History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 39

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 574

USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 39

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Yours, etc.,

E. C. LITTLE.

LETTER NO. XXIII.

CAMP NEAR BOONVILLE, MISSOURI, October 5. 1861, headquarters Fifth lowa regiment.

We left Glasgow for this point on Wednesday last, and arrived here at 8 P. M. the same day. It appears that the colonel entertains fears of being cut off from supplies by some of Price's wandering hordes, who, since the surrender of Lexington, fill the country in all directions, and thought it more prudent to drop back and rejoin the main body, prior to making an advance movement.

Glasgow is an isolated place, destitute of defences of any kind, and nothing would have been easier than for the Secesh to have surrounded and held us at their mercy. But, in justice to the town, I will say that, so far as kindness and liberality are concerned, the people are above reproach. The fire of liberty still burns brightly in the breasts of many, and they are not backward in expressing their love for the Union, at every opportunity. The Ninth Missouri and Thirty-seventh Illinois regiment, Colonel White, are stationed here. The Illinois re- giment is well uniformed, their guns are of improved pattern, but they are poorly disciplined. They have been but six weeks in service, and need practice.

As for the Missourians, they have seen, judging from appearances, hard service. Their uniforms are old and soiled-guns of an inferior quality, while the utmost confusion reigns in the subsistence depart- ment. General Pope arrived here, with his body guard, to-day. The command of the post has devolved temporarily upon Brigadier Gen- eral Kelton, who is an energetic, efficient officer, and much respected by all. You have heard, ere this, of General Fremont's departure from St, Louis. He brings with him an army second to none in the field. Despite the number of his personal enemies among his former political associates, the hearts of the loyal citizens here are with him, while the conduct of Blair and his supporters is condemned in the strongest terms. There is no doubt that Price has evacuated Lexington, with a part of his command, at least, for some point southward, perhaps Georgetown. Trouble is apprehended, for we leave for that spot to- morrow morning. A dispatch has just arrived, stating that Sigel had encountered Price and repulsed him, but it needs confirmation.

C. J. R.

LETTER NO. XXIV .- FROM THE NINTH IOWA. *

CAMP HERRON, FRANKLIN, MISSOURI, October 14, 1861.

MR. EDITOR :- Last Friday afternoon, October 11, we left Benton barracks and marched through St. Louis to the Fourteenth street depot of the Pacific railroad company. Bouquets and cheers were showered on our regiment in the streets of St. Louis. After waiting a couple of hours until the train was made up, and the stores, including ten days' rations, were loaded, we moved forward. The train consisted of twenty-five cars, and proceeded rather slowly to this point, ninety-eight miles from St. Louis, where we arrived at 10 o'clock at night. Thanks to the moon, we were enabled to pitch our tents on the new camping ground the same night. Our camp is situated on a gently sloping ground on the southeast side of the small town of Franklin, called also Pacific City. As the tents are new, and the camp itself is laid out as near as possible according to the "rules and regulations of the United States army," the appearance of the same from the foot of the hill, or from the town itself, is rather pleasant and picturesque.

The days have been rather warm and very bright since we arrived here. The nights, however, are cold and frosty, and the dew heavier than I have ever seen before. Last Sunday, while at the depot, a train from St. Louis came in carrying Simon Cameron, the secretary of war; the adjutant general, Lorenzo Thomas, and their suite, on their way to meet General Fremont, at Tipton. A very humorous scene occurred while the train was waiting. As Mr. Cameron stepped out upon the platform he saw some four or five of our boys near him, and addressed one of them jokingly, "Do you belong to Vandever's regiment ?" "Yes, sir." "Are they all as good-looking fellows as you are?" the secretary asked. The soldier thus addressed, E. C. Little, of Buchanan county, answered in a dry, humorous way, " We are the worst looking of the whole lot, but I guess they anyhow look about as well as you do." This was received with a hearty langh by the by- standers, in which the secretary and his friends joined. Mr. Cameron reentering the car, General Thomas told the boy that he had been ad- dressing the secretary of war, which information did not move the boy at all, He continued standing with folded arms, the only one looking serious in the whole crowd. Presently the secretary returned and said, "Why, boy, you ought to be mide captain. What is your name?'' "Never mind about my name," was the answer; but the secretary in- sisting upon knowing it and his place of residence, he said in the same cool, humorous way, "My name is E. C. Little, and I come from Buchanan county, lowa, if you ever heard of such a county. They say it is called so after President Buchanan, but he is no relative of mine."

This brought them all down again; but they gave it up entirely when he added in the same dry wav, "I guess my folks live up there yet, and if you come up that way you had better call in and see them."

*From another correspondent.

* Correspondence of the Dubuque Times.

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

I am telling you this incident because I saw some of the gentlemen of the party making notes of the scene, and it probably will appear in print somewhere else ; and, as I stood next to the inperturbable boy, and heard the conversation, I looked upon myself as a perfectly relia- ble reporter.

We left a few sick at the hospital at Benton Barracks. Captain Harper, from Jones county, remained behind to attend to them. I am sorry to report that one of the sick, thus left behind. has since died of typhoid fever. His name is Amor Winsiow, of Scotch Grove, Jones county, and he belonged to Captain Harper's company, A small de- tachment of our regiment is guarding a railroad bridge, half a mile west of us; but beyond this everything seems as peaceable as at Old Camp Union. There may be a good deal of seceshdom around us, but if there is, it appears to keep as prudently silent and invisible as at dear old Dubuque itself. SCRIBBLER.

LETTER NO. XXV.

CAMP NEAR BOONEVILLE, MISSOURI, October 16th.

Our marching orders, of which I spoke in my last, were counter- manded on Monday, the seventh instant, and we still remain here. A violent storm from the northwest, however, as usual brought with it marching orders, and we are once more in readiness to sail out for some point unknown ; probable Georgetown. Price is reported to be within twenty-five miles of the latter place, with an army of thirty thousand men. This notorious personage has the marvelous faculty of honoring twenty different places with his presence at one and the same time. To my mind it is quite certain that we shall meet no larger force of the enemy for sometime in these parts. Price's army at Lexington was composed of a heterogeneous mass, which dis- persed itself over the country, the moment the conflict was over, only to organize when summoned to the attack of some weak point.

Well, this is one of the days, decidedly. How the rain dashes and splashes on our frail tents, shaking the foundations thereof, and caus- ing the votaries of Mars within to quake with fear and dismal forbod- ings. Our lodge presents a picture worthy the pencil of an artist. By my side Sam is snoring in blissful unconsciousness, while the rest of our comrades in arms are disposed in the most picturesque attitudes. At length Sam awakes, opens wide his small mouth, yawns, and, as clearer consciousness dawns, exclaims, "wonder if I can't get my squash on in time for dinner." While speaking he slowly unfolds his blanket, and displays a fine specimen of that vegetable, which he had in camp parlance, drawn, from a neighboring garden. "How are you going to cook it?" "Well, I s'pose in the usual manner, and, in the usual manner, let you fellows eat it." "I think, Sam, you had better lie down and take a nap. You hav'nt slept but fourteen hours, and must be sleepy. As for squashes, we have plenty of 'em (tho' too green to cook) without going so far." "It's a wonder that you've not been picked," retorts the squash hunter, as he adjusts the blanket around his shoulders, and settles down to another snooze.

Friday .-- Still at the old quarters, having delayed marching on account of the rain and the bad roads. The camp is in a flurry of excitement. The mail and paymaster have just arrived from Jefferson City, on the steamer Northerner, bringing plenty of news. No one can imagine with what eagerness the letters were seized, and their contents de- voured. To be sure, they were all old, but none the less welcome. We have had no late papeis for three weeks, and have been reduced to the most deplorable shifts for reading matter. Our letters showed that all were well, all thriving, all wishing for our success, and safe return, and after reading them over and over again to see if there was any obscure expression that had escaped us, we went to supper, feeling better. The captain's wife and Lewis, who had been a long time con- fined in the hospital, came up to-day. Lewis is improving, and I hope that he may soon be able to bear his new fledged honors, for it is un- derstood that he is to be appointed sergeant-major. Mrs. Lee will re- turn home, and will probably be the bearer of this and other letters. We all hate to have her leave, for the whole company are in love with her quiet, unassuming manners and noble grit ; for she would stick by the company through thick and thin, if possible. May success attend her.

The boys are half crazy at the prospect of receiving a little money. The colonel is in a quandary, and favors the expediency of paying off part at a time, so as to have a guard for the other half. How many good dames will be gladdened by the sight of a little money from ab- sent husbands. Here comes one rushing up in breathless haste .- "Boys, I am going to send mine back by Mrs. Lee, every cent of it. If I should fall into the hands of the secesh, I don't want them finger- ing it out of my pockets."

We shall not go to Georgetown, but to Syracuse, twenty-five miles distant, and are to leave as soon as paid off.

C. J. R.

LETTER NO. XXVI.

HARLAN BARRACKS, MT. PLEASANT, IOWA, October 18, 1861. 5

FRIEND RICH :- Knowing that your readers feel some interest in the men enlisted in the army, from Buchanan county, I take the liberty to give you some of the details of an incident with which some of the Buchanan boys and myself were connected. Night before last, as three of our men were riding into camp from town, with one Bob McCulloch, an altercation occurred between them, commenced on his part, by call- ing them d-d Lincoln men-nigger stealers, and ending by his driving them out of his wagon, and chasing them with a volley of stones; the boys suffering an ignominious flight, rather than quarrel with a citizen of the vicinity, But learning afterwards that he was a noted seces- sionist, and the nephew of General McCulloch, of the would be " con- federacy," they hecame clamorous for his arrest. Accordingly a detail of twenty men was placed under my command, by Captain Peters, with orders to arrest him, and bring him into camp.

We marched to his residence, a distance of about four miles, and si- lently surrounding the house, placed guards in a close cordon, and thought the bird safely caged. But we were doomed to disappointment, as we learned from the family that McCulloch had gone to one of the neighbor's, and their description of the locality of the neighbor's house was not remarkably lucid. Learning that one of his boys, who was at the stable when we arrived, had made a hasty exodus through the timber to the west, 1 detailed a squad of men to guard the house, and with the rest of the party gave chase to the boy, whom we met at the dis- tance of half a mile on his return. The country, in that vicinity, was thoroughly ransacked, but without success. Concluding, and rightly, as was afterward proven, that the boy had met the father and given him the alarm, we returned to the house, and withdrew the guard; but, with skilful manœuvring, placed a concealed picket in a situation to com- mand the approaches to the house, and give notice of the buzzard's return to his roost. We then, apparently, marched back to camp. In reality, however, we sought a heavily timbered defile and bivouacked. About an hour after, another detachment arrived from camp, sent by Captain Peters and Captain Rector, whose company quarters adjoin ours, to reinforce us and learn the cause of our prolonged absence. It was finally decided to return to camp, leaving our watch on duty. While eating breakfast we received notice that our game was housed. We marched back, you may believe, in high spirits; but alas! only to meet a repetition of our failure. One of our guards had imprudently, and against positive orders, allowed himself to be seen by the family, and again the bird had flown to the woods, and nothing was left for us, but to return to camp, hanging our heads, (instead of the traitors) with shame and vexation at our want of success, and bearing the taunts of our comrades as best we might. The afternoon following Lieutenant Lee, of Captain Rector's company, thinking no doubt to win laurels for his company by success where we had failed, started an expedition for the same purpose, of which I took the lead as guide. By making a detour through the timber, we succeeded in surrounding the house, without being seen by the inmates, and again was that house made historic by being enclosed in a military cordon, embracing a circle of about one half mile in diameter. Leading the party on horseback, and seeing the chain uncoil itself behind me, as they were sent off by Lieutenant Lee, one at a time, at a distance of about fifteen rods from each other, tightening its huge folds in silence around its supposed unconscious victim, inspired a feeling of confidence in the success of our expedition, and also brought to mind similar exploits of "Marion and his men" in Revolutionary times. After we had completed our circuit, twenty men were sent to beat the cover; but, beat as they would, "Bob' was not, and there was the end on't.

Lieutenant Lee, in chagrin at his failure, determined to strain a point, and ordered under arrest, a son of Robert McCulloch, esq., nephew of a secession general, a lad about fifteen years of age. A file of men started for the woods; taking the boy with them a coil of rope hanging ostentatiously from the arm of Sergeant Kelley. Taking him to the darkest corner of a heavily timbered ravine, he was ordered peremptorily to disclose all he knew of the whereabouts of his father, which he refused to do. There upon the rope was ordered to be thrown over the nearest stout limb, and a noose prepared. The boy took in the arrangements at a glance and yielded, agreeing to lead them to where his father was; which he said was at a house some four miles away. The party immediately proceeded to the place designated, and

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found not the game, but a "sign, " announcing that he had been there, lntt had left for parts unknown. (We must be allowed here to leave on record a suspicion that the "boy" got the best part of the joke, in this transaction; and that he has doubtless many times related to admiring circles, "how he led those Hawkeye Jayhawkers, a wild goose chase, through brush and brambles, on a cold morning in October, 1861." E. P.)

Thus ended our first hunt for secessionists; and we came home ready to admit, that one secesher, in this instance at least, was more than a match for two companies of Cavalry.

There are but two companies in camp at this time, but the full number are accepted, and will be here as fast as buildings can be completed to receive them. Three more companies will be here by Wednesday next, and the balance in a few days. I have nothing more to add, except to say to any persons who are wishing to enlist, that this company yet lacks a few men of the maximum number, and if they wish to join us, they can do so by applying to Lieutenant B. S. Rider, who is commissioned for that purpose.

Yours truly, GEORGE B, PARSONS.

LETTER NO. XXVII.

POPE'S DIVISION, HEADQUARTERS FIFTHI IOWA REGIMENT, NEAR } OTTERVILLE, MISSOURI, October 19, 1861

FRIEND RICH :- Our regiment left Boonville at an early hour on Monday, the fifteenth instant, for Otterville, thirty miles distant, trav- elling a road, the roughness whereof the imagination of man never conceived. The Illinois Thirty-seventh regiment, Colonel White, brought up the rear. At Syracuse we were to rejoin the Missouri Ninth, which we had left the day previous, and proceed together to Otterville, which is General Pope's headquarters. Mr. Weis, our scout, leaves to-morrow morning for St. Louis, and I must send this by him, or never; so I will insert a few extracts from my diary, and let it go. We have not had any mail, or received a Guardian for a long time, I had almost forgotten to say that Lieutenant Marshall has been honored with the post of brigade quartermaster. In his promo- tion our company loses one of its most gentlemanly and efficient offi- cers. All the boys are strong and hearty as lions, and eager for an engagement. This amiable wish may soon be gratified, for the enemy are reported to be gathering in strength upon the Osage. No doubt Price has been successful in his long cherished hope of effecting a junction with McCulloch, and their united forces amount to thirty-nine thousand, at least so say the scouts. General Fremont is at Warsaw, and it is highly probable that he will advance and give him battle, if the latter gentleman can be persuaded to overcome his inordinate love for running, and stand fire.

The country through which we passed after leaving Boonville, in a southerly course, is strikingly picturesque. Noble houses and well kept lawns beautify the roadside. The second day's march was more fatiguing than any we had previously experienced. The roads are rough, and in many places very muddy. Wagons sink to the hub, and mules disappear entirely, except their ears. The second night we camped one and a half miles from Syracuse, and I had the pleasure of serving as corporal of the guard. To render the duty still more agree- able, it rained all night. Lieutenant Marshall, who was officer of the guard, and myself crawled into a small tent and managed to keep tolerably dry. At ten o'clock A. M. we started for Otterville, distant eight miles. The night's rain had rendered the roads awful. Our regiment took the lead, the Ninth Missouri, which joined us at Syra- cuse, next, the Thirty-seventh bringing up the rear. The train lined the road for two miles. Reached Otterville, a small straggling town, at five o'clock P. M., marched two miles further and camped on the prairie. No less than ten thousand are stationed here. The country looks as if a swarm of locusts had been through it. C. J. R.

LETTER NO. XXVIII.

CAMP HURON, MISSOURI, October 20, 1861.

FRIEND RICH :- Since my last but little of interest has transpired. On the tenth instant we were ordered to pack knapsacks and prepare to leave St. Louis, The day previous we had received our arms, old muskets, which were undoubtedly in the Revolution, and perhaps have not been shot since. Nevertheless we took them and started for the cars. Our knapsacks being heavy, and the sun shining rather warm, many of us were ready to rest when we got to the depot. We finally got into first-rate cattle cars and moved off slowly, one engine serving for a train of over twenty cars. We arrived at this place, Pacific City, about twelve P. M., and were marched to our camp ground, thirty or

forty rods from the village, " by the light of the moon." We are sta- tioned here to guard the place, for it is an important post, the roads forming a junction here. A great many soldiers pass over this road for Rolla and Jefferson City. Seven companies of the Ninth left last Wednesday for the west or southwest, to guard bridges and to act as scouting parties,

We are glad to hear through your columns the election news. We see there is a Republican administration over our county, which has served and is serving our country so well. Our company is getting along finely, all of the boys enjoying themselves. But one or two are in the hospital. We are afraid of the ague, if we stay here long, for the region is a malarial one. The patriotic spirit among our boys seems to be firmer than ever. Life is sweet, but not so sweet but that we are willing to risk ours to replace the stars and stripes which have been trodden in the dust. We are bound to < e that emblem of our country's power floating again in the place from which it has been torn, to be trailed under rebel feet.

E. C. LITTLE.

The memory of the youthful hero who uttered these noble senti- ments, and who descended to an early grave, from wounds received in their defense, will live in the hearts of the noblest and purest, not only of those who knew him, bnt of all who shall ever claim citizenship in Buchanan county.

E. P.1

LETTER NO. XXIX.

CAMP HERKON, PACIFIC CITY, MISSOURI, October 21, 1861.

FRIEND RICH .- The Buchanan County Light infantry are still among the living, though almost dying for a fight. The boys are all very much dissatisfied at having to stay at this place; but we suppose it is all right, as, being at the junction of the Rolla and Jefferson rail- roads, we can be sent in either direction at short notice. At present four companies are twelve miles west on the Rolla road guarding a bridge over the Merrimack; two more companies are six miles distant at another bridge; Captain Powers, with his company, two miles away at another. The light infantry remain in camp, with two other com- panies, to guard the city; or, more properly, the railroad. It is one of the most dismal, forsaken looking places I have seen since I left home. Almost every able-bodied man has joined either the rebel or Union army, and if those that are left are fair specimens of those that have gone, one of our men could chase a thousand, and two could put ten thousand to flight. You have no idea what a yellow-skinned spindle- shanked set of goslings they are. Half of the home guards and home enemies are so ignorant that they can't tell you to what regiment they belong, or where they came from. They are very much like an old lady I saw here the other day. She said she didn't "keer as wich on 'em got beat eout," if they would let her "a leavin." Like Jeff. Davis, she wanted to be let alone. Is it to be wondered at that these ignorant creatures who know nothing of, and of course care nothing for, their country, are imposed upon by the designing traitors who have told them that, if they do not rise and drive the Union men out they will all be hung and their property taken. But, thank Heaven and Federal cannon, they are fast coming to their senses.

We have, at present, some eight prisoners who have been taken by our scouts. While Captain Powers and his men were in pursuit of one the other day, he eluded them and got away. But having strong sus- picion that he was secreted in a house near by, they made a military search, placing a guard at each door, and one in each room. The ladies of the house declared that no such man was in the house, and offered their services as an assurance of the fact. But somehow our military men lack confidence, even in the ladies down here, and they were not satisfied until they had gone from cellar to garret. When they were about giving up the search the captain thought he saw a pair of boots through a broken ceiling. Drawing a revolver, he demanded if there was anything alive in them; if not, there was no harm in try- ing his skill at a mark. The boots soon began to move, and in less time than I can tell it, a full grown secesh stood before them. And then the ladies-but we spare you. It would be quite needless to tell you that the gallant captain did not avail himself of the privilege of bayoneting them, which they dared the " black-hearted villain" to do. He simply assured them that he was not there to harm them in any way, and, having secured the hero of the boots he bowed himself out.

October 22d, Tuesday night, dark and blustering. Quite an exciting affair occurred about 8 o'clock. James Waldon, of company D, one of the picket guards, saw some one coming toward him, and ordered him to stand; but the person came directly on, at the same time raising

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

a gun. The guard cried, "Hold, don't shoot!" but raised his own gun and fired, calling, at the same time, for the corporal of the guard, double quiek. Before the corporal could get to the scene of action bang went another shot. By this time about fifty men had assembled, and seouts were sent out to bring in the supposed bleeding rebel, but nothing could be heard or seen. Soon all was quiet, and the guard was doubled to make all safe. The quiet was of short duration, however. llalt! halt! halt! and another bang and call for the corporal of the guard came in quick succession. 1 stood in the door of the hos- pital, saw the firing, and ran immediately to the place. Before I came up another "halt! halt! halt!" by the next, and off went his gun when I was within ten feet of him. By this time we began to think that the bushes were full of rebels. The colonel was on hand, and, in his usual prompt manner, five minutes found the companies all in line. At the word "load !" such a,clanking of arms! The rammers sounded like the beating of ten thousà ad triangles. But, as usual, no enemy was to be found. So much for our first attack. We are happy to state that none were killed on our side, and shall pro' ably be able to state the number missing on the other side next week. Our men exhibited the best courage; not a man held back, but all were ready for the fight. Mr. Young, in his hurry, forgot to take out a paper he kept in the muz- zle of his gun to keep ont the dirt, but put in the charge and rammed the whole down together. Of course he did not shoot anybody, and in that he was not peculiar. R. W. W.

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History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 39

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers Number of Pages: 574

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 574