USA > Iowa > Benton County > History of Benton County, Iowa. From materials in the public archives, the Iowa Historical society's collection, the newspapers, and data of personal interviews > Part 21
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
COMPANY H (BENTON COUNTY).
Captain Jeptha M. Van Metre, e. as sergeant September 22, 1862, prmtd. comy. sergeant, then captain July 13, 1865.
Sergeant Wm. W. Davis, e. September 15, 1862, kld. Septem- ber 3, 1863, at White Stone Ilill, D. T.
Farrier, A. Merchant, e. September 15, 1862.
Farrier, J. W. Davis, e. September 24, 1862.
Conley, Wm., e. September 22, 1862.
Dummett, W. H., e. September 24, 1862.
Dummett, W. K., e September 26, 1862, kld. at battle of White Stone Hill, D. T.
Stickney, Julius, e. October 10, 1862.
COMPANY I (BENTON COUNTY).
Corporal Milo N. Higgins, e. September 24, 1862, died at White Stone Hill, D. T., September 4, 1862, wds.
COMPANY K ( BENTON COUNTY)
Johnson, Lantz, e. October 31. 1862. Harper, D. C., e. October 31, 1862.
SEVENTH CAVALRY.
This regiment was organized at "Camp Hendershott. " Daven- port, in the summer of 1863, and ordered to duty against the Indians in Nebraska. Dakota, Colorado and Kansas. Portions of the regiment were engaged in the battles of White Stone nill. Talkahokutah, Bad Lands. Little Blue Julesburg, Mind Spring. Rush Creek. Horse Creek, Cow Creek. and other engagements, in which the brave Iowa boys fought gallantly. The battle of Jules- burg. Colorado, was fought by Company F. under Captain O'Brien. The Indians in large munbers had attacked a train. Captain O'Brien marched to its assistance, and the battle continued during the day. The company lost thriteen killed. and the Indians lost fifty-five. The regiment remained on the plains fighting the Indians until 1866.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
COMPANY G ( BENTON COUNTY).
Arlist, A. S., e. May 25, 1863.
Cotton, Isaac. e. May 10, 1863.
Collicott. Seth. e. June 1, 1863. Jemerson. D. M .. e. May 25, 1863. McGuire, D. M., e. May 25, 1863.
Meeker. Thaddeus, e. June 1, 1863.
Randall, John, e. May 25, 1863. Underwood, J. N., e. June 1, 1863.
COMPANY H (BENTON COUNTY).
Captain John H. Brooks. com. July 13, 1863, dismissed Jabu- ary 7, 1864.
Second Lieutenant E. M. Hutchings, e. sergeant, prmtd. second Jientenant July 10, 1864.
Alair, H. A., e. June 10, 1863, died at Fort Kearney. January 26. 1864.
Bowen, J. W., e. May 10. 1863, kld. at Smoky Hill Crossing. Kansas, by Indians, August 16, 1864.
Burke, Thomas, e. June 12. 1863, deserted July 15, 1863.
Henderson, George, e. May 25. 1863. Jones, R. E., e. May 10, 1863.
Pitts, W. H., e. May 10, 1863.
Shoemaker, James. e. May 10. 1863. Stewart. William, e. May 10. 1863.
Taylor. Chesley. e. June 16, 1863.
NINTH CAVALRY.
This regiment. Colonel Matthew M. Trumbull, was the last of the three regiments recruited in Iowa. It was organized at Daven-
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
port, November 30, 1863, and ordered to Arkansas, where it re- mained performing heavy scouting and garrison duty until the close of the war.
COMPANY C (BENTON COUNTY).
Sergeant Edward McGuire, e. July 29, 1863.
Corporal Jacob J. Sanders, e. August 29, 1863.
Teamster Peter B. Greenlee, e. June 25, 1863, died at Vinton, October 23, 1864.
Trumpeter J. L. Moore, e. June 25, 1863.
Bruce, C. L., e. August 10, 1863.
Brown, Huston, e. September 5, 1863.
.
Durand, F., e. July 25, 1863, died March 26, 1864 at St. Louis.
Harris, B. F., e. July 4. 1863.
Kennedy, C., e. August S. 1863.
Mather, J. W .. e. July 2, 1863.
Shaul. A. E .. e. August 8, 1863.
Steece, William. e. August 2, 1863, died January 15, 1865, at Alton, Ill.
Urny, E. M., e. July 13, 1863, disd. April 26, 1864.
Young, W. T., e. July 7, 1863.
UNION SUPPORT AT HOME.
While the men from Benton county were valiantly contending on the field of battle. they had the comforting assurance that their families, as well as the supporters of households, were being pro- vided for by patriotic citizens whose circumstances made it im- possible for them to participate in military operations. This remark is true as a whole, but that there were exceptions is evident from the following indignant editorial published in the Vinion Eagle of October 3. 1861 :
"But of all the accursed meanness extant. that of advising the
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
poor, sickly wife of one of the volunteers to take in washing for the support of herself and children, while her husband, her only sup- port in this life, is off like a true man, exposing his life for the general cause, caps the climax. The next meanest act is that of doling out a few pounds of flour to a half-starved woman with a large family, and at the same time, warning her to be as saving of it as possible. Bah! it makes us fairly sick to have to write about such littleness of soul. Of what avail is it to observe a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer, to the end that the Almighty will shower down plentiful blessings upon us as a community, unless a stop is put to the daily fasting that is going on in our midst ? It will not require a great deal of searching to find volunteers' fam- ilies who are destitute of almost everything but flour, and who have but precious little of that. We do not purpose to specify families. It is for such as we have last designated to look them up and relieve their wants."
In October. 1861, the Ladies Aid Society was organized in Vinton, and throughout the entire period of the Civil war the wives, mothers, sisters and sweethearts labored night and day for the relief of their absent ones. The county board of supervisors was also energetic and thoughtful in providing all possible encourage- ment to would-be volunteers and extending aid to those union fam- ilies which had been bereaved of their support and were in need of assistance. In August. 1862, at a special meeting of that body. a bounty of fifteen dollars was voted to be paid to each private and non-commissioned officer of two volunteer companies, and in Janu- ary. 1863, the board also voted to extend aid to the families, espec- ially to wives and mothers who were solely dependent on soldiers for their support. Other bounties were favored by the supervisors before the conclusion of the war, one of the last being one hundred dollars voted to each volunteer or draftsman who should agree to serve until the cessation of hostilities.
SUMMARY OF WAR MATTERS.
One of the best summaries of Civil war affairs, as relates to Benton county, was written several years ago by Professor T. F. Tobin, of the Tilford Collegiate Academy, and is here re-published : "Benton county may well be proud of its carly settlers, of its growth, of its splendid farms. of its institutions, but the great glory of Benton is the patriotism it manifested during the dark days of our nation's history from '61 to '65. Hardly had the rebel
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
guns that poured their storm of iron hail upon Sumter's walls ceased to echo over the land, when a war meeting was called at Vinton. This was April 19, 1861. John Shane was president of the meeting and W. W. Hanford secretary. . Resolutions were adopted to raise a company in Benton county and on Saturday the 20th. a recruiting office was opened in the law office of Connell & Vanatta. Among the first to enlist were W. C. Connell, J. S. Hunt, W. T. Pickerell, M. Thompson, W. A. Walker, John Dempsey, and Edwin Jenks. Tom Drummond took the stage for Cedar Rapids immediately upon hearing of the firing upon Sumter and proceeded directly to Washington and entered the regular army as second lieutenant of the Fifth Cavalry.
"On May 30, the ladies of Benton county formed an organiza- tion for the purpose of preparing lint and bandages for the soldiers. There were many enthusiastic Union rallies in Benton county. but it would require a volume to do them justice. About May 1 a meeting was held at Parker's Grove, of which C. P. Neal was presi- dent and J. L. Budd, secretary. All through the county patriot- isi was aflame and Benton's loyal sons stepped nobly to the front to volunteer their services for the Union cause. On the morning of July 9, the company which had been enlisted marched across the river at. Vinton, where on the other side wagons were waiting to convey them to Independence. Thence they went by rail to Dubuque and down the river by boat to Burlington and there they became Company G, Fifth Iowa Volunteers. On August 3 the Harrison Rangers. Captain Geddes, paraded the streets of Vinton and were ordered to Davenport, where they became Company D), Eighth Jowa Volunteers. In September a cavalry company was organized, with John Shane as captain. James H. Shutts, first lientenant, and Wit. A. Walker, second lieutenant. They were known as the Benton Guards and on October 15 left Vinton for Davenport-Camp MeClellan-and became Company G, Thirteenth Iowa. I cannot give more than a mere outline of the different companies that went out from Benton county but you will be able to see that it is a record to be proud of.
"Eighth Infantry-Companies B. D. F. and C.
"Fifth Infantry-Company C.
"Fifth Veteran Cavalry-Company I.
"Twelfth Infantry-Company D.
"Sixth Cavalry-Companies H. I and K.
"Thirteenth Infantry-Companies E and C.
"Seventh Cavalry -- Companies C and II.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
"Eighteenth Infantry-Company Il.
"Ninth Cavalry-Company C.
"Twenty-eighth Infantry-Companies A, C and D.
"Fortieth Infantry-Company K.
"Forty-seventh Infantry-Companies C and K.
"Besides these there were 21 other regiments that Benton county men enlisted in and, if I am correct in my figures, Benton county sent out 900 men as a tribute to patriotism for the old flag. I wish I could give the complete roster of the heroic boys in blue that went out from Benton county during 'those days that tried men's souls.' I see many of them before me today and old Benton is proud of their achievements and her greatest glory in the future ought to be to show in every possible mauer her appreciation of this noble remnant of that Grand Army, whose unexampled patriot- ism, unwavering fortitude, and surpassing valor made it possible for us to enjoy the blessings of the peerless nation we call our own. God bless the old soldier and may roses strew his pathway as he marches onward to the last bugle call.
"But when the boys returned in '65, bringing back the flags you presented them with four years before, torn and stained with shot and shell and wearied marches. yet crowned with glories of victory -- there were some that did not return with them-some are sleeping the last long sleep under the southern skies. Some of them went down beneath that hell of fire in the hornet's nest at Shiloh, where so many of the Iowa troops bravely held back the advancing rebel rank and saved the day. Some fell in that heroic charge up Lookout Mountain. Some laid down the burdens of a soldier's life on the Red river and some sank asleep amidst the dreadful horrors of Andersonville and Libby, but they died as Union soldiers and Benton county will never forget their noble deeds nor their heroic deaths.
"On Fame's eternal camping ground. Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards with solemn round. The bivouac of the dead."
GRAND CELEBRATION, JULY 4, 1861.
Thursday, July 4. 1861. was celebrated by the people of Benton county at Vinton. and the occasion was one of those memorable incidents of county history that may not be overlooked. The great rebellion had just raised the rattlesnake flag. The first in-
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
stallment of Benton county volunteers were preparing to leave for the seat of war. The patriotie heart of Benton connty was all ablaze with patriotism and determination to maintain the honor of the Stars and Stripes at all hazards. An. immense concourse gathered from all directions. Men. women and children came in carriages, carts. on horseback and on foot. Never before had Vinton seen such a crowd. Every township in the county was represented, and Vinton was literally packed with Imman beings. horses and carriages.
The officers of the day were as follows: President. S. P. Vanatta : vice presidents. H. D. Gay. S. Il. Watson, R. Gilchrist. Vinton : James Rea, Benton : H. S. Bailey. Big Grove; W. C. Smith. Ilomer: David Robb. Canton: Geo. MeCoy. Harrison: Isaac N. Chenoweth. Eden : J. C. Kinsell. Polk; George Fawcett, Fremont : G. W. Dnrand, Cedar; S. Miskinin. Monroe : William Helm, Jack- son ; chief marshal, A. H. Severn ; assistant marshals. W. C. Gaston. J. IT. Shields : Chaplain. Rev. A. Chapin.
The procession, which extended about a mile, was formed in front of the public square and marched to the grove, where the exercises of the day commenced with singing by the choir and prayer by the chaplain, followed by an address by the president of the day, and reading of the Declaration of Independence by Bnren R. Sherman. A feature of the occasion was the administra- tion of the oath of allegiance to the assembled multitude by James Chapin. each person repeating his or her own name and repeating after him the oath, which was as follows:
"I do solemnly swear. in the presence of Almighty God. that I will true faith and loyalty bear to the government of the United States and the constitution thereof."
The day and the time rendered this ceremony peculiarly sol- emm and impressive. Rebels were in arms to destroy the nation, the birthday of which they were met to celebrate. Two companies of volunteers-the Benton County Volunteers, Captain J. S. Hunt. and the Harrison Rangers, Captain Geddes -- were present in uni- form and were soon to march to the defense of the Union; and as the united voices of the assembled multitude repeated the solemn oath, every heart was thrilled with patriotic pride and devotion.
After the pienie dinner, au able and eloquent patriotic oration was delivered by Hon. T. W. Jackson. of Toledo. After reviewing the terrible situation and the efforts of rebel hands to destroy the government. the orator uttered the following prophetic words:
"But this Union will live. The old Ship of State will outride
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
the billows. God's hand is at the hehn; his breath is in the storm. When I survey my country today, I confess I would despair did I not know that we are under the guidance of Him who doeth all things well. Behind the dark clouds now. hovering so ominously over us. I can detect the smiling face of Him who has ever been the director of nations and of men. The signs of the times are redo- lent with promise. Feel the beating pulse of the nation of freemen today; hear the nineteen million throbbing hearts beating in unison 'to the music of the union.' See with what alacrity three hundred thousand men have flown to arms: view the chaffing eagerness of a million more to rally at their country's call. Pre- eminently honored stands today every soldier in the grand army of of the Union. I envy their happy lot. Future generations will call them blessed. Those who come after us pointing to their posterity. will say. . Behold. their grandsires fought in the battles of the Union.' Their's is a higher title than patents of nobility. History will write them down the defenders of this God-given Union. I would rather wear that badge than all the stars which shine upon the nobles of the earth. But as that boon hath been denied to von and to me. let us give the heroes our means and prayers."
At the close of the oration, toasts were read by the president, among which were the following:
"The Twenty Million Freemen of the North-With one accord they rush to the defense of our constitution and the maintenance of our laws. With such citizen soldiers. the cause of liberty and justice is ever secure."
Eloquent response by J. H. Shulls.
"Our Flag-Foremost ensign in the vanguard of the great army of human progress, beneath whose glittering stars and flaunt- ing stripes are gathered the embattled hosts of law. order and con- stitutional goverment on this continent. and to which are hope- fully directed the straining eyes of the oppressed nationalities of Europe."
Response by W. C. Gaston. Esq.
"The Press -- The strongest bulwark of American liberty." Response by Frederick Lyman.
"The Ladies -- Without their assistance the world stands still." Response by James Chapin, as follows:
. Woman ! the finishing work of creation,
Exerts a wide influence over the nation ;
In fact, such a mission she's made to fulfill,
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
"Tis said that without her the world would stand still ! But should such a calamity ever befall. Instead of a still world, we'd have none at all, And the dried-up old specimens of human depravity. Like Egyptian mummies. would fill up the cavity.
In all ages, if history gives faithful relations. Woman has more or less governed the nations ; And disloyal mothers are more to be feared Than all the prond Xerxes that ever appeared ; For those who in childhood are under her drill, In manhood will cherish her sentiments still. But if she is loyal, her sons will prove true- 'Gainst the ranks of rebellion will fight their way through. And likewise the daughters-God bless them today! Of our beautiful Home Guards. I've something to say, Who carry such weapons as arrows and lances. And never miss fire when they shoot with their glances. When the soldiers at night on their arms have reclined. And dream of their homes and the girls left behind. These chivalrie daughters. in all their bright charms, At home dream of union, and sleep on their arms."
Among the incidents of the day was the appearance of the venerable James Dowd. of Shellsburg. upward of eighty years old. dressed in the military costume of the American Revolution.
The exercises of the day were closed by a grand ball at the Fremont House. attended by fifty or sixty couples.
:
"KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE."
BY JACOB SPRINGER.
In the summer of 1863 there was a secret politieal society organized in St. Clair township called " A Golden Circle." It was a disloyal organization calculated to cultivate disloyal sentiments. To counteract its influence "A Loyal League" was organized. The country was under martial law. The authorities had issued an order prohibiting the sale of fire-arms or ammunition. The officers of the Loyal League made application through provo-marshal de- partment for permission to purchase enough Colt's revolvers and ammunition to arm every man. The request was granted and the revolvers were secured, sufficient in munber to arm every man in the
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
Loyal League. Each revolver cost $16.00 In the meantime several young men who had been drafted in Pennsylvania had escaped to Iowa and were harbored in the southwest part of the township.
So many of the Union men had enlisted it was a question whether the Union men would be able to prevent the Disloyalists from controlling the coming election. It was rumored that the Disloyalists intended to run in and vote those escaped drafted men which would give them a sufficient vote to control the election. On the night before the election all of the members of the Loval League assembled at Mr. Springer's (fully armed) and held a meeting in his barn. Plans were agreed upon for the next day. Wm. Kelley (a good, cool, clear-headed, whole-sonled Presbyterian) was selected as leader for the next day. Every man pledged himself to obey Kelley's orders and not allow themselves to be led into any dis- cussion on any subject that might lead to any disturbance. Jf there was any effort to force those illegal votes upon the judges of election and trouble followed and a revolver was drawn by any one of the Disunionists, Kelley was then to give the order and every "Leaguer" was to seleet his man and fire. The Disloyalists heard of the preparation made for their reception, consequently but few of them attended the election.
SOLDIERS OF SIXTY-ONE.
BY A. H. BROWN.
Vinton and Benton county furnished a great many brave soldiers for the Union side of the Civil war. A few won fame. but the large majority simply did their duty, and it was done nobly. grandly and heroically. Fame belongs to the lucky few, or the more clever few. perhaps.
Just who the first solider was to enlist from Benton county I do not know. I have seen it stated that Thomas Drummond was, but I do not believe such was the case. However. he was a con- spicuous and daring officer and gave his life for the Union cause, and if he was the first to get on the firing line from Benton he is entitled to the credit.
General James Geddes raised the first company and took it into the Eighth lowa Infantry. and it has the credit of being the best drilled regiment from Iowa. Geddes was its colonel and to
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IHISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
him it owes its efficiency and drill. Andrew Geddes was a lieu- tenant-colonel in the regiment at the age of sixteen. The Geddes family was a patriotic one. Besides the two just mentioned, Charles was in the Sixteenth lowa and William in the Eighteenth. The youngest son of John Geddes was in the Forty-sixth. By the way, Charles Geddes lost a son in the Philippine war. He was a bright young man. IJe died on the steamer enroute to Manila and was buried in the ocean. This much I learned from a young man who was on the steamer with him.
One of the most pathetic incidents of the war pertaining to Vinton people was this: John E. Palmer was a captain in the Second Iowa and was killed in a battle in the east. About the same time his son. Henry N. Palmer. was wounded at Atlanta, Georgia. When Henry was coming home and as he got off the cars at Marengo he noticed a box at the depot. and curiosity or sympathy led him to look for the name on it. Imagine his horror on finding it was his father's name.
Company G. Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, was recruited in and about Vinton. John Shane was its first captain, and the late Governor Sherman was a sergeant in the company when the "boys" were taken to Benton barracks at St. Louis. While in this place Jas. E. White was transferred from the Third Iowa and made a sergeant in Company G. and Mr. Sherman was transferred to Company E. and promoted to lieutenant. The "boys" were so vexed at this move that, had it been possible. they would have re- signed and found some other command. but privates couldn't resign. Jas. E. White was one of the most popular captains that company ever had. He was as brave a lad as ever wore the straps. He was wounded at Atlanta July 22. 1864. The Thirteenth lost 52 per cent in that engagement. Major Walker was killed there.
There were two companies from Vinton in the Twenty-fifth lowa. I believe Captain Gaston was in one company. and Captain Van Metre served in the Twenty-fourth. Also Sam and George Taggart and L. N. Kirkpatrick were all heroes of that regi- ment. I doubt if there was in the service a truer or better soldier than Captain II. M. Wilson. Captain Chas. E. Putnam was a member of Company G and was on General McPherson's staff when the beloved commander was killed. Speaking of brave soldiers. there were none could lay it over Craig Shields. Will Amburn, Dan Correll or Geo. Walker. John Shields was captain of a company in the Forty-sixth Iowa. and Engene Dyke was a lieutenant in the Vol. 1-16
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
company. Geo. T. Brown. now vice president of the First National Bank at Hastings, Nebraska, was a member of the company.
W. F. Pickerill was a captain in the Fifth Jowa Infantry and had charge of a Vinton company. The Fifth had a reputation as a fighting regiment. I think A. Rose was lieutenant in that com- pany, but am not sure. City Marshal W. H. Wood was a lieuten- ant in the Eighteenth lowa Infantry and was as popular there as he is as guardian of the peace of Vinton. Mayor Marion Evans served in the Twenty-eighth and contributed a leg to his country. His brother Frank was in the Third Iowa Infantry. They had fine records as soldiers. Jacob Hunt was a captain in the Fortieth Iowa. Oscar Kendall, one of the finest young men in Vinton, was killed at Corinth. Miss. Ed. Jones was one of the very first Vinton boys to go to the front. He was a son of Russell Jones, went from Iowa College and was killed in battle.
COMPANY G. J. N. G.
The military spirit aroused by the Civil war refused to die and reappeared in the form of Company G. Iowa National Guard, which was organized as a unit of the state militia September 7. 1871. with C. V. Mount. captain ; J. P. Matthews, first lieutenant. and Charles E. Innan, second lieutenant.
The company appeared at the county fair one month after its organization and participated in a sham battle. On May 30. 1872. it assisted in Decoration Day exercises at Cedar Rapids. In 1874 it performed the same services at the same place. On Decoration Day. 1878, the company assisted in the exercises at Vinton. This company acted as guards at the state fair at Cedar Rapids in 1872. and again in 1873. The company was for years considered the best drilled company in the state and won the first prize at Barling- ton in 1875 and 1876. and at Independence in 1877. After the promotion of Captain Mount. J. P. Matthews became captain. with W. S. Palmer as first lientenant and E. J. Sanders as second lieutenant.
The man who. above all others, was responsible for the success attained by this company was Charles V. Mount. its first captain. Ile received a number of promotions and finally became major general, commanding all the militia of the state. General Mount afterwards removed to Shenandoah. Page county, where he became captain of the first company muider the reorganization of the state
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