of
Muscatine County Iowa
1879
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1879 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Historical Section, 1879, pages 454-461
MUSCATINE COUNTY DURING THE WAR. The honor of writing the history of Muscatine County from 1861 to the close of the war should fall to the lot of one of those brave men who participated in the scenes of those days. The value of the history will depend upon the exhaustiveness of the work undertaken. In such cases, details form the chief interest, and no one is able to furnish those except the men who helped to perform the acts. We offer this suggestion: Let some one who has a knowledge of the events compile them before it is too late. As time rolls on, the difficulties of doing so desirable a labor will be increased, and speedy preparations should be made to preserve the grand record of the county from oblivion. It is true that the history of the regiments is saved in the Adjutant General's Reports, and many sketches have been written concerning life in the field; but we refer now not so much to the history of the regiments as to the history of the people who inspired the formation of those regiments. Let some one who can write the story of the heroism of fathers, mothers, sisters and wives--that vast host of loyal men and women who said, "Go; and may God protect you and our nation!"--tell of the devotion of the women, who, while their hearts were bleeding, smiled a farewell, lest the soldiers be disheartened! Tell of the long weeks of anguish which followed the departure of the loved ones; write of the deeds of bravery that have never been told. The soldier who sleeps beneath the Southern sod, in an unknown grave, deserves the plaudits of his fellow-men; and does not the grief-stricken widow merit a share in the volume of praise?
The youth, who so readily accepted the trust of defending the nation from its foe, learned the meaning of patriotism from the history of the Revolution. The artist's pencil, the poet's pen, the historian's glowing words, portrayed to his mind the duties of an American. Shall we not, then, expect the future strength of loyal men to grow by feeding upon the record of patriotism during the days of the rebellion?
The people of Muscatine are worthy of especial praise. Dwelling almost upon the border of a Slave State, and holding daily intercourse with those who maintained the righteousness of slavery, they naturally imbibed the sentiments peculiar to the South on that grave subject. But when the stroke was made which aimed the dagger at the nation's heart, there was no wavering between two opinions. The Union must be preserved, even if slavery perished in the attempt to perpetuate the nation. When the war was forced upon the country, the people were quietly pursuing the even tenor of their ways, doing whatever their hands found to do--working the mines, making farms or cultivating those already made, erecting houses, founding cities and towns, building shops and manufactories--in short, the country was alive with industry and hopes for the future. The people were just recovering from the depression and losses incident to the financial panic of 1857. The future looked bright and promising, and the industrious and patriotic sons and daughters of the Free States were buoyant with hope, looking forward to the perfecting of new plans for the insurement of comfort and competence in their declining years; they little heeded the mutterings and threatenings of treason's children in the Slave States of the South. True sons and descendants of the heroes of the "times that tried men's souls"--the struggle for American Independence--they never dreamed that there was even one so base as to dare attempt the destruction of the Union of their fathers--a government baptized with the best blood the world ever knew. While immediately surrounded with peace and tranquillity, they paid but little attention to the rumored plots and plans of those who lived and grew rich from the sweat and toil, blood and flesh of others--aye, even trafficking in the off- spring of their own loins. Nevertheless, the war came, with all its attendant horrors.
April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter, at Charleston, South Carolina, Maj. Anderson, U. S. A., Commandant, was fired on by rebels in arms. Although basest treason, this first act in the bloody reality that followed, was looked upon as the mere bravado of a few hot-heads--the act of a few fire-eaters whose sectional bias and hatred were crazed by the excessive indulgence in intoxicating potations. When, a day later, the news was borne along the telegraph wires that Maj. Anderson had been forced to surrender to what had first been regarded as a drunken mob, the patriotic people of the North were startled from their dreams of the future, from undertakings half completed, and made to realize that behind that mob there was a dark, deep and well-organized purpose to destroy the Government, rend the Union in twain, and out of its ruins erect a slave oligarchy, wherein no one should dare to question their right to hold in bondage the sons and daughters of men whose skins were black, or who, perchance, through practices of lustful natures, were half or quarter removed from the color that God, for His own purposes, had given them. But they "reckoned without their host." Their dreams of the future, their plans for the establishment of an independent confederacy, were doomed from their inception to sad and bitter disappointment.
When the Southern rebels fired upon Fort Sumter, they found this vast North unarmed, untrained in the art of war, and in a state of such profound peace as to warrant the belief that hostilities could not be begun by those who had, since the foundation of this Union, boasted loudly of their loyalty to the Constitution of the United States. The rumors of disaffection that had alarmed the more watchful had aroused but trifling fears in the breasts of the great mass of Northern citizens. War between the States had, prior to that time, been deemed an impossibility. The sentiments of fraternal unity were so deep-abiding in the hearts of the North that treason was regarded as an improbable crime, and overt acts of antagonism to the Government too base in their intent to be worthy of serious consideration.
But the hand of the aged Ruffin, as he laid the blazing torch upon the gun within Stevens' battery, lighted a flame which spread throughout the land with electric rapidity, and illumined the nation with a glare that revealed the truth of rebel threats. The boom of the first gun awakened the passive people to the dread reality of their position, From Maine to Oregon, from Superior to the Ohio, the country arose, as with a single impulse, to respond to the demands of the hour. There was no need of prompting them, no need of canvassing for strength, no hesitating as to measures, no thought of compromise. But one course could be pursued, and that the people comprehended as though inspired by some higher mentor. The Union must be preserved. Each individual member of society felt the urgent necessity of prompt and concerted action. Towns did not wait to hear tidings from sister-towns; each heard in the roar of brave old Sumter's guns a summons direct, imperative and irresistible, for aid in the defense of the nation's honor. Rivals in business and in politics grasped each other's hands and hurried forth, side by side, rivals no longer, save in their eagerness to enroll first their names upon the list of citizen soldiery.
Almost simultaneous with the news of the attack upon Sumter came the call from President Lincoln for troops. In the remote towns and rural localities, where telegraphic communication had not then penetrated, the appeal and the response were recorded at the same time.
On the 15th of April, the President issued his call for 75,000 ninety-days troops. The State of Iowa was particularly fortunate in having for itS Chief Executive Samuel J. Kirkwood, whose loyalty and unceasing devotion to the cause of the Union have embalmed his name forever in the annals of the State. Within thirty days after the President's demand was made public, Iowa had a regiment in the field.
If it was within the province of this work to relate the story of Muscatine's loyalty, the limits of this volume would be extended far beyond those anticipated by the publishers. Some future historian, we have no doubt, will find a fruitful topic in this record of war, and lay before the people of this county a narrative of unsurpassed interest. Surely the opportunity exists and awaits the patient labors of a competent writer.
In another portion of this volume is given an outline sketch of the operations of the regiments which represented this county.
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. A public meeting was held in Muscatine, March 21, 1866, to consider what steps were necessary to raise a fund for the erection of a monument to the memory of the fallen heroes, who left their homes in this county, and joined the Union army, and whose lives were sacrificed in the great struggle. In September, 1867, articles of incorporation were decided upon, and a Soldiers' Monument Association was formed, with Thomas Hanna, President; J. E. Robb, Vice President; John Mahin, Secretary, and A. F. Demorest, Treasurer. From that time on, various methods of raising money were resorted to, until 1874, at which time W. W. Webster proposed to take the sum then in the treasury, amounting to about $700, and secure enough in addition to complete a monument, depending upon his own exertions for subscriptions and collections. W. B. Sprague designed the work and superintended its execution, performing much of the labor himself. The monument stands to-day an evidence of the artistic skill of the designer.
The monument consists of a massive pyramidal base of four steps, the pedestal or die, the shaft and the statue. Upon a solid foundation of masonry, 10 feet square by 5 1/2 feet deep, weighing thirty-four tons, the imposing structure stands. The base is composed of three blocks of limestone and one of marble. On the front of the upper block is carved a shield, upon which is inscribed the legend, "1861--Muscatine County. To her fallen sons--1865." The die of the pedestal is a marble cube, three feet and four inches in size, with an ornate Grecian cap, showing heavy arched moldings on all sides. On the front in bold relief and very handsomely carved, is a coat of arms, with shield, draped flag, spears and guns. Surmounting this is a laurel wreath. Upon this die and upper base piece are inscribed nearly or quite five hundred names, as are shown hereafter. From the die springs a graceful fluted column. At a height of eleven feet it terminates in a coronal of stars, the emblematic thirteen, and a Grecian cap ornamented with leaves. Upon this shaft rests the grand crowning piece of the monument--the statue of the American volunteer, six feet two inches in height, representing a soldier in full uniform, with gun before him, at "parade-rest." The monument weighs thirty tons. The actual cost of the work was about $6,000, but the moment surpasses in excellence many which have cost twice or three times that amount. It was constructed upon the broad basis of patriotic pride and not from sordid desires.
Herewith is given a list of the names carved upon the die:
First Infantry---S. Norman, A. L. Mason, J. Wiley, W. G. Eckles, G. McGinnes, C. Michenor, T. J. Buchanan
Fifth Infantry--- T. C. Wales
Seventh Infantry---W. W. DeHues, W. Wells, D. Welker, J. F. Hardy, C. S. Booth, C. Mahin, J. Dill, J. Tate, J. Henley, A. Truitt, H. Barker, F. Pitchforth, J. Brunting, J. Zaser. H. Borgers, J. Werst, D. B. Underwood, L. Cunningham, J. Hunt, J. K. Holmes, E. Mills, L. Pallat, J. Cochran, J. Doder, W. D. Kenedy, B. F. McGill, C. Stratton, J. Schuller, J. H. Wales, J. Shelley
Eight Infantry---P. Smith, W. R. Stotler, J. Walker, H. Barcus
Eleventh Infantry---J. W. C. Burrell, E. E. Sparks, D. H. Collins, J. A. Robinson, J. G. Fisher, W. A. Akens, P. Gissne, P. Fox, J. Geodocke, G. P. Kingsland, H. Vanhessle, J. W. Wilson, H. Benedict, F. M. Stretch, M. Feldmann, G. W. Cakendar, J. Guttka, C. Biers, M. Shellabarger, W. H. Meeks, N. Fay, M. Reyburen, T. Kerr, D. Taylor, T. W. Corwin, A. Port, S. Bailey, S. V. Krouse, D. B. Spillman, H. Liebert, T. J. Corey, P. Caven, W. Leverich, W. White, R. R. McReed, R. W. Vaun, S. Cambell, A. A. Bradford, A. Thorn, E. McDonald, W. G. Rogers, T. Hurnicutt, R. Curtin, J. H. Gregory, A. Rancipher, B. Spangler, R. Brook, S. Webb, S. A. Jackson, W. E. Mikesell, D. Coleman, G. W. Hawk, J. Insley, H. T. Prouty, H. Windrel, H. C. Ady, W. W. Evans, W. A. Gordon, H. M. White, C. G. Schenck, W. E. Budd, D. Taylor, H. Hyink, C. J. Fitchner, W. A. Hawley, F. H. Newell, J. L. Small, W. Robinson, J. F. Rubart, C. Sybrits, J. B. Sullivan, J. Williams, G. Clinton, J. Baxter, H. Vanater, C. Booten, B. S. Purinton, N. W. Wolf, E. Briggs, J. Brown, D. Grant, J. Leach, W. J. Etherton, O. McGrew, A. Williams, H. Hazelton, G. Daniels, W. Pittensbarger, M. Reyburn, Z. Beall, A. Fish, J. M. Jarrett, R. M. Curdy, J. Galvin, R. Garland, J. Kester, T. McKeough, J. W. Tice, R. B. Hare, J. Ludlow.
Fourteenth Infantry--- T. B. Nicholas
Sixteenth Infantry--- H. H. Washburn, N. Reed, T. Purcell, J. Dill, F. Dow, J. H. Howell, P. Hettinger, G. Bradford, M. O. Hallock, O. Mattison, A. Drake, J. Davis, J. Esterline, J. Freybarger, J. Embree, N. D. Younkin, A. H. C. Gottbrecht, W. Weaver, N. Reed
Seventeenth Infant--- A. G. Fisher
Eighteenth Infantry---O. T. Stewart, J. G. Pratt, E. Hargraves, A. Heaton, W. Eberling, J. Stanley
Twentieth Infantry---A. Lindsley, B. Mills, T. Clemmons
Twenty-seventh Infantry---A. Edwards, C. Lindsley, B. Miller, J. Sissell
Thirty-fifth Infantry--- Col. S. G. Hill, Maj. A. John, W. A. Clepper, C. Leary, E. Henet, F. Reed, J. Grossman, J. Temple, F. Harker, C. Hirschmann, J. A. Kyrk, H. Blanck, W. S. Chambers, D. Tice, J. Tice, L. Dawson, I. Criner, J. Dill, J. Cargill, P. Harrison, T. Holliday, W. Everett, W. White, J. Strahorn, J. Longthern, T. Jester, E. jester, J. Reeves, M. Etherton, J. Ramsey, L. Chappell, J. Carter, A. Davis, D. Block, F. Bowers, C. Mockmore, J. Chauidoin, W. Christ, F. Cork, J. Foster, W. Holmes, J. Joice, G. Kruaff, W. McCurdy, S. Davis, W. Brown, W. Brady, N. Blackstone, A. Wohlgevant, G. Brownawell, S. Holmes, J. Springer, C. N. Burr, J. W. Beard, L. Hurst, W. Pickering, G. Moore, C. Narbaugh, A. Stoddard, N. Thomas, G. Pickering, B. Stamford, F. Wooden, H. Phelps, G. P. Ruger, C. Thomas, G. Burmeister, G. Wonderlich, G. Leutzbauch, J. Schlegelmilch, H. Richenberg, C. Knoblauch, C. Doefler, C. Barr, H. Irwin, F. Peterkin, C. Berg, L. Sanelsberg, J. Kurtz, J. Hessler, J. Hanley, S. Knouse, W. Herwig, F. Schmoker, W. Dimick, C. Wright, C. Poole, C. Tyler, P. Nichols, J. Prouty, D. Hammer, A. Walder, H. Winning, S. Tschillard, N. Schaffetzel, M. Smith, P. Parsons, M. Maher, J. Greenwood, F. Hill, J. Johnson, C. Hawkins, W. Guild, G. Groters, G. Bischer, W. Biebush, J. Q. Adams, W. White, G. Redman, R. Manmvel, J. Dobsen, P. Courtney, T. Cook, J. Connerford, R. Carpenter, S. Kennan, J. Welch, G. Dickson, E. Doran, P. Slattery, W. Fanning., G. B. Hjill, J. H. Graham, J. Regenbogen, ,J. Ernst, F. Holtz, H. Schmidt, G. Hill, S. Robshaw, J. C. Edgerton, T. A. Clark, C. C. Clark,, E. J. Douglass, M. Cooper, M. T. Neff, W. L. Overman, G. A. Palmer, T. B. Worral, L. Nitzell, J. Huler, P. Boston, P. D. Patterson, J. B. Welch, O. G. Mathews, F. Peterke, C. Berg, L. Savelsberg, J. McElroy, J. Mcdonald, J. alexander, P. Mylot, G. Robshaw, G. Lang, J. Dunn, J. Walton, M. J. Chown, W. townsley, C. Gore, J. McCoy, W. Bonham, I. Edgington, D. Edgington, F. Epperly, T. Epperly, W. Fitzsimmons, H. Hitchcock, J. Bumgardner, F. McDaniels, T. Brown, A. S. Lord, L. Wallingsford, A. Long, H. Sweeney, L. Ware, R. W. Escha, L. Wagner, I. McCartney, C. Parish, W. Ponbeck, E. Stearns, S. Parkhurst, G. Hunt, D. Wilgus, T. Williams, D. Currie, J. Norton, W. D. Conn, J. Evans, J. Lee, A. Lee, P. Reed, H. Devore, B. F. Linnville, R. Miller, J. Crawford, W. H. Hackett, T. Hempfill
Thirty-seventh Infantry---H. Mockmore, J. Tannehill, W. K. Tyler, D. Lefever, T. Craig, H. B. Brannan, A. Edwards, V. Darland
Second Cavalry---W. Wiggins, J. Toren, J. Schmeltzer, J. Schiller, J. Hodges, L. C. Loomis, L. H. Waterman, N. F. Avery, L. Avery, G. Brown, J. M. Terry, R. Hutcheson, G. D. Graves, I. R. Dunn, J. Wallingsford, E. Brown, J. Hancok, M. Lee, A. Opel, J. Simpson, P. Smith, G. Ridgeway, A. Cradock, C. Neuberner, G. W. Heinly, J. Coble, I. I. Berner, I. Norris, I. M. Smith, J. Thompson, J. W. Vanderwort, H. Wigham, J. P. Dunn, G. Darland
Third Calvary---F. G. Whittaker
Eighth Calvary---L. Loomis, J. Horton, R. Cunningham, W. C. Vail
Ninth Cavalry---D. T. Watkins, L. Nietzel, J. Rigenbogen, J. Huler, P. Poston, P. D. Patterson, N. Cooper
Regiments Unknown--- J. Jacks, S. Jackson, W. H. Champman, B. Lyons, C. Nichols, N. Rhienhart, F. Finn, T. W. Adams, G. W. Sissel, W. R. Aikens, J. Clark
2nd Ohio Infantry---H. M. Pigman
Fourth Ohio Infantry---J. Brookes
The monument was formally unveiled and impressively dedicated July 4, 1875. The war-Governor, Samuel J. Kirkwood, delivered a fitting oration; civic and military displays were made in honor of the occasion, and the observances were commensurate with the importance of the hour and the event.
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