armentrout, Co. E. 2d Iowa cavalry. do

               Samuel M. Johnson, Co. H., 11th Iowa. do

               Bartholomew Pierson, Co. I, 13th Iowa. do

               Charles Kant **ooke, Co. F., 2d Iowa cavalry. do

Jan. 17-Hy**** Kinnan, Co. F, 2d Iowa. do

               Franklin Fies, Co. A, 2d Iowa. do

               Isaac V. Dean, Co. H, 2d Iowa. do

               Henry Jones, Co. C,12th Iowa. do

               Granville Russell, Co. C, 12th Iowa. do

Jan. 18-Hugh Linn, Co. A, 2d Iowa. do

               J. Galvin, Co. 11th Iowa. do

               Hebadrick C. Groom, Co. E 14th Iowa. do

               Warner N. Gray, Co. I., 2d Iowa cavalry. do

               David M. Cockerham, Co. D, 2d Iowa. do

Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann

Davenport Daily Gazette
Saturday Morning
January 18, 1862

Local Matters

The following persons were yesterday unanimously elected commissioned
officers in "Baker's Light Guard," 16th regiment: E. M Newcomb, 1st
lieutenant; Frank N. Doyle, 2d lieutenant. This company is from Dubuque, has
53 men in camp, and will probably be full in a week or two, as several
squads are now ready to come in.

The 16th regiment has just received from the East its complete uniforms,
overcoats and equipments-all of the best quality. These will be assigned to
the soldiers as fast as they are mustered in. As we have before said, this
will be the best equipped regiment formed in Iowa and put into service.
Additions of men are daily being made to the regiment.

Davenport Daily Gazette
Wednesday Morning
January 22, 1862

Captain Jack Slaymaker, of company C., 24 Regiment Iowa Volunteers, is now
on visit to his friends in this city. This is the first opportunity he has
had of visiting his old home since he left with his company months ago, and
we hope he will have a good time. There is no better officer or man in the
2d regiment than Capt. S., and we are glad to have him once more with us.

Death in Camp-Night before last a young man named George Bradford, a private
in Capt. Palmer's company, died at Camp McClellan. He was one of the best
soldiers in the company, and highly estimated by his officers and
companions. He was not thought to be dangerously sick till just before his
death. He lived in Muscatine county. His remains will be taken home to-day.
There are now but few sick in the hospital, and none dangerously so.

A Visitor in Camp-Day before yesterday Judge Williams, of Muscatine, visited
Camp McClellan, more especially to see the Muscatine boys there, we presume.
The Judge is a gray-haired and very affable old gentleman and well known in
this region. He rather astonished the boys in camp. He first got a violin,
and uniting his voice to its melody sung some first rate songs. He then
visited the Band quarters, and taking a drum not only beat it in style, but
beat all the drummers in camp. He then convinced them that he was also
rather ahead in the fife. No other instruments lying around loose, he did
not give further exhibition of his musical genius. The judge was a
drummer-boy in the war of 1812. During his visit to camp, he joined the
band, and played the fife when they 'beat off'. The Judge's visit was
apparently a delightful one to himself and to the whole camp He will be
welcome again.

Died.--We learn that Hiram Blackman, a son of L. Blackman, Esq., of this
city, a private soldier in company E., Second Cavalry, died the 12th last,
in St. Louis.

Davenport Daily Gazette
Thursday Morning
January 23, 1862

Local Matters

The Ladies of the Davenport Soldiers' Aid Society return their thanks to
Rev. Mr. Kynett for his interesting and instructive lecture upon the
condition of the sick and wounded soldiers of Iowa, whom he has lately
visited at their different hospitals. The thanks of the Society are also
tendered to Mr. R. B. Hill for the use of the hall, and the editors of our
daily papers for their kindness in advertising the lecture.~~Sec. Soldiers'
Aid Society.

An Astonished Trio-On Tuesday an amusing circumstance occurred on Brady
street. A horse marked alike for venerable age and scant sides, was attached
to a rough device of a sleigh containing an old man and woman. In descending
the hill the horse kept at a deliciously slow gait until in crossing the
railroad track, when some part of the harness gave way and roused him into
unwonted activity, frightening the driver, who, in attempting to control him
guided him on to the sidewalk and through the window of a millinery store.
The shock of the glass and the sight of a new bonnet hanging just in front
of his nose, was too much for horse flesh, and backing out he became quiet.
It was hard to tell which of the three was the most astonished.

Drowned-Miss Mary E. Deeds, an estimable young lady of Carroll County,
Illinois engaged in teaching school in Lyons, Iowa, was drowned one day last
week while crossing the Mississippi from Fulton to Lyons, by falling into an
air hole.

Edward Jones, aged nine years, was drowned at Fort Madison on Sunday last,
while sliding with other boys on a sled down the slippery bank of the river.

Iowa 8th Regiment.-We commence on our second page a history of the 8th Iowa
regiment from the time they left Benton Barracks. It is carefully written
and furnished us by our friend, Rev. C. G. Van Derveer (sic), chaplain of
that regiment. It will be continued through three numbers of the Daily, but
be furnished complete in our Weekly edition. To some of our readers, those
who have no immediate interest in the welfare of Iowa troops, the letters we
publish from the various regiments of our State, may not possess so much
attraction, but if they could only perceive the avidity with which these
letters are sought, especially by those whose boys have gone soldiering,
they would admit with us that our space could not be better occupied. As the
8th regiment has not yet been reported through our columns, we take pleasure
in laying before our readers the truthful statements of the Chaplain. Our
war correspondents are all reliable, and generally write over their own
names.

The Eighth Iowa Leave St. Louis

The 8th Iowa, under command of Lieut. Col. Geddes, left Benton Barracks on
the 9th of October last. A finer appearance could not be made by a regiment
than was presented as we marched up Fourth street to the depot of the
Pacific, R.R. with "fixed bayonets," pipes piping, drums beating, and our
beautiful regimental colors floating in the breeze. It was said that every
regiment which had marched up that noted street, previous to ours, had been
saluted by the report of pistolry. But our commanding officer, who is as
brave as he is humane and gentlemanly, was not deterred from making an
honorable exit by the rumor, being determined, if necessary, to give the St.
Louisan's a practical illustration of the skill our boys have acquired in
"bayonet exercise," if we were fired upon. This display of skill in the
manual of that most useful instrument-was, however, rendered unnecessary, as
no pistol shots were heard. Our destination-so said the order received by
our commanding officer-was Jefferson City, whither we were to proceed and
await further orders. To give a little excitement to our trip, we were
informed by a dispatch that concealed batteries were placed along the
railroad near Gasconade bridge, with the intent to fire upon us as we
passed; also that the said bridge was burned, and that the little town of
Hermann was occupied was occupied by rebels, who would dispute our further
progress in case the batteries did not demolish us, and we should escape a
fall into the Gasconade. With such comforting reflections as the
above-mentioned dispatch would inspire, we at last started with our long
train. As night began to draw her dark folds around us, the order was given
to load our pieces. Our commanding officer took his position in the front of
the train near the engineer, that he might see what was going on. The event
proved that this precaution, though certainly warranted by the dispatch, was
not necessary.

Jefferson City.

We arrived at Jefferson city safe and "in food order." Here, by a delay in
sending us word whither to proceed, we were compelled to wait all day. And
what a day it was! Cold and rainy; and as our men were in open cars they
suffered from the wet and cold. While waiting orders, I took the
opportunity, in company with a brother officer, of visiting the State House;
and a fine building it is, though as yet unfinished. Situated on a high
bluff, it commands an extensive view of both sides of the Missouri river.

The Eighth Iowa Arrive At Syracuse.

About 10 p.m. we left Jefferson City and came into Syracuse. At this place
we remained 10 days. Here the various regiments in camp were reviewed by
Gen. Fremont and Secretary Cameron, and brigaded. Our brigade consisted of
the 8th and 6th Iowa, 7th Missouri, a batallion of regular infantry and some
regular cavalry. Col. Steele of our regiment was then appointed, and has
been ever since acting as Brigadier General. Here too the measles first made
many in that weak condition, which proved so disastrous to them-fatal to
some-during our hard march to and from Springfield.

Leave Syracuse-Southern Movement

On the afternoon of Oct. 21st, we left Syracuse. Our brigade formed a part
of the 5th division-the reserve of the "grand army of the Mississippi'-one
more under command of Brigadier General McKinstry, then acting Major
General, now safely quartered in the arsenal at St. Louis. We left Syracuse
poorly furnished with transportation-so poorly that the boys were forced to
pack their knapacks-- with half rations, we marched on, making fair day's
marches till on the evening of Oct. 24th, we went in camp about 3 miles
north of Warsaw.


The Eighth Come on To Warsaw-Incident.

We remained at our last camp one day, and on the afternoon of the second day
came on to Warsaw. We arrived at this "secesh" town about dark, too late to
pitch tents. Our regiment lay along the road close by the house of one Judge
Wright, who is a wealthy man of decidedly secession proclivities, so at
least I was informed by citizens of the town. Still, the Judge had procured
a "safe guard" from Gen. Fremont, and consequently his property was invio'
able. The field and staff officers of our regiment, as did several officers
of the 6th Iowa, obtained permission of the Judge's wife to sleep on her
parlor floor. When I entered the parlor, I found my friend, Lieut. Col.
Cummins, of the 6th Iowa, seated by the center table, conversing with a
young lady who was making a pair of slippers. The Colonel introduced her as
Miss W., daughter of the Judge. She made no attempt to conceal her secession
sympathies and very willingly showed the slippers on which she was working a
secession flag. Dame Rumor says the young lady's accepted lover is a
Lieutenant in the rebel army, and that the slippers were intended for his
solace and comfort after the forced marches, to which the rebels invariably
betake themselves when any large number of our men approach their vicinity.
As our regiment was delayed some hours in crossing the Osage I had an
opportunity of conversing with the young lady and her mother. I have, in our
marches through this state, improved as I could opportunities of conversing
with the citizens, so as to learn their feelings about the present war. Miss
W. openly and defiantly avowed her principles. She declared the object of
the ar to be the abolition of slavery. I endeavored to show her by the acts
of the administration that the perpetuity of the Union was the object of the
war-that slavery, though the cause of the war, was a side issue in its
settlement, and the abolition or non-abolition of slavery would depend upon
future developments. In reply to her inquiry, "You think slavery is right
don't you?" I answered "No." This led to further conversation, in the course
of which I remarked to the effect, that I did not see that a dark skin
necessarily deprived a man of that manhood which God had given him, but that
the ignorance and stupidity imputed to the Negro were rather the effect of
his bondage. To this, Miss W. replied, "If that is the way you talk I won't
have anything more to say to you," and left me to my musings. And then I was
reminded of Senator Sumner's famous speech on the "Barbarism of Slavery."

Pomme De Terre-Camp Starvation

We left Warsaw October 26th, and marched over a hilly country, whose chief
product is rocks, eight miles to Pomme de Terre river. The boys fared very
hard here for want of rations of which we were destitute except beef; of
this we always had plenty. The popular camp name of this encampment is "Camp
Starvation," though it is frequently called "Pancake Hollow" and "Slapjack
Creek," suggested by the kind of meal here served out. This seemed to be
wheat, ground straw and all of it threshed it could scarcely have been
passed through a "fanning-mill," as the meal was full of straw from one to
three inches in length-of this mixture cakes were made, not very palatable,
or healthy as the increased number of those who came every morning to the
Surgeon's tent, plainly indicated. Still it sustained life if it did produce
sickness.

Davenport Daily Gazette
Friday Morning
January 24, 1862

Report

Of the Sanitary Condition and the Number of Deaths in the 12th Reg't Iowa
Infantry, form their arrival at St. Louis to the 15th January, 1862.

Camp Benton, Mo., Jan. 16th, '62.

After much exposure to cold at Dunleith, and traveling by rail two nights
and one day, the Iowa 12 arrived opposite St. Louis on the morning of the
1st December.

The men stood nearly all day upon the river bank, in a chilling wind. In the
evening they were marched to Camp Benton, the streets being excessively
dusty and were quartered in an unfinished building, which had been begun,
and has since been finished and used as a stable. There were no stoves, and
no means of warming these quarters. There was a very limited supply of
straw. The weather continued cold, and snow fell on the 3d. After remaining
in the stable a week or more, we were ordered into barracks which had been
recently used as a convalescent hospital. The officers and men were diligent
in repairing and renovating the new quarters, which began to be comfortable
when we were ordered into other barracks less perfectly ventilated and in a
part of the camp less thoroughly drained. The weather became warmer and the
ground muddy. The men's shoes were bad. Coal stoves were crowded into one
apartment, originally intended for but one. All these causes conspired to
develop and aggravate catarrhal affections. So nearly universal were coughs,
colds and sore throats, that many attributed it to an epidemic of influenza.

The camp was at the same time full of the contageous (sic) measles, and the
12th did not long escape its attack. A large number were liable to it from
having been recruited on the frontier than if taken from older and more
densely populated districts, and quite a number have had it for the second
time.

The disease, ordinarily considered a mild affection, has, under these proved
dreadfully fatal-fatal-the mortality resulting, in almost all cases, from
the after consequences either upon the lungs or the bowels.

After being in Camp Benton a week or more without any hospital
accommodations at all, we were assigned a new brick building outside the
lines as a Regimental Hospital, capable of accommodating 25 to 30 patients.
On the 10th of December the worst cases were selected and taken there. After
it became full those most seriously sick were taken to the different general
hospitals in the city, while the mild and middling cases were retained for
treatment in the quarters. The Regimental Hospital, though at first scantily
furnished was soon well provided for through the Aid Societies of Iowa and
the Aid Societies of St. Louis acting in concert with the Sanitary
Commission and Surgeon Gen. Hughes. Many generous friends-both ladies and
gentlemen-whose names we do not know, have visited our sick and contributed
to their comfort. We have had a faithful corps of nurses, and our Hospital
Steward, S. C. U. Hobbs, and his wife as Matron have been indefatigueable in
their labors. Assistant Surgeon Zinley has been very efficient, though
laboring under circumstances of great difficulty. We were supplied with good
articles of medicine, but the variety of articles is limited, and some that
would have been specially serviceable were not furnished.

At first we all labored under an erroneous prejudice against the general
Hospitals and kept our patients out of them as long as possible. They are
indeed-under the supervision of the Sanitary commission-excellently managed
institutions, having all the advantages that money can purchase and a
benevolent skill can apply. We have now no new cases of measles. Some of our
men are now having mumps and a few pneumonias. But the general improvement
in health is very great. Our men are under marching orders and well armed,
are in good spirits, save the sadness at the loss of so many comrades. Our
Regimental Hospital is now broken up and our stores packed for
transportation.

It will be seen by the following list that we have lost twenty nine men up
to the 15th instant. all of whom have died from the effects of measles
except three, or at least all but three have had measles since coming to
Camp Benton.

Name   Co. Hospital   Complaint Died

John W. Brows  A Regimental  Measles  Dec. 19
Neal McKenzie  A Good Sam'rit'n  Measles  Dec. 31
D. D. Cantonwine A Good Sam'rit'n  Measles  Jan. 4
Joseph Hace  A 4th St. Milit'y  Fever  Jan. 10
Jasper J. Milner  B Regimental  Measles  Dec. 24
Thos. Stack  B Good Sam'rit'n  Measles Jan. 11
George Calico  B Good Sam'rit'n  Measles Jan. 12
William Forbes  C Pacific   Measles  Jan. 7
Leroy Lewis  C Good Sam'rit'n  Measles  Jan. 8
Elijah Classen  C Good Sam'rit'n  Measles  Jan. 16
Donald Conner  C N. House Refge  Measles  Jan. 18
Wm. U. Webster  D Regimental   Pneumonia Jan. 6
Wm. D. Daly  D Pacific   Measles  Jan. 9
Jasper N. Conner  D Pacific   Measles  Jan. 18
John G. Jackson  D Regimental  Measles  Jan. 19
John R. Lee  D N. House Refge  Measles  Jan. 17
Henry Harridon  D Good Sam'rit'n  Measles  Jan. 15
Franklin Cooley  E N. House Refge  Measles  Jan. 11
*. *********hoff  E Good Sam'rit'n  Measles  Jan. 7
Sam'l Belsh  F Regimental  Measles  Jan. 3
Thos. Hinkle  F Good Sam'rit'n  Measles  Jan. 4
Hiram E. Hatfal  F Good Sam'rit'n  Measles  Jan. 7
Geo. W. Felier  H Good Sam'rit'n  Measles  Jan. 8
Joseph Noggies  H N. House Refge  Measles  Jan. 11
Sylvester Barker  H Pacific   Measles  Jan. 11
A. Hufsmith  H 4th St. Military  Unknown Jan. 11
A. Codley  I N. House Refge  Measles  Jan. 1
Joseph Bryan  I Good Sam'rit'n  Measles  Jan. 6
Job Main  K Good Sam'rit'n  Measles  Dec. 31

C. C. Park 12th Reg't Surgeon

The Eighth Iowa Regiment
(Continued)

Approach to Springfield.

On October 31st we were ordered to pack up our "traps" and start for
Springfield. That night we camped near Quincy. We were ordered to be ready
to march by daylight, and by forced marches to join the main army at
Springfield as soon as possible. About 40 of our men who were not equal to
the march, with some from the 6th Iowa, were left here under the charge of
our excellent 'Hospital Steward'. The rest of us started on. We made about
29 miles that day and camped, or rather lay down, (for we didn't pitch our
tents that night,) about a mile from Bolivar. Many of the men had fallen out
of the ranks, and stragglers were coming in nearly all night. Next morning
we again began our march, and that day made about 26 miles. It was on the
evening of this day that we received the official announcement of Gen.
Fremont's recall. This information occasioned some regret among our officers
and men, for we had hoped that after his immense preparations Gen. F. would
do something. We also thought it rather unfair to remove a General just as
he started out on the prosecution of his plans. But so far as I saw, there
was in our Brigade, and so far as I have been able to discover by diligent
inquiry, in our division, no manifestation of feeling which the most fervid
imagination could construe even into the appearance of mutiny. This night,
too, we went into camp with a very small regiment-many of our men having
given out by the wayside. Most of those who had fallen back came in before
morning.

The 8th Arrives at Springfield-Prospects of a Battle

Next day, Nov. 3, we marched into Springfield. Our Brigade camped about a
mile west of the town. Here we found "the army of the Mississippi." All
around the town were innumerable tents, and the whole scene was one of great
novelty and interest to a citizen soldier. It was reported that Price's
pickets were only seven miles from us. The afternoon of the day we arrived
at Springfield, an order came in camp to prepare to march immediately after
Price. This order was most willingly obeyed. Our boys were drawn up on the
color line and their guns inspected; the horses of the field and staff
officers were saddled; hospital wagons got in readiness to move; those too
unwell to go were drawn up in line, addressed by the commanding officer and
entrusted with the care of the camp. We all thought the long-wished for time
had at last come-we waited, expecting every moment to hear the order to
march. The plan was to march out to the pickets or as near Price as we could
get that night, and make a night attack, or wait till the morrow to give him
battle, as the case might demand. About sundown an order came down not to
advance, but to lie on our arms all night. So our horses were reluctantly
unsaddled, and we turned into our tents and blankets, a regiment of
disappointed men. That was the first, the last and the nearest approach we
have yet made to a battle. From all the information I can obtain, it is
doubtful if we were within 40 miles of Price at any time on our march. He
was kept perfectly posted, by secessionists along the route, of all our
movements, and of course retreated towards Arkansas whenever he heard of the
approach of any number of our troops proportionate to his own. His policy is
not to risk a general engagement of our army whenever he may find the
chance. Price is an admirable "bushwhacker." We remained in camp near
Springfield six days.

A Visit to Wilson's Creek Battle-Ground

During our stay in Springfield, it was determined by the "powers that were"
that a detachment of one company from each of several regiments should go
over to Wilson's Creek battle-ground, and bury any of the dead who might
have been left uninterred after the battle. Co. D, whose youthful and
gallant Captain had served as a private in that very field in the heroic
Iowa 1st, was detailed from our regiment. It was my good fortune to fall in
with Major Dubois on my way over, and have from him an account of the part
his battery commanded the famous "corn filed," and saved Plummer's noble
little band of regulars from annihilation by the fierce charge of the
Louisiana and Mississippi regiments. These regiments, the bet drilled and
armed in Price's army-the Louisiana regiment carrying, it is said revolving
rifles, five shooters, marched out of the brush that concealed them, and
charge on the regulars with terrible effect. But a few shells from Dubois'
well directed battery sent them back to the brush and cleared the field. We
first visited the "corn field;" here we found the uninterred body of a
regular belonging to Co. C, Plummer's battalion. He was shot through the
right breast, and probably fell dead without a sensation of pain. From the
"corn field" we rode over to the bluff opposite, where Totten's battery was
placed, and a battalion of regulars under co. Steele, and the Iowa 1st and
Kansas 1st fought. Col. Steele was with us on the ground and identified his
last position; he was standing near two oak saplings, which spring from the
same root, and remembers a musket ball striking one of them scarcely two
inches from his head, and knocking the bark into his eyes. These saplings he
succeeded in finding and from them readily located the Iowa 1st and Kansas
1st. These troops were under fire from Gen. Wakeman's battery, one of the
best commanded and most efficient in the rebel service. Judging from the
marks on the trees, he must have poured grape and round shot into our ranks
with tremendous fury. We passed down through the range of that battery, the
same ground taken by the Iowa 1st, and not a sapling but was cut off by
round shot and perforated by grape. To one inexperienced, the wonder is how
troops ever stood under such firing; it would seem as if every man must have
been shot. But our brave volunteers did stand under it most nobly, like
veterans. Gen. Wakeman was killed and his battery silenced. Then had they
only known it, so say the officers who were on the ground-they might have
gained a complete and glorious victory. If the regulars, 1st Iowa, and
Kansas 1st had been ordered to charge with the bayonet upon the rebels as
they retreated from the gorge, the rout would have been complete, and our
forces left in possession of the field-as it was both armies seem to have
retired at the same time and the battle was a drawn one. The spot was
pointed out where the heroic Lyon fell and the tree to whose root he was
carried to die. We saw the remains of Gen. Lyon's gray charger, and a cave
in which it is said the rebels cast 80 of their dead. Passing over this
recent field of carnage, seeing bits of uniforms here and there and bones of
men scattered among skeletons of horses, gave the more vivid idea of the
terrible reality of war than any of the written descriptions I have ever
seen. After satisfying our curiosity on the field of battle, we rode over to
the house occupied by Ben. McCullough as his headquarters. Near this house
and just on the bank of Wilson's Creek-a beautiful, retired spot-we saw
perhaps in hundred graves, where the rebels killed in the battle or died
from wounds had been buried. Some graves were marked by boards bearing the
name of the deceased, and among them we read the name of one Col. Brown. The
declining sun warned us that it was time to return, so we turned our horses
toward camp, a good ten miles distant, gratified and instructed by our day's
excursion. While encamped near Springfield, Gen. McKinstry was called to the
St. Louis Arsenal, and we were placed under command of Gen. Sturgis.

Retrograde Move-Leaving Springfield

 Saturdya, Nov. 9, we were ordered to march-which way we were not informed;
consequently there were conflicting opinions in camp, some affirming we were
to march south, others north. The matter was settled when the head of our
column turned toward Warsaw. Before we left camp we vuried, with suitable
religious service and the usual military honors, H. E. Hartwell, of Co. B.
He was the first of our men who died with his regiment. Our march back to
Sedalia was somewhat hurried. Some days we made 20 miles or more, and this,
for the ocndition of our regiment at that time was pretty hard. We managed
to press several teams into service, and by this means carried the boys
knapacks, and gave many of the weak ones a chance to ride. Thursday, Nov.
14, we camped 6 miles this side of Warsaw, and then and there, for the first
time since we left Syracuse, drew full rations. On the march up we buried
three men besides the one interred near Springfield. Poor fellows! All was
done for them which our limited means would permit, but the 'all' for a sick
and dying man on a rapid march is very little.

The Davenport Daily Gazette
January 30, 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.-

Jan 15--James Mason, Co. E, 12th Iowa.
 Henry D. Lynes, 3d Iowa Cavalry.
Jan. 19-Napoleon B. Henry, Co. D, 14th Iowa.
 Marshall Lazelle, Co. F, 12, Iowa.
Jan. 20-John H. Scott, Co. K, 2d Iowa Cavalry.
 John Sohn, Co. B, 12 Iowa.
 Thomas Jordan, Co. F., 11th Iowa.
Jan. 21-James M. Hughes, Co. A., 12th Iowa.
 Barney Clawson, Co. I., 2d Iowa.
 Ubl. Mather, Co. D., 12th Iowa.
 Thomas Brattain, Co. C. 2d Iowa.
Jan. 22-Hiram Halleckm, Co. E., 7th Iowa.
 James C. Taylor, Co. F., 2d Iowa Cavalry.
Jan. 23-Henry McDougal, Co. E., 7th Iowa.
 D. H. Sawin, Co. A., 12th Iowa.
 Lewis P. Mills, Co. K., 2d Iowa.
Jan. 24-Capt. C. C. Tupper, Co. G., 12 Iowa.
 Ira H. Phillips, Co. H., 12th Iowa.
 Jackson Jewell, Co. B., 2d Iowa Cavalry.
Jan. 25-George Mason, Co. E., 12th Iowa.
 John Eing, Co. F., Iowa Cavalry.

 While the 7th Iowa Regiment was on the way to Cairo, an assistant surgeon
was run over by the cars at Du Quoin Station, and died of his injuries last
Wednesday.

Submitted by: Elaine Rathmann