USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; Volume I > Part 30
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"The Saw-buck Rangers" of Des Moines, were the latest! The purpose was to provide soldiers' families with fuel.
General McClernand made official mention of Captain Harry Griffiths' bat- tery in the battle of Arkansas Post. The General presented the men with two rifled field pieces captured by them in the battle.
Lieutenant J. A. T. Hull (of future congressional fame) was in February promoted to the position made vacant by the resignation of Captain Gregg.
It was announced many months before, that Colonel Crocker had received his commission as Brigadier-General, but for some reason, not clear at the time, the commission did not arrive until late in January, '63.
Late in January, Surgeon S. V. Campbell of the Twenty-third Iowa, returned to Des Moines for recuperation. After five months of service, twenty-four of his regiment had died, eleven had been discharged and fifty-six were in the general hospital. Captain Studer of Company B, Fifteenth Iowa, also returned home, having resigned because of ill health.
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Dr. Alexander Shaw, now surgeon of the Fourth Infantry, wrote home in February, describing Vicksburg, the Gibraltar of America, declaring that "to besiege the town and attempt to starve out the inhabitants is sheer folly"-thus illustrating the historical fact that "the impossible" sometimes happens.
The funeral of John S. Davis occurred in Des Moines, February 17. At the time of his enlistment, Davis was in feeble health, and his mother tried to dis- suade him; but his answer was that Ephraim had gone and he was better able to stand hardship than his brother, concluding with "Mother, I must go." He served as hospital steward as long as he was able to stand. In an unfinished let- ter he wrote of his work, with the responsibility attending it, adding: "I do it cheerfully to help sustain the best government on earth."
Captain Dykeman of Company H, Sixteenth U. S. Infantry, came to Des Moines in February for a brief period of recuperation. The Captain, with his little company of forty men, was under fire four days at Murfreesboro, and twenty of his men were killed and wounded. The Captain was twice wounded.
Captain Houston of Company A, Twenty-third Iowa, came home early in March to bring the body of "Charlie" Hepburn, who died January I.
Mrs. Wittenmeyer, Iowa Sanitary Agent, writing from St. Louis February 25, tells Mrs. J. P. Foster, of the Des Moines society, of the use she intends to make of the fifty dollars sent her for the relief of Iowa soldiers at Helena and in front of Vicksburg.
War politics extended even into a school district election in East Des Moines March 16, and the war party won out, electing Dr. James Wright, [. sident ; WV. S. Bennett, vice president ; J. B. Hall, secretary ; Isaac Brandt, treasurer ; John R. Thomas, director.
Captain J. A. T. Hull, of the Twenty-third, made a flying visit from New Madrid to Des Moines, called home by the severe illness of his mother.
In the early spring, General Tuttle, at his own request, was relieved of his command at Cairo, and was assigned to active duty before Vicksburg.
Recruiting was renewed in Des Moines in March, with Lieutenant Ragan in charge at the Blodgett House.
Messrs. Turner and Norris were in April engaged in recruiting a home company for the Seventh Iowa Cavalry.
April 22, the Mississippi & Missouri Railroad was reported as having reached Malcom, Poweshiek county, fifty-five miles east of Des Moines.
Dr. Alexander Shaw of Des Moines, surgeon of the Fourth Iowa, a lifelong democrat, was at this time the writer of letters for publication scathingly severe in denunciation of "copperheads."
War politics entered into the municipal campaign in Des Moines in April. William H. Leas was nominated for mayor by the "Unconditional Unionists" of the city, and on the 4th of May, he was elected -- but only by a majority of 17. The Register's famous rooster crowed vociferously, announcing the result a "Great Union Victory."
Small as was the pay of the Union soldiers, there were not a few of their number who by self-denial were able to send home money. In the spring Captain Ensign and Captain Yerger sent to B. F. Allen's bank, money turned in by mem- bers of their respective companies. Dr. W. H. Ward received $1,000 from soldiers of Captain Randleman's company. These are but three instances of a prevailing fidelity to family and home which must ever remain the glory of the volunteer army of the Union.
Judge Cole was devoting the spring months to war speeches throughout Iowa. His former well-known democracy gave the Judge a large hearing.
On the evening of May 5, the boys celebrated the taking of Fredericksburg "and of Des Moines," 1 with huge bonfires at the corner of Fourth and Walnut. General Baker and Judge Nourse made eloquent open-air speeches. After the
1 A reference to the success of the "union" ticket in the then recent municipal election in Des Moines.
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BRIG .- GEN. JAMES M. TUTTLE
GEN. GRANVILLE M. DODGE
GEN. JAMES A. WILLIAMSON
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speech-making several hundred citizens marched to the home of the Mayor-elect, where speeches were made by Mayor Leas, and Messrs. Withrow, Cole and others.
The first quarter of the third year of the war slipped past, with its joys and woes, its hopes deferred and heart-rending anxieties. From many a heart and home in Des Moines went up continually the cry, "How long, O Lord, how long?"
The announcement one Monday morning in May (the 25th) that Vicksburg had fallen inspired the Register editor with a feeling of affluence, which for the time being made "Solomon in all his glory" seem to him "a gentleman of small means and limited wardrobe!" Not since the Donelson victory was such en- thusiasm manifest. Executive officers at the Capitol enthusiastically joined with townspeople in mutual congratulations. To the hopeful, the war was virtually over. To the less sanguine, the end was now in sight.
Dr. A. Y. Hull and his son, Capt. J. A. T. Hull of the 23d Iowa, returned from the front in June, the Captain with a severe flesh wound in his right leg, but expecting soon to join his regiment.
The death of Alfred M. Lyon, from a wound received before Vicksburg, was a shock to friends in Des Moines. Lyon was sutler for the Twenty-third Iowa; but, true to his word, in time of battle he "fought with the boys." His age had exempted him from military duty, but that did not bar him from emergency service. Lyon was one of the early settlers in Polk county, and highly esteemed.
A tribute of love and respect was, in June, paid General Crocker by the members of the IIth and 13th Iowa regiments,-a present of an elegant sword, with sash, saddle and trimmings.
One of the many notable republican conventions held at the State Capital was that of June 17, 1863. Governor Kirkwood had declined a third nomination, and the candidates for the succession were Gen. FitzHenry Warren and Elijah Sells, Secretary of State. The night preceding the convention, a "rally" was held with General Warren and Colonel William M. Stone the chief speakers. Warren was a fine speaker and his friends were confident his speech would en- sure his nomination on the following day. In the course of his remarks, he in- judiciously aired a personal grievance, berating General Halleck and the War Department, thus placing himself somewhat out of harmony with the Lincoln administration. Colonel Stone profited by the General's tactical mistake. When called out, he appeared on the platform in his officer's uniform, and with his arm in a sling,2 an embodiment of the Union soldier and of the northern spirit of loyalty to the administration. Paying feeling tribute to the Iowa soldiers at the front, and to their glorious deeds on many a battle-field, he continued with an eloquent eulogy of President Lincoln and a fervid tribute to the loyalty of Iowans to the Lincoln administration. The sharp contrast between the censure of Warren and the glowing loyalty of Stone strengthened the first impression in favor of the receptive candidate. Next morning, the friends of Secretary Sells, realizing that Stone was the only man who could beat Warren threw most of their strength to Stone. Even as it was, the nomination of Stone was not made until after several ineffectual ballots.
Des Moines celebrated the Fourth of July, in '63, with much of the old time spirit. . Families from all parts of the county assembled at the county fair grounds. Fully 5,000 were present. Colonel Williamson presided. Rev. Thomp- son Bird offered prayer. Captain Hull read the Declaration of Independence. Frank W. Palmer's oration abounded in the war-spirit of the hour. After dinner, the Allen township martial band called the audience together again. All sang "the Battle-cry of Freedom," led by a glee club. Responses to toasts was the order of the afternoon. Colonel Williamson was at his best, and was greeted
2 He had been slightly wounded before Vicksburg and was home on a furlough at the time.
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with rounds of applause. Other speakers were Thomas F. Withrow, J. F. Seely, W. H. F. Gurley, S. V. White and R. G. Orwig.
The democrats of the State assembled on the 8th of July, preceding their State convention with a procession and a mass meeting. Judge Napier was chief marshal of the procession, and about sixteen hundred democrats marched through the streets of the city. A mass convention was held at the county fair ground. Dennis A. Mahony, recently released from the Old Capitol Prison, made an impassioned speech, followed by Stilson Hutchins, M. D. McHenry and others. About six thousand people were reported in attendance. The conven- tion was called to order at 12, and, between times, speeches were made by Messrs. Finch, Byington, Duncombe, Hall and others. At the afternoon session, General Tuttle, whose friends had assured the convention that he would accept the nomination for Governor, was defeated, after a fierce contest, by Maturin L. Fisher. There was no little chagrin over the defeat of the General after his consent had been obtained. The declination of Fisher, afterwards, led to the selection of the defeated candidate, and General Tuttle found himself a central figure in another campaign scarcely less fierce than that through which he had just passed at Vicksburg.
Capt. D. M. Condit, late of Des Moines, died before Vicksburg on the 26th of July. The hard task of notifying the Captain's bereaved mother fell to Capt. J. M. Walker.
Colonel Grier, the Lieutenant Grier of old Fort Des Moines, made a brief visit at the Capital in August. He "found Des Moines very much improved in ap- pearance since he was stationed there some twenty years ago. A portion of the house he occupied then, he found standing, and also identified the graves of two children that he buried when there." He was still of the opinion that Des Moines was "one of the most promising points in the West."
On the 21st of July, following the fall of Vicksburg, the war democrats held a public meeting on the corner of Fourth street and Court avenue. Sheriff Grif- fith and John M. Finch, were the principal speakers.
The news of the surrender of Port Hudson reached Des Moines on the after- noon of the 22d of July. Though the patriotic had scarcely recovered from the excitement following the fall of Vicksburg, they joined in an impromptu cele- bration of the later event. A crowd assembled in front of the Savery House. A huge bonfire was blazing when, at 8 o'clock, Mayor Leas called the meeting to order. Eloquent speeches were made by Messrs. Nourse, White, Withrow, Rus- sell and Gurley. Messrs. Brand and Holmes sang patriotic songs, the audience joining heartily in the chorus. The East side martial band contributed its part to the jollification.
General Crocker, in a letter, denying all reports as to his declining health. wrote a Des Moines friend that at the time he was commanding one of the largest divisions, if not the largest, in the army, and adding: "I am on horseback from six to ten hours per day ; am not considered dead, by a long shot, by my com- mand."
In August, Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, State Sanitary Agent, writing Mrs. Foster from the front, acknowledged the receipt of $225 from the aid societies of Des Moines,-more than double the aggregate received at the same time from all other points in the State.
Six thoroughly equipped and well-mounted. companies of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, under Major H. H. Heath, were encamped in the middle of August on the prairie two miles east of Des Moines.
A republican mass convention was held at the State Capital on Saturday, Sep- tember 12. Even a heavy rain and bad roads could not deter some six thousand people from assembling at the fair ground. The meeting was called to order at II A. M. by General Samuel R. Curtis. Among the vice-presidents was "Tom" Mitchell of Polk. C. Ben Darwin, of Burlington, spoke for nearly two hours. After dinner, Senator Grimes delivered one of his ablest and most elo-
.
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quent speeches. Colonel William M. Stone followed, arousing much enthusiasm. In the evening, in front of the Savery Home, Senator Harlan made one of his powerful campaign speeches to an immense audience assembled in the street.
Other September items were these:
Colonel Hooker, of the Western Stage Company, received from the govern- ment an order to supply the Eighth Cavalry with 1,200 horses. Captain Bram- hall was recruiting in Des Moines for the Ninth Iowa Cavalry. General Dodge spent several days at the capital, his health "very feeble," but improving. A soldiers' festival at the Savery House netted $230.60.
Captain Robert H. Dewey, of the Twenty-third Iowa, arrived in Des Moines, October 13. He was badly wounded at Milliken's Bend, and was reported as dead. His brother Charles, adjutant, was also wounded in the same battle.
A Soldiers' Aid Convention was held in Des Moines in November, commenc- ing on the 18th. Societies cooperating with the Iowa Sanitary Commission, Loyal League and Soldiers' Christian Commission were represented by dele- gates. Its object was to render more efficient the efforts put forth for the relief of soldiers.
In November came the appointment of Lieut. Ed. Marsh to the Captaincy of Company D, Second Iowa, in place of Captain Ensign, promoted. Marsh was one of the original members of old Company D, in '61.
It was announced in December that Captain Hull had resigned his com- mission and returned to Des Moines. He was badly wounded at Black River Bridge.
Notwithstanding the war, Judge McClelland issued 109 marriage certificates in the eleven months of 1863 to December I.
The Cincinnati Gazette in December gave the sad particulars of the slaying of Will Tomlinson, long a prominent character in Des Moines. He was killed in an affray at Ripley, Ohio. A man named Mitchell shot him through the body. He lingered a day or two in great agony. He was buried with military honors, having been a militia captain of the Capital Guards, Des Moines, in 1859.
Capt. Harry Griffiths, of the First Iowa Battery, saw the old year out at home. He was in Des Moines, detailed on recruiting service.
The year closed as it began, with the same dread uncertainty as to the out- come of all this sacrifice of blood and treasure, and yet with the same persistency of purpose to carry the war to conclusions.
CHAPTER IV.
THE LAST FULL YEAR OF THE WAR-1864.
The assembling of a war legislature, the inauguration of a Governor in full sympathy with the retiring Governor's war policy, the reelection of a pronounced anti-slavery United States Senator in full sympathy with President Lincoln's war policy, and Governor Stone's reappointment of the resourceful Adjutant- General Baker, all together gave the citizens at the State capital the strongest possible assurance that, so far as Iowa could affect national policies, there would be no backward step.
Saturday evening, January 16, at the Savery House, personal friends pre- sented Governor Stone with a gold watch, Lieutenant-Governor Needham, Rep- resentative Finkbine, General Baker and others made congratulatory speeches, the under-current of which was a confidence in the will and ability of the new executive to carry to conclusions the war policy to which the state was committed.
Reinlistments were the order of the day during the month.
"Uncle Tommy" Elliott, an old resident of Des Moines, had five sons in the army and another son eager to go; and yet he himself decided to go!
Company D, Second Iowa, its ranks again depleted, by promotions, discharges and death, was again represented by a recruting officer in the Capital City.
The Ladies' Aid Society and the Loyal Women's League held frequent meet- ings for the furtherance of "the cause.'
Public receptions for the returning soldiers whose terms had expired were held in Des Moines and many cities roundabout.
Capt. Harry Griffiths, after four weeks spent in recruiting service, returned to the front January 26, having enlisted seventy men for his First Iowa Battery.
The Board of Control of the Iowa Sanitary Commission held a three-days' session in January, at its conclusion memorializing the legislature for fixed sums in aid of soldiers' families.
"Rally round the wood-pile" was the battle-cry of the reorganized "Saw- buck Rangers."
The month closed with the departure of several jolly coach-loads of recruits for Davenport and the South.
General Crocker, writing from Vicksburg, January 12, said he was doing picket duty for the army at Vicksburg, adding with a touch of grim irony, "selected for that purpose, I suppose, on account of my robust health." He adds that all the regiments of his old brigade have reënlisted. Asked what the soldiers think of the President's Emancipation Proclamation, he said-speaking of its provision for the final extinction of slavery ; "We will consent to no arrange-
ment that stops short of that." Speaking of the new negro regiments, he says "it is astonishing how completely all prejudice on that subject has been done away with." He says they make good soldiers and "fight as well as any troops."
February 2, Governor Stone, through Adjutant-General Baker, wired Presi- dent Lincoln: "I have just received your draft for 500,000 troops, after March IO. There will be no draft in Iowa. You shall have our quota without it."
Other February items are :
The return of W. A. Hunt, of Company E, Fourth Iowa, with his right arm gone,-the result of a wound received at Missionary Ridge.
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All that was left of Colonel Dodge's gallant Fourth Iowa, about 300 strong, after reënlisting in the veteran corps returned to Des Moines to report to the Governor, and enjoy a brief respite from military life.
Business in Des Moines continued to increase, notwithstanding the absorbing interest in the war. Court avenue and Walnut street were fast surpassing old Second avenue and neighboring streets as business streets.
Adjutant-General Baker's meager salary of $1,200 was tardily increased to '$2,000.
Company D of the first African regiment from Iowa, after a brief service in camp near Helena, reported the death of twelve men from Des Moines.
In March, recruiting actively continued. On the 5th, Captain Brownell sent off IIO recruits.
On the 8th, the Register rooster was out over the "Union" victory in the municipal election. Mayor Leas was reelected, but by only five majority.
On the 9th, the ladies of Des Moines gave the returned veterans of the Fourth Iowa a complimentary supper at the Savery House.1 Between two and three hundred had returned. Immediately after dinner they fell into line in Court House square and gave an exhibition drill. Thence they marched to Capitol square where, in the presence of a vast audience, Lieutenant Governor Eastman feelingly welcomed them home. Speaker Butler and General Baker also spoke. Colonel Williamson and Major Nichols responded for the regiment. In front of the Savery House they were eloquently addressed by Governor Stone. At the court house they were cordially received by Mayor Leas and the Council. The event of the day, the supper at the Savery, was one to gladden the hearts of the home-comers. F. W. Palmer, of the Register, on behalf of the ladies, extended the visitors a cordial welcome. Colonel Williamson-with a beautiful bouquet in hand-a present from the ladies-and Major Nichols gracefully responded. Toasts and responses and patriotic songs completed the program.
In the month of March, the Masons on the East and West side of the city and of the General Assembly, vied one with another in hospitality and it was difficult to tell who won in the friendly contest. The Masonic festival at the Savery on the 10th was graced by the presence of the ladies. Governor Stone, Lieut. Governor Eastman, General Baker and other prominent Masons made after-dinner speeches.
"The war" even found its way into the school election, as into the city elec- tion, and several of Des Moines' best citizens went down to defeat, charged with copperheadism !
On the 17th occurred the wedding of Miss Fannie Getchell, of Des Moines, and Lieut. George C. Tichenor,-one of the more prominent of the "war-wed- dings" of the period.
In a letter published March 23, General Crocker wrote Marshal Hoxie again insisting that he was not dead, persistent reports to the contrary notwithstanding. He added : "I have no intention to give up the ghost without a struggle." He declared his health was much improved.
Coach-loads of recruits continued to leave Des Moines for Davenport and the front.
On the 3Ist of March, Capt. Fred S. Whiting, of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and Miss Annie S. Rommel of Des Moines, were married.
Mrs. Crocker returned from Vicksburg late in April reporting her husband "still good for any number of vigorous years."
The resignation of Lieut. Col. H. R. Cowles, in April, called forth resolutions by the officers of the regiment expressing their deep regret and keen appreciation, after three years' intimate association in camp, and commending the Colonel's bravery in battle and courage in enduring the hardships of campaign life.
A rivalry between Des Moines and Council Bluffs for emigrant trade brings
1 Committee : Mesdames F. R. West, W. D. Wilson, E. F. Hooker, F. W. Carpenter, A. T. Johnson and S. R. Ingham.
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out a comparison in prices, greatly in favor of the Capital City. It is interesting to note, in passing, the ruling prices in Des Moines in April, '64 :
Wheat flour, per cwt.,.
$2.50 to $3.50 I.20
Corn meal, per cwt.,
Corn, per bushel,
·35 to .45
Oats, per bushel,
·35 to .45
Potatoes, per bushel
.80 to 1.00
Lard, per pound, .IO to .121/2
Coffee, per pound,
·43 to .50
Sugar, per pound,
.18 to
.25
The Last Great Uprising.
April 23, 1864, Governor Stone issued a call for ten regiments of hundred- day men, to fulfill his promise to President Lincoln, the entire body of troops to be raised within twenty days if possible. The call was answered with en- thusiasm from all parts of the State. But so many were already in the service that enlistments lagged somewhat, and Des Moines, with other localities, now thoroughly aroused, put forth herculean efforts to meet the new demand upon its reserves.
The Loyal Women's League and the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society held fre- quent meetings. Gen. William Duane Wilson made immediate application for authority to recruit volunteers, meantime unofficially receiving names for future enlistment. A war meeting was held at the courthouse on the 29th. The hall was crowded. Mayor Leas presided and Simon Barrows acted as secretary. Stirring speeches were made by Hon. C. C. Nourse and Captain George J. North, military secretary of the governor. A committee of citizens, five on the West side and two on the East, was named to further enlistments. The chair appointed Captain North, General Wilson, R. G. Orwig, C. C. Nourse, B. T. Jones, Isaac Brandt and Dr. James Wright. Mr. Orwig was compelled to de- cline and J. B. Bausman was substituted.
Hon. Oran Faville was added to the East side representation. Captain North opened a recruiting office, with R. G. Orwig on the West side. J. B. Bausman opened another in the Savery block, the room having been furnished for the purpose by Mr. Savery.
On May 12, appeared a card signed. by eighteen of the leading employers of Des Moines agreeing to give full consent to all employes who would enlist for the hundred days,-and that "without destroying any contract" with them, and agreeing to regard their places as vacant, to be resumed by them on their return.2 Several enlistments immediately followed the publication of this card.
A second war meeting was held on the evening of May 13, in front of the Savery House. Eloquent addresses were delivered by Judge Cole, Governor Stone, Captain North, and Messrs. Withrow, Vale and Etheridge.
A paper was presented for signatures to create a fund to be paid the fami- lies of those who enlisted in the Des Moines company,-the sum to be paid each family being $50, provided the subscriptions would warrant that amount. Over $10,000 was subscribed then and there.3
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