USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 24
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W. C. Morris, a jeweler of Independence, had gotten up a fine breastpin con- sisting of a spread eagle bearing in his beak a medal, with the bust of Lincoln and the words, "Lincoln and Liberty." The design and execution were excellent and proved very popular with the politicians.
In September the draft list had decreased from sixty-five to forty-three and the long threatened draft was to take place on Friday, September 30th, by Hon. S. P. Adams at Dubuque, and at that draft the deficits stood :
Township-
Enrolled. Deficit. Drawn.
Perry
46
5
10
Madison
45
2
4
Fremont
23
1
2
Westburg
10
3
6
Homer
41
14
10
Jefferson
88
6
12
Middlefield
31
4
8
Newton
88
6
12
Cono
98
2
4
Substitutes were sought by some of the drafted men, who paid as high as $1,000 for their services.
On September 19, 1864, a dispatch was received from Captain Herrick at Davenport, saying: "We arrived yesterday : to be mustered out Wednesday." According to this the company would soon be home. On Friday, September 30 the 100-day men arrived home. They were met at the depot by the fire com panies in uniform and were escorted to the Baptist Church, which was not then completed, where an excellent dinner was served. The company looked very jaded from the sickness whiel had prevailed among them.
As would be expected during the war times, prices of some of the principal commodities, particularly those imported and manufactured, were exceedingly
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182
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
high, while those of home production were very cheap compared to priees of 1914. The Independence retail market in January, 1865, was :
Flour, per ewt. $ 4.00 Corn, per bu., shelled. .$ .55
Oats, per bu., new
.48 Beans, per bu. 1.75
Potatoes, per bu :
.50 Butter. per lb .40
Eggs, per doz. .15 Lard, per lb. (none) .25
Beef, per ewt ..... $6 and 7.00 Steak, per Ib. .12
Pork, per ewt. (none)
12.50 Salt, per bbl. 5.50
Syrup, per gal
1.50 Molasses, per gal. 1.25
Sorghum, per gal.
1.00
Brown sugar, per lb. .28
Refined, per lb. . 35 and
.40 Black tea. per Ib. 1.50
Rio Coffee. per lb .60
Green tea, none sold, per Ib.
2.25 Sheeting. per yd
.80
Dried apples, per lb. . .15
Prints, per yd. . .. 35 and
.50
Oak wood. per eord (noue) 6.00
Shingles, per M. No. 1. .7.50
Boards, first clear, per M. 65.00
Commonest boards, per M 43.00
Flooring, per M. $48 and 62.00
Siding. rough, per M. . 37.00
Wheat 1.05
Gold 1.80 Silver 1.70
Exchange on New York .buy par, sell 1% premium
Exchange on Chicago. .bny 1% discount. sell 14 premium
Buchanan County warrants. sell 80 and 85 cents
Eastern currency .sell 98 cents
Par funds. . . greenbacks, national bank and state banks of lowa
Pork was retailing at 18 cents per pound. Two years before it sold at 2 cents. People were wondering how they could "grease their whistles" if it still raised.
Gold was at a premium and greenbarks were below par. When farms were sold, or any large exchanges made, gold was largely demanded and a reduction or per cent off allowed For it, although greenbacks were legal tender, but the finances in the country were rather insecure. It was a matter of public interest and comment and published in the papers, when in February, 1865, Mr. Spragg had come all the way from New Brunswick, in the British provinces, 2,000 miles away. and bought the William L. Clark farm near Fairbank and paid gold for it-$1,500 in gold and the remaining $2.000 he was privileged to pay in green- backs. The value of the $1,500 in gold was worth over $3,000 in curreney. This was a farm of 200 acres-170 acres of it Fenced, 45 acres under cultivation. 70 aeres of it timber, with only a few log buildings. That was an extra good price for land at that early day.
A dispatch from Vicksburg, Mississippi, October 18, 1864, informs the citizens of Independence that Lient. S. A. Reed, acting ordnance officer, Fourth Division, United States Colored Infantry, was promoted to be captain of Company A, Fiftieth United States Colored Infantry. Captain Reed entered the services with the Fifth lowa Regiment in 1861 and for meritorions conduct upon the battlefield of Champions ITill was appointed a first lieutenant of the Twelfth
Tallow, per lb. .14
Kerosene, por gal. 1.25
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
Louisiana Volunteers, which office he held with honor to himself and the service. Captain Reed had been what you might call the official reporter to the Guardian besides.
Some of the different religious societies were becoming interested in the political issues of this year's (1864) campaign, and at the Cedar Valley Baptist Association, of which Independence was a part, they adopted very strong resolu- tions against slavery and "armed traitors in the South," and those who aided them in the North: those who were crying peace at the sacrifice of our Union, etc. These resolutions strike us very much like a political platform and savor of political preferment, but those were times to stir men's souls to action. And all this agitation had a beneficial result for the Union ticket, with Lincoln leading it, polling the largest majority that had ever been given any President. Lincoln had ten times as many as MeClellan. Buchanan County was decidedly Unionistic and Lincolnistie, giving that party 453 majority, and their entire ticket carried. C. E. Lathrop, formerly of Independence, was one of the marshals on Inaugu- ration Day when Lincoln was seated.
Word from Camp MeClellan Hospital, Davenport, reports the death of George Vincent Cummins of Company B, Forty-seventh lowa. ITis father was Rev. G. B. Cummins, formerly for many years a resident of Buchanan County. George was born near Quasqueton and was in his sixteenth year. He died of typhoid fever-another sacrifice to the war god. E. B. Cook of Littleton had been drafted and promptly started to the front.
In December, 1864, Governor Stone issued an appeal to all the people of the state to contribute for the support of suffering soldiers' families. The state had appropriated some the year before, but it was not in any way sufficient, so the governor proposed a general contribution of the people, setting apart for that purpose the last day of the year. Ile offered a handsome banner as a reward to the county which contributed the most, and an elegant engraved diploma to the individual who rendered the most aid. In Independence a supper was given by the Soldiers' Aid Society at the National Hotel. The proceeds amounted to $120, to be distributed among the needy. Friends at Jesup had received word the last of December, 1864, that John Rust had been killed in a battle near Nash- ville. Two sons of J. Shaffer also were wounded and another was taken prisoner.
In January, 1865, still another draft of soldiers was to be made. In Wash- ington Township the number enrolled was 328 and twelve more was necessary, and throughout the county there was volunteering being done to escape the draft. E. R. Merrill, who returned from the army to Hazleton some weeks before, on a siek furlough, had just died.
On February 6th, it was announced that Major Marshall was baek home. He escaped from the rebel prison in Georgia after being incarcerated about a year and a half. The body of Capt. J. D. Smith, who was killed in October, 1864, was brought to Independence from Bunker Hill, Illinois. for burial, and Mrs. Smith and family returned here to live.
The Twenty-seventh Regiment had come up to Cairo and then embarked down the Mississippi to participate in Sherman's campaign in the East.
Inauguration Day, Mareh 4, 1865, was celebrated in Independence with flags, cannon salutes, ringing of the town bell, a firemen's parade, and general rejoicing.
184
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
In Newton Township they celebrated with a fine big dinner for the benefit of soldiers' wives and widows. After dinner came the distribution of money and other gifts which the kind friends and neighbors had brought. Coming swift and fast upon the recital of the many tragedies of the war and home con- cerns. appertaining to and affected by it, comes the announcement on April 9, 1865, of the surrender of General Lee to General Grant at Appomattox court- house. This was the grand and glorious finale, the stupendous climax of this long and grievous war. April 14th was celebrated as Sumter Day and there was great excitement and rejoicing in every hamlet and village through the entire Union territory, and probably a sigh of relief, even though despondent from the entire South. Independence celebrated the event with a general jolli- fieation with a great bonfire at the corner of Main and Walnut streets, flags flying, banners waving, with "Our flag floats again over Suinter" embellished thereon, firing of cannon, bells ringing, the firemen's parade, and "speechify- ing " on a hogshead. Great crowds were out and the excitement and happiness reached the highest pitch.
Then suddenly the whole country was pitched headlong from the topmost pinnacle of joy into the deepest and most profound depths of despair. Presi- Ient Lincoln. the noble and honest, kind and true-hearted, to many the epitome of human goodness and greatness, had been foully murdered. The story is so vivid in the minds of even the youngest "historian" that we shall not try to portray the awful excitement, gloom and despair, and the spirit of vengeance and bitter, hatred which this horrible tragedy aroused. Feeling was intense and people were in a state of unreasonable prejudice and passion. Naturally the Southern Confederacy was held responsible for this murderous act and dire and awful vengeance was threatened the rebels.
The Guardian and Conservative as all other papers got ont extra editions heavily draped in mourning. The flags which had been fluttering so gaily and triumphantly for the Union victories were hauled down to half mast and draped in mourning. Editorials in the papers were a succession of expletives and laudits for the dead executive and accusations and threats for the assassins. "Vengeance was the cry." Governor Stone. then at Washington, issued a proclamation calling upon all lowa to observe Thursday, April 27th, as a day of fasting and prayer over this solemn Providence, and requesting that all travel and business be suspended. So, in accordance with this order, Independ- once observed the day with appropriate services. The first observance was on Wednesday, April 19th. At 11 :30 A. M., Judge Burt adjourned court until 2 P. M. in anticipation of the funeral services for the lamented President, as recommended from Washington, for that noon, all over the land. With the zealous exertions of Sheriff Westfall and Reverend Fulton they had a very appropriate, though extemporaneous, ceremony. At 12 the flags were put up at half mast, draped in deep mourning; the bell was tolled with minute peals from 12 A. M. to 1 P. M. Hand bills were quickly circulated and at 1 P. M. a large concourse of people had assembled at the courthouse where fitting serviees were conducted by the several ministers of the town and two out of town speak- ers. After this ceremony court resumed. Then a citizens meeting was held Saturday eve. April 22d, to make arrangements for funeral solemnities to be observed on Thursday, April 27th. Great plans were made by the committee
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185
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
appointed to properly observe the day; the program was to commence at sun- rise, with firing of cannon every half hour during the day; business was to be suspended and all public and private houses and all places of business be draped in mourning. A procession of the fire companies, lodges, all patriotic and other societies, the mayor and city council, the clergy, the hand, a hearse drawn by four gray horses, pall bearers, consisting of military men, returned soldiers of Buchanan County and the citizens generally was to be formed at the bell tower, march through the city and proceed to one of the churches, where services were to be held. Everything was in readiness when the date of the funeral was changed and the plans were submerged with those of the fast day ordered by Governor Stone as a state memorial day, and this day was fittingly and impres- sively observed in part, as they had planned for the previous occasion. J. S. Woodward, Jacob Rich, R. W. Wright, J. F. Hodge and H. Kinsley were the committee on arrangements and conformed as much as possible to the recom- mendations of the governor. A great throng of people assembled at the court- house where the Union services were held. Rev. John Fulton gave a most elo- quent address, all places of business were closed and everyone refrained from secular avocations and pleasures. At Littleton on Fast Day, April 27th, Rev. J. D. Caldwell gave a most able and eloquent discourse which, at the earnest request and vote of the congregation, was published in the Guardian of May 31 in full. Everywhere meetings were held to testify by prayer and humilia- tion the great grief felt at the loss of this noble life, and sorrow at the great calamity to the country and humanity.
Our state representation in Washington met and passed resolutions, among them that the citizens of Iowa in Washington wear the usual badge of mouru- ing for the period of sixty days, a custom not ohserved nowadays.
The mourning seemed to be universal and sincere although the democratic papers all over the country and the Independence Conservative, along with the rest, previously had reviled, derided, abused and defamed his character, his ability, his intentions and his attainments as never a public man was before or since. It really doesn't seem possible that such bitter and venomous feeling could exist and such threatening and slanderous talk be used and at such a time. Times certainly have improved in this matter; we believe in the freedom of the press, but think a respect should be accorded our President and that a defamation of character and slander should be utterly and entirely eliminated, but the degree of the offense is largely determined by the spirit in which it is given, and during that period of our history there was no question as to the spirit, which was of the most vicious and acrid character.
Immediately following this great national calamity came the pertinent ques- tion of punishment for the traitorous, remorseless and accursed leader of the Rebellion and also negro franchise: In the different states opinions were as varied and as intense as they had been about the war, and in Independence as every- where there were opposing factions.
The democrats were supporting the lenient, forbearing, forgiving and con- eiliatory poliey, while the republicans demanded judgment, justice, restitution and retribution.
On the negro franchise question the two parties were as much divided and sentiments swayed the publie mind more perhaps than on the other questions.
186
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
There was no idea of justice or duty, only a matter of sentiment and preju- dice.
During these stirring times communications from the soldiers were either very scarce or else inconsequently compared with these other events and were crowded out, for no letters had been printed For some weeks.
A letter came from Captain Elson of Company C, Ninth lowa Infantry, at Raleigh, North Carolina, telling of their part in the capture of Columbia, along with four other lowa regiments.
The Thirteenth lowa had been given all the credit for this victory when in reality they were not in that brigade. but at the opportune moment had rushed in to claim the prize.
Our soldiers were scattered all over the country. Another letter tells of Captain Gaylord's thrilling adventures with the Indians in Dakota. Captain Gaylord had left Fort Berthold, where he had been stationed all winter as A. (. S .. and was on his way to join his company at Leavenworth, Kansas.
Formerly he was lieutenant in Company G, Sixth lowa Volunteer Cavalry, but afterwards joined the United States Volunteers.
G. B. Sitler had arrived home from the war. He had been in prison over a year. Word from Company G, Fifth lowa Cavalry, from Macon. Georgia, April 30. 1865. tells of their expected home coming. All the re-enlisted men of Company E were with this regiment and had been with them since they started on the march from Chickasaw Landing.
Hon. Stephen J. W. Tabor, fourth auditor of the treasury and president of a society of Iowa people in Washington, formerly of Independence, and William Duane Wilson of the Agricultural Department visited President JJohn- son and presented him, in behalf of the State of lowa, a resolution from the citizens of Iowa residing in Washington, D. C., expressing their deep sorrow and regret at the great national loss sustained in the death of President Lincoln, and being unwilling to occupy the valuable time of his successor, President Johnson, by a formal call, they expressed their sentiments toward him in a resolution signed by them.
This resolution is abounding in the most flattering compliments and lofty praises, calling him a statesman of practical wisdom, a patriot of incorruptible integrity, a man of courage. firmness and energy, etc., and expressing the great- est respeet and admiration for him and his strict adherence to his convictions ; furthermore offering their own and the state's cheerful and heartiest support. This resolution was presented to President JJohnson by Hon. S. J. W. Tabor with a very eulogistie speech, and the President replied. expressing his grateful thanks. After this public sentiment and personal regard changed in respect to President Johnson, and he was impeached, but time has fully vindicated his honor.
The Ladies' Aid Society, which had worked so faithfully and unremittingly for the past four years and whose mission really expired with the close of the war, reorganized into a Ladies' Christian Commission as an auxiliary to the Chicago branch of the United States Christian Commission. They met at the courthouse on May 25. 1865, and adopted a constitution and by-laws and elected the following officers: President, Mrs. J. M. Boggs; vice president, Mrs. J.
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
Fulton ; secretary, Mrs. J. C. Loomis; treasurer, Mrs. Warne; and a charter membership of thirty-six.
June 1st, the last National Memorial Day, ordered by President Johnson and Congress, was observed in Independence, Quasqueton and other places, with appropriate services held in the churches. Addresses were made and prayers offered, and a deep solemnity and sincere sorrow pervaded. S. B. Goodenow, editor of the Guardian, delivered an eloquent and effusive eulogy on Lincoln, at Quasqueton, and also at Littleton, which was printed in the Guardian.
Capt. J. P. Sampson was home this June on furlough. He had joined the regular army, having been on the signal corps, and at this time appointed assistant in the Freedman's Bureau, stationed at Mobile.
Eli Geer, one of the last drafted men, died at Beaufort, South Carolina, of typhoid fever.
The Fourth this year was celebrated at Independence, Quasqueton, and Fairbank with the usual excellent program-national salutes, speeches, music, oration, parade of different orders and Dumfuzzies, fireworks, and sumptuous dinner. Colonel Heege, of the "Flying Artillery," had a troop of cavalrymen- fifty in number-to eseort the two town cannons. At Quasqueton they had a bar- beque-a roasted ox and pigs. About two thousand ate dinner there. This Fourth was the climax of all previous ones, in the general good feeling and rejoice- ing : the war was over, and peace was manifesting its benign presence.
For some months past a great deal of agitation had been promulgated toward a state orphans' home, for the special benefit of soldiers' orphans. Numerous speakers had been in Independence, working in its behalf, and the different patri- otie societies had lent their financial aid and influence to this worthy cause, and the Ninth Regiment, in camp at Louisville, Kentucky, adopted resolu- tions urging the positive necessity of the grand and beneficent institution.
Iowa is recognized as being first in furnishing soldiers, and they among the "bravest of the brave," and true to the reputation thus gained, Iowa was first in her efforts to provide for the orphans of her gallant dead. A soldiers' orphans' fair was held at Marshalltown, and there were extensive displays of all kinds of exhibits. All soldiers were urged to attend, and were entertained gratuitously. Tents, bedding, and meals were furnished to soldiers and rented to others. Goodly sums of money were contributed from Buchanan County, and numerous enter- tainments and suppers were held to raise funds.
The Fourth lowa Cavalry was stationed at Atlanta, Georgia, and wrote home of their expected pleasure in hoisting the Stars and Stripes over the court- house in this rebel stronghold. In the Guardian, of Wednesday, July 19, 1865, is a notice that the Iowa Ninth was coming home. It was in Chicago, enroute to Davenport, where it would be mustered out and thence home. The Twenty- seventh's term of enlistment expired September 13th, and this brought it within the order for mustering out all regiments whose time expires before October 1st. Companies C and 11, of the Twenty-seventh, disbanded the first week in August, and reached Independence, Tuesday, the 8th. Mr. Heege, of the heavy artillery, met them with the usual "loud and bursting welcome," and tried in vain to form a line of march, but as he expressed it-"friends, children, mother, frau, all there-nothing but hug-kiss-cry ; scatter everywhere-no process- nothing." But happiness reigned supreme, and little else mattered. The
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
Twenty-seventh elicited much praise from the different places where they en- camped on their way home. From the Clinton Herald: "No better regiment ever went into service, and the conduiet of its members while here, showed them to be good citizens as well as brave soldiers. The officers labored diligently on muster rolls and pay rolls, and promptly did their duty. The men were quiet, unobtrusive, and well disciplined, ete. Their deportment was not excelled by any regiment." The Clinton women got up a bounteous dinner for them, and the school board threw open the schoolhouses for their shelter from the rain. The regiment passed resolutions of thanks for their kind and generous treatment.
The Dubuque Herald highly complimented them for their quiet, orderly, and gentlemanly behavior while in Dubuque. "No regiment that had passed through that city showed a greater respect for law and order than the Twenty- seventh." Col. Jed Lake made a very laudatory parting address, which we here- with print.
Fellow Soldiers: In taking leave of you at this time, after three years' serv- ive in the field, I hardly know how to express myself, such varied emotions erowd themselves upon my mind. Sorrow at parting the associations that have natur- ally grown up among us during the hardships that we have suffered in the field, and joy at the prospect of once more rejoining our families and friends in civil life. But knowing that we have fully accomplished that for which we entered the United States military service, you are to return to your homes with the full consciousness of having done your duty to your country as soldiers. By your courage on the field of battle, your patience on long and fatiguing marches, your uncomplaining submission to the hardships and privations of camp life, you have won for yourselves an enviable reputation ; you are now about to return to civil life. Be as good citizens as you have been soldiers, and you will ever maintain for yourselves the highest esteem of your fellow-men. While we mingle our tears and sorrows over the graves of our comrades, who lie buried, from the Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, let us ever strife to maintain the integrity of the Republic, and the honors of her citizen soldiery .- Signed, Lient .- Col. Jed Lake, Twenty-seventh lowa Infantry.
The Fifth Cavalry Regiment was mustered out at Clinton, in August, and Company E arrived at Dubuque, on Friday, August 18th. The fourteen men from Independence and vicinity came home immediately, and received a joyful welcome.
They participated in the last battles of the Rebellion, and were among the last of the army that were mustered out. The First Iowa Cavalry, in which several Quasqueton men were enlisted, was still in eamp at Alexandria, Louisiana.
At a meeting of the citizens of Buchanan County, held at the courthouse, on August 25th, it was determined to hold a reunion and welcome celebration on September 16th. in honor of our soldiers. Committees were appointed and great preparations were made, which were successfully carried out. The weather was ideal, and all the county turned out to do honor to their noble soldiery. There were over five thousand people on the streets.
At 10.30, a procession consisting of bands, soldiers in uniforms, and citizens, started from the courthouse and proceeded to march through all the principal streets, to the green opposite the postoffice, where the soldiers were lined up. Here prayer was offered by Reverend Adams, and the address of weleome given
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