History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 41

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 41

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You have heard of the fight which took place here, a week ago to- day, between Fremont's body-guard and fifteen hundred secesh, posted in and about the town. The action commenced four miles north, on the road from Boyd's, and after the first fire and charge, was a running fight the whole distance. After the affair was over, the hodies of one hundred and fifty rebels were found in the road and bushes; while the guard lost but seventeen killed. It was a brave exploit, but rather pre- mature. Had the major followed out his instructions, and waited for the reserve force under Fremont, to come up, the town could have been surrounded, and the whole nest captured. As it is, they lost a large amount of clothing, military stores and ordnance, which they can ill af- ford to spare. If the numerous reports can be credited, Price's army is now in a sad condition, disorganized, and destitute of resources. The general opinion among military men is that the war in this section can not last much longer, but will be confined mainly to Kentucky and the eastern department. Generals Siegel, Sturgis, Lane, Montgomery, Mckinstry, Pope, and Kelton, are all here, with their respective di- visions. Lane appears to be the most honored by the majority of citizens and soldiers. He is about as ugly a man as you will often see, thin and wiry in form, with shaggy, portentous eye-brows. He is a strict disciplinarian; but, at the same time, uses every means condu- cive to the health and comfort of his men. As to the others, there is nothing more than ordinary about their general appearance. Pope has too much of a rowdyish air and swagger to impress one very favorably. Kelton is quiet and unobtrusive in deportment, reticent, and master of his own thoughts and movements. Our regiment is now assigned to his brigade, which consists of the lowa Fifth, Missouri Ninth, and Illinois Thirty-seventh. The other two regiments, by priority, would be the Indiana Eighteenth and Twenty-second; but so much hatred is evinced toward the paw-paw fighters, that it is doubtful whether they can be worked in. Our camp is half a mile north of the town, in a field once used as a meadow. . \round are scattered a few trees and brush, some half dozen houses, tenantless, and directly in front a tavern with creaking sign, windows smashed in, and the doors streaked and smeared with the accumulated dirt of twenty years. A few rheumatic chairs stand out on the porch, inviting the weary limbs of the pedestrian to a deceitful repose-these are some of the attrac- tions of an inn bearing the name, "Pleasant Retreat."

The weather is mild and beautiful, and we have some splendid moon- light evenings. On such occasions the lovers of the terpsichorean art are apt to congregate together for a social dance on the smooth turf. in front of the tents. A musician's balcony is improvised by turning a barrel on end, and a band, by placing a negro with a cracked fiddle thereon. To be sure, no method has been devised by which lady part- ners, ice cream, and bon bons can be improvised; but what of that? The participants seize each other with something less of the grace and gentleness which characterized their movements when gliding over the floor of Morse's hall with the fair damsels of Independence, nor do "eyes look love to eyes," or lips whisper fond devotion in quiet corners;

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but the dance, notwithstanding all these abateinents, which might to some appear like the play of Hamlet with the part of Hamlet omitted, passes off right merrily. The set finished, partners are seated, pipes and tobacco handed round, and the probabilities of our ever having a fight or seeing home again discussed in a cloud of smoke. And then we have some good singing from a lot of fellows in company B. Now and then brother Sam drops in, and takes up the refrain, and such a voice !

Of Price s movements nothing certain is known. Many think he is doing his best to form a junction with Pillow, and transfer the seat of war to Kentucky. Our whole force here is sixty thousand, principally from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. For pro- visions, this vast force is dependent upon supply trains from Otterville, which is the western military depot, and the road between that point and Springfield, is crowded at all times with wagon trains. Osceola, sixty miles north of here, was laid in ashes two weeks ago, by Lane's javhawkers. It was a severe measure, but the exigencies of the case required it. Property was destroyed to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars. John Minton, once a resident of Buchanan county, was present, and related to me the whole engagement. One hundred of the rebels were killed and a large number taken prisoners. Osceola had always been a secession stronghold, and richly deserved its fate. I see by your correspondence that Mr. J. L. Loomis, whom I saw at Warsaw and Springfield, is disposed to award the palm to the lowa Ninth. Upon what grounds I do not know, as he had not seen our regiment at the time the communication was written. Gen- erals Pope and Kelton both declare that our regiment is not surpassed or equalled by any in the western division, and that is considerable for them to admit. As for company E, we still hold our own. Many of the men have been sick with the measles, but are now getting better, with the exception of Scott Cushman. Only one of our number has been sent to his long home-Charles Marsh, who died in hospital at Jefferson City, He had relatives living near Independence.

Yesterday we received our overcoats, which must prove very service- able -- if this warm weather does not continue. How the good people of Independence would stare to see company E marching down Main street, knapsacks on their backs, and arms a port, dressed in their long blue overcoats. Not a day passes, but some fond reminiscence of times gone by is thought of. Whatever may be our present status, as compared with others, may our duty to our country be so faithfully discharged, that if permitted to return, we may not be ranked second to any company that ever left the patriotic county of Buchanan to quell the rebellion of 1861.

LETTER NO. XXXVI.

SYRACUSE, MISSOURI, November 22, 1861.

We left Springfield on the ninth instant, and arrived here on the eighteenth. Our destination is St. Louis, and we are now waiting for cars to convey us to Benton barracks, where we shall probably go into winter quarters. All is quiet here. Everyone is waiting to hear some- thing, nobody knows what, and so we live in expectancy.

November 27th.

Still at Syracuse.

" I say, cook, the orders are to prepare two days' rations, and to be ready to start by six o'clock to-morrow morning," shouts a chief to his mess, as he rushes down the alley ; "the captain has just told me so. So pick over your beans, boil the meat, brown the coffee, divide the crackers, and stir around."

"Where are we going?"

"That is more than I can tell. The colonel has never made me his confidant since I appeared before him with that big rent in my trousers. But then, probably we are bound for Fort Leavenworth, to go into winter quarters ; or, if not there, Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, San Fran- cisco, or New Orleans."

We have been lying here, with the expectation that something would turn up, for some time. Camp gossip has not been idle, and the most improbable stories are circulated. A messenger arrived here to-day, stating that the town of Warsaw was reduced to ashes, and that the rebel pickets were within fifteen miles of Sedalia. The latter report is discredited, while the former may be true. The Federals had seized a large amount of property belonging to secessionists, and declared it contraband ; but, rather than have it fall into their hands, the owners may have burnt it. It is hardly probable, however, that Price would make an advance movement that would expose his rear and flank to Lane and prevent supplies reaching him from the Arkan- sas border. Colonel Worthington has been appoint- ed brigadier general over his brigade, in place of Kelton, who has

resumed his old post of assistant adjutant general at St. Louis. This gives universal satisfaction. Indeed all the field officers of our regi- ment are worthy of promotion.

Thursday, 28th.

To-day we were ordered to move. Got under way at 8 A. M., and took the road for Otterville, en route, as many thought, for Sedalia. Had nearly reached the town when the order was countermanded, and we are now back on the old camping ground, but how long we shall remain here is uncertain. Some of the boys are suffering from colds, which is not to be wondered at, for they sleep every night on the damp ground, with nothing but a little straw and thin blanket under them.

By the by, this is Thanksgiving day with you. Wonder if the ladies of Independence are fixing up any extras. We are going to have a cake of Indian meal baked in the ashes. Think some of sending a piece through to your town by express. Sam has just come in; says there isn't half enough for the mess, so you must not let your mouths water in expectation of the delicacy.

C. J. R.

LETTER NO. XXXVII.

CAMP HERRON, PACIFIC, MISSOURI, November 27, 1861.

FRIEND RICH: I thought I would endeavor to fulfill my promise, made to you before leaving Independence. My time and attention have been very closely occupied, since the Iowa Ninth left Camp Union, Dubuque; but I will try to give you some of our doings and experiences. - When we arrived at Benton Barracks, there were some seven thousand troops there, including the lowa Tenth and the Douglass brigade, a Chicago regiment. This last named is a fine regiment, both as to officers and men; but I think the lowa Ninth has a finer set of men than any regiment I have yet seen. After being quartered at St. Louis for two weeks, we received marching orders for Pacific City; and, on the same day, we had some old guns sent up from the arsenal for our use. Two-thirds of them were not fit for any- thing but old iron. Some of themen were very much opposed to taking them, and felt very bad over it when they were compelled to comply with the laws laid down in the Army Regulations.

There are about one hundred and fifty sick in the regiment, about four-fifths with measles. We have not lost a man with the disease, and none seem to be dangerously sick. We have had five deaths only since the regiment was organized; four from typhoid fever, and one from general debility caused by hard drink. This, I think, is not a bad showing for a body of eleven hundred and twenty-five men. There has not been a death in the Independence conpany, although it has had its share of sickness. Sergeant Bain is the only one of the com- pany seriously sick at this time, and he is in a fair way for recovery, as the surgeon told me to-night. I certainly hope this will be the case, for he is a fine young man.

The regiment was paid off early in the present month, and I can assure you it was a day of great rejoicing. There was not a company in the regiment that did not send to parents, wives and friends from a thou- sand to twelve hundred dollars. I think that speaks well for the Iowa Ninth. On the same day that the paymaster came around, the boys' new overcoats arrived, and were distributed immediately af- ter the payments. They were very much needed, for the nights were quite cold, and standing guard with nothing but a thin coat on, and a small blanket over the shoulders, was not as comfortable as with a good overcoat. l'he regiment is well provided with clothing now, through the exertions of our colonel, aided by the quartermaster, F. S. Winslow, from Anamosa.

Ever since we arrived here, our regiment has been divided up into detachments. Companies A and F are six miles from this place, on what is called the southwest branch of the Pacific railroad, which leads to Rolla. Companies B and G are stationed twelve miles down the road, at Mozelle. The rest of the companies are located at this place; and, if we don't get orders soon, it is the intention of the com- manding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Herron, to set the men to build- ing log houses for barracks. It is getting slightly cold lodging in tents, as we had some hard frosts last week. Most of the officers brought sheet-iron stoves for their tents, which can thus be made quite comfortable so long as the fire is kept up; but in fifteen minutes after they go to bed the fire is out, and the tent as cold as though there was no stove in it.

I sent you a St. Louis paper, with Lieutenant Bull's exploit; it was beautifully managed by him. He makes a splendid officer, and is worthy of a much higher position than he now occupies, and I hope soon to see him in a higher command.

Colonel Vandever is at present absent-goes to Dubuque to visit his

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family, thence to Washington. He is an officer to be proud of, and every man in the regiment feels a pride in having such a colonel. He will probably be away two or three weeks. There are at this camp some twenty-two thousand, and, by order from headquarters, Colonel Vandever is placed in command of them.

The Missouri regiments are very inferior in discipline, drill and equipments to most of the western troops. Carousing and going home on furloughs are favorite recreations with them; but a general order, just issued, puts a stop to that game. No enlisted men are al- lowed furloughs, or commissioned officers leaves-of-absence, except they are granted by Major General Halleck, commanding the depart- ment. Lieutenant Colonel Herron is a most gentlemanly and efficient officer, and well anapted to the position he occupies. There is no doubt as to his bravery, for he was tried in the battle of Springfield, where he was in command of a company, and behaved nobly.

The general opinion seems to be that an early move down the Mis- sissippi is the next thing on the programme-the sooner the better for us. No doubt you have heard that all the troops are ordered back from the southwest portion of the State, and are now lying in camp near Rolla and Sedalia; there being about thirty thousand at the two places. As for Price, he is reported here one day and there the next, so I won't pretend to tell you where he is. Doubtless in one of the above- named places, unless he should have gone somewhere else. Dr. Wright's wife and Mrs. Hord are staying here with their husbands. Mrs. Hord lives in the tent with her husband, and seems to enjoy it.

Yours truly,

WILLIAM SCOTT.

LETTER NO. XXXVIII.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH REGIMENT, } SYRACUSE MISSOURI, December 7, 1861. 5

The Illinois and Missouri regiments are to leave to-day for their new quarters, wherever they may be. A brigade stationed at Tipton, six miles north of here, has been ordered to Fort Leavenworth, while the lowa troops, with the exception of the Ninth and Fifth, rendezvous at St. Louis. Military discipline is gradually becoming more strict and vigorous in all the departments. The orders from General Halleck in regard to citizens entering the lines is very strict, but not particularly enforced. Every day droves of country people arrive, bringing pies, cakes and vegetables, which they offer and are permitted to sell within the lines. The only safe guard required by any spy, to obtain the most complete knowledge of our situation and defences, would be a pie under one arm, or a pailful of nutcakes, Al- ready intelligence as to our numbers and position, have been conveyed to the rebel commanders, and without doubt by these means. Still we feel perfectly secure, and they are welcome to the dubious consolation of knowing ; for, like a strong deal in the hands of your antagonist, the

more they see, the worse they hate us. Reports of Price's movements arrive continually, but the most of them are discredited. His recent pathetic proclamation, wherein he states so touchingly his tale of dan- gers, trials and unrequited patriotism, is hardly strong enough to draw the most rabid Missourian from his home, to brave the thunders of fed- eral cannon. Vague generalities, gorgeous rhetoric, and studied du- plicity, are his principal arguments ; although he tells them he must have fifty thousand men, but forgets to state for what purpose. .

Sunday, 8th,-Terrific news arrived in this morning's Democrat, and the whole camp is in a state of commotion. The prob- ability of the truthfulness of these statements is increased, from the fact that large portions of our troops are moving westward ; the rear guard and baggage wagons of a perfect host being now in view. The intelli- gence conveyed by a special courier to the general's headquarters, is as follows ; " Rains has encountered Montgomery, southwest of Sedalia, defeated and taken him prisoner. McCulloch, with twenty thousand men, has surrounded Siegel, at Sedalia, and cut him off from hope of reinforcements. Price at the head of sixty thousand men, is marching direct for St. Louis, by way of Rolla, while Cairo and Paducah have been evacuated by the Federal troops, who with seven gunboats are hastening to the assistance of St. Louis." Be patient dear friends and wait for further developments. Perhaps the grand army of the west may yet get into a little scuffle, .

Sunday, we have an inspection of arms, clothing and quarters. The guns must be well scoured, the cloths brushed, the blankets and knap- sacks folded and put away in the tents, hands and faces washed, hair combed, collars turned down and coats buttoned ; in short, everything about right. We will suppose the company drawn up for inspection, when something like the following takes place : Captain. - "Attention company-prepare for inspection of arms-to the rear, open order,

march." At this command, the company being drawn up in two ranks, the front rank stands firm, while the rear rank steps back the distance of four paces, the bayonets are fixed, rammers drawn and in- serted in the bore, when the soldier resumes the position of ordered arms. The major, captain, or whoever the inspector may be, then steps in front of the soldier, who brings up his piece briskly with his right hand to the height of his chin, and then brings it forward hori- zontally, The inspector seizes it at the small, and commences a strict examination. If the condition of the gun is not satisfactory, it is re- turned with the command, "Go to your quarters, clean that gun well and report to me in an hour." If this is neglected, the insubordinate gets a birth for the next twenty-four hours in the guard house. .

. Lieutenant Jordan retains the high opinion first formed of him, and is conceded by all to be one of the best qualified officers in the regiment. We were paid off again to-day, the wages amounting to eighteen dollars and fifty cents per capita. The boys are talking of making up a package and expressing it through to Independence. 1 saw Dr. Martin to-day, of the Hickory Battallion. He is in fine health and spirits. His regiment is now stationed four miles from us, south- west of Syracuse.

C. J. R.

LETTER NO. XXXIX.

SMITHSON, MISSOURI, December 16, 1861.

FRIEND RICH :- In these border States the right policy will accomplish much more than large armies. 1 am confident that no other man, save General Fremont, could have inspired the con- fidence already entertained by the soldiery in Major General Halleck. 1 except General Fremont, for no commander ever possessed the affec- tion and confidence of his army more completely than he, and the in- dignation at his removal was unbounded. It is now conceded that, at Springfield, the dissatisfaction at one time amounted almost to mutiny. Still more intense is the universal detestation toward Fremont's vilifiers, They have abused and misrepresented him in every manner that intense hatred and jealousy could suggest; they charge him with crimes that would damn a saint; they talk of his imbecility and inattention to his duties; they assert that his army was badly organized, badly armed and equipped. badly clothed, worse fed and very inadequately provided with means of transportation; and that, as a consequence, upon the recent expedition to Springfield, the soldiers suffered untold horrors. Of course the country at large cannot judge correctly of the truth or falsity of these charges. The experience of those immediately connected with the Springfield movement is probably better evidence in the matter than the lying accusations of malignant enemies.

The Forty-second Illinois regiment formed a part of the expedition to Springfield. Our march from Warsaw was a forced one, and we ex- perienced all the discomforts incident to such an emergency. We were awaiting the arrival of our teams from Tipton, with provisions, when we received orders for an immediate and rapid advance to Springfield. Of course, we were obliged to leave our tents and camp equipage, with the exception of a few cooking utensils, which were piled upon crazy ox-wagons. Thus, deprived of all these appliances for comfort, which serve to mollify the fatigues of a forced march, it may well be supposed that we suffered fully as much as any regiment in the expedition. For- tunately, the weather was most favorable. The days were pleasant and comfortable, though the nights were quite chilly, and the only serious discomfort, aside from the suffering naturally resulting from long and rapid walking under a heavy burden, was occasioned by sleeping in the open air, exposed to heavy dews and the cold night winds. To be sure, we were on half rations, a portion of the time, but there was no great suffering on that account. Under the most favorable circum- stances a march of eighty miles, performed in three days, would occa- sion great fatigue, and cause the weak-kneed and weak-willed to fall by the wayside. All things considered, where was the particular cause for grumbling, or for accusing J. C. Fremont of inefficiency on our ac- count ? It was only an incidental circumstance, for which he was not accountable, that we, with several other regiments, were just then with- out our tents; and I can testify that, during a tour of observation through the several camps around Springfield, I neither saw nor heard anything to justify the bitter and extravagant accusation of such sheets as the Chicago Tribune, and such ambitious politicians as the big and little Blairs. It was not Fremont's fault that all the regiments were not provided with rifles or rifled muskets. He did everything possible in this direction, and is not responsible for the shortcomings of the Government. I presume it will not be contraband information to state, that many of the regiments have only the smooth-bore muskets. In this respect, however, we are doubtless as well

off as the enemy. If Fremont's troops were at any time on short ia-

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

tions, it was directly the fault of his subordinate officers; and when reg- imental and company officers are required to pass through no examina- tion whatever, as to their fitness, inefficiency must prevail, and does, to a frightful extent. Right there is our failing. Give us good officers and we will dare the devil.

The Forty-second is now stationed at Smithton, four miles west from Otterville, and sixteen from Tipton, where the Fifth lowa is stationed. Our regiment is at present detached, but we expect soon to be united with the Second regiment of our brigade proper-Douglas brig- ade - which is now at Benton Barracks awaiting arms. The Second has a representative from Independence in Mr. Norton. . . Your correspondent, "C. J. R.," asserts that I am "disposed to award the palm to the Towa Ninth." without having seen the l'ifth. He must have misapprehended my language; but now, having seen both, I can assert with the utmost assurance, that I am not a proper judge of their relative merits; but I do affirm, with- out fear of offence, that they are the two best regiments I have seen. The Fifth has been noted among the regiments now in central Missouri, for its soldiery qualities. I have heard its praises on every hand. 1 recently saw in Otterville, Messrs. Marshall, Waggoner and Woodruff -- all in their full flush of robust health, and evidently none the worse for the responsible positions to which their talents have already pro- moted them. Still higher honors await them all. An extensive move- ment westward has just been made; we have rumors of fighting, and are anxiously awaiting more definite and reliable reports.

J. L. LOOMIS.

LETTER NO. XL.

FROM THE SAME, December 25, 1861.

FRIEND RICH :- Vandalism has justly been charged upon Price's army, and like accusations have been brought against us. The truth in reference to this matter may, perhaps, as well be told now as after the war. Of course I shall only speak as to what has come within the range of personal observation. It is probable, however, that the ex- perience of our division has been substantially the same as that of the whole army in Missouri, or indeed of any or all the military depart- ments of the country. During our march to Springfield, in October and November, our commissariat was not administered with the liber- ality which had previously characterized this department of the service; and, as a consequence, the boys were accustomed to cast about for the means of making good the deficiency. The means adopted were not always "regular"-such for instance as breaking for every orchard on the road, without reference to the proclivities of the owners, and ap- propriating any loose travelling property that fell in their way, etc., etc. These practices were followed from no desire to pilfer, but simply to satisfy a craving for a different or more plentiful diet. Again, if a neighboring hay or grain stack was discovered, the men were morally certain to appropriate sufficient to keep them well off the damp ground at night. Was this a very heinous offense in time of war even though not regular? It was certainly somebody's business to supply these necessaries ; and if, from the necessities of the case, supplies could not always be at hand, the other method became, it seems to me, a neces- sity. I do not deny that a fabulous number of chickens, geese, pigs, etc., were put hors du combat-the happier memories of my own stomach would rebel at such a denial-but I do assert that the soldiers were, in the main, actuated by no other motive than that of self-pres- ervation. Previous to our return from Springfield, General Turner had been assigned to the command of our division, and it was observable that thereafter a change came over the spirit of our actions. We have been better supplied with rations, and it is expected of us in return that we observe the proprieties implied in mine and thine most scrupulously. In the track of an army on the march, how- ever, there will invariably be more or less petty pilfering. Our enemies will call this vandalism, and make a mountain of a mole-hill.

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History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 41

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