History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 42

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 42

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When our regiment was ordered to Smithton we took possession of the vacant buildings, and have been fitting them up for winter quarters. In doing this it has been necessary to demolish some of the smaller buildings to procure the required lumber. Whenever stray stoves, counters, desks, chairs, etc., are found, there are no scruples in regard to securing them, and the company that takes the most is the "best fellow."

It will be difficult for the north at large to realize the effect of this war upon the border. Here in Missouri, Iowa's next neighbor, were the whole tale told, you would scarcely credit such things of Ameri- cans. And now I am not alluding to the desolation that must follow in the track of large armies, but to deeds that result from embittered feeling between those once friends, but now ranged under opposing

banners in a deadly partisan warfare. To casual observers, such as soldiers must necessarily be, the effect is most apparent in towns. In- stance this village of Smithton. It sprang up on the completion of the railroad to Sedalia, increasing from nothing to a population of some three hundred, with several large stores and hotels. Last spring, on the breaking out of the Rebellion, it was one of the most promising of the new railroad towns; now it is the camping ground of a thousand men in arms, sent to protect a few trembling loyalists from their self- banished neighbors. Of the many thriving business firms but one re- mains, and that is mainly sustained by soldiers' custom. The vacant stores and dwellings are transformed into comfortable soldiers' quarters. As with the towns, so with the country. Who can tell of the hopes blasted, and the many homes made desolate, and their once prosperous inmates miserable? Who will write of all the dark deeds of crime, the robberies and murders committed ingthe shade of the concealing woods, or under the cover of night? Truly, every man's hand seems raised against his neighbor.

Our regiment is in mourning for our colonel, William A. Webb, who died last evening. With him departed the life and soul of the Forty- second. This is a sad Christmas indeed for us. As a soldier and a man he was honorable, generous, and brave. He was universally be- loved by his men. What more can be said of a commander?

J. L. LOOMIS.

EXTRACTS.

* The renowned Sergeant P. went out with a patrol squad the other night, and had a narrow escape from being mortally wounded "in the neck," as also the whole party. Having surrounded a suspicious-looking fellow, they demanded his surrender ; when, to their amazement, he pulled out a long bottle, and proposed a truce. In the end four of the party were laid prostrated-and the prisoner got away. After all, Christmas passed off quite agreeably ; citizens and soldiers mingling with each other hospitably in emptying wine and beer barrels. We have seven rebel prisoners in the guard-house, the most of them taken with shot guns and bowie knives, on their way to join Price. They are a poor, deluded, ignor- ant set of ragmuffins, um ible to read or write; who imagine that the people of the north are regular Ostrogoths, wearing the skins of wild beasts, and living on mare's milk. Pope's capture of the rebel train from Lexington is rather a damper on secession sympathizers, but affords great congratulation to Unionists.

C. J. R.

LETTER NO. XLI.

CAMP HERRON, PACIFIC, MISSOURI, } December 21, 1861.

FRIEND RICH :- I see by some of the papers that our regiment is supposed to be on Price's trail ; at least we are marching to each of the cardinal points of the compass at one and the same time. Our friends will take notice that, much to our regret, we are still at Pacific City. Snow fell to the depth of three inches last night-the first snow of the season, except a little flurry a week ago. Some of the rebel prisoners asked our boys if it was not cold in our cloth tents these cold nights. The boys told them that it was not cold enough in Missouri to affect a live patriot, while the camp fires of liberty are burning in his breast. While treason is feeding upon husks, and shivering without shoes or blankets, we are well clothed, well fed, and well paid, with plenty to spare in our father's house. What do you think of the boasted confederacy, when they refuse to take their own scrip; while, at the same time, they take Uncle Sam's currency with- out asking any questions? The truth is they have no confidence in their cause or scrip. l'rice can't get his fifty thousand men. Those who enlisted first have " fought, bled and died" a few days, and now are returning home, and would be glad to act as doorkeepers for Uncle Sam, rather than enjoy the pleasures of trenson any longer. They be- gin to have a better appreciation of the strength of our Government. Some of the largest slaveholders here are the most severe on the seces- sionists. If it were left to some of them, they would hang every rebel in the country. Colonel Manpin, of this county, was one of the first to raise the Stars and Stripes and to rally around him a band of true patriots, to defend the cause of the Union. If General Lyon had not promised Price and Jackson that they should be protected on their way

- The letter from the regular correspondent of the Guardian, a member of the Iowa Fifth, announcing the return of that regiment from Syracuse, where we last heard from them, to Boonville, though received and noticed in the editorial column, December 31st, was not, for some reason, published. A few short ex- tracts are here given from the letter following the one omitted, dated Boonville, December 26 .- E. P.

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

from St. Louis to Jefferson City, after that memorable compromise, Colonel Maupin would have taken them from the cars at this place and hung them to the nearest tree. He told them in St. Louis at the time, it was all a ruse to get time to mature their treasonable plans -- and so it proved. They commenced burning bridges as soon as they got away from St. Louis. Colonel Maupin was a member of the legisla- ture, and knew all their plans. He regrets very much that he did not take them from the cars and hang them (so do I). If he had the brave hero that they so hasely betrayed, might at this time have been leading us on to victory. Our gallant colonel (\'andever) is in Washington, at- tending the Thirty-seventh Congress. We miss him very much, but we know wherever he is he will be found true to the cause of his country, whether in the halls of Congress or on the battlefield. He has the confidence of his regiment, and our prayer is that he may be permitted soon again to rejoin us. 1 would not neglect to speak of Lieutenant Colonel Herron, who takes command in the absence of the colonel. The regiment is highly favored in having a man of his ability to lead it. We are much attached to him. He is a gentleman in every respect ; courteous to all, never abrupt in his commands. Red tape has little influence with such men as Colonel Herron. He can treat a private well, and preserve his dignity at the same time. He stands high in the esteem of every one, and is truly worthy of our highest regard. I might speak of others, but let it suffice to say that no regi- ment in the volunteer service is better officered than the Iowa Ninth. The boys think everything of their new guns. They are the improved Minnie musket. Our boys have tried them, and think them good for a secesh at half a mile every time. The battery are drilling every day. They have six brass pieces, two of them twelve pound howitzers, and four four-pounders. They make a fine appearance on drill. The pro- cession consists of fourteen six-horse teams, with cannon and caissons, one man on each near horse, the rest riding on the caissons; this is on the march. The men all dismount as soon as the line of battle is formed, each springing to his place at the gun. The command is given, and each fire in turn ; the horses and fore wheels being detached as soon as the line is formed. On each of the pieces is the following inscription : "Where is Jeff Davis?" We hope their voices may be heard down in Dixie. We all want to see Jeff, and the prospect is favorable now, that we make him an early visit. Captain Washburn is the hero of the Ninth at present. He started out on a scout a short time since, with ten of his men, and two guides, and returned after a tramp of fifty miles, with nineteen prisoners, thirty horses, wagons, guns, etc. He was within three miles of the notorious Freeman's camp, and feels confident that, with fifty men, he would have taken the whole camp (that is if he could catch them). His guides tell me that the rebels always begin to retreat when the lowa boys start after them, and think if we had a few more such men as Captain Washburn, they would soon rid the country of these lawless jayhawkers that infest it. We are all getting out of patience, and were it not for so many sick in the hospital, there would be a move made to do something. We have at present one hundred and seventy-five on the sick list, nearly half of whom have had measles and mumps. The rest are intermittens, pneu- monia and typhoid fever. The measles have proved fatal in many in- stances in consequence of carelessness after convalescence. Twenty of our noble young men are gone.

"They sleep their last sleep, They have fought their last battle ; No sound can awake them to glory again."

They have gained the victory; if not on the battlefield, they have endured more suffering, and have died at their post like brave soldiers. .Our friend, R. E. Freeman, of company C, was buried on the thirteenth of December. I never shall forget the feeling that came over me when he was brought from the barracks to the hospital. I saw that his time with us was short. He reached out his emaciated hand to me, and, while the tears rolled down his sunken cheeks, he said. "doctor, I am so glad to see you ; can't you help me? I feel so bad." I told him we would do all we could for him. I immediately placed him in a clean bed, and made him as comfortable as possible. This was Wednesday evening, the eleventh. The next morning he seemed to rest better, and said he hoped he would soon be able to go home. A minister from Marion happened in to see the sick, and speak a word of encouragement to the brave sons of Iowa. He spoke with Reuben, asked him if he felt that he could put his trust in the Saviour, to which he replied, "Yes, I love the Saviour, and am sorry that I have not loved him more." We knelt down by his bedside while the minister offered a petition for the restoration to health of the young soldier. But 1 must close this mournful sketch, simply saying, give me death on the

battlefield, rathering than a lingering disease and death in camp, away from home and friends.

R. W. W ..

LETTER NO. XIII.

FROM THE SAME, CAMP HERRON, December 25. Our "Merry Christmas" this morning is an order to march. Every- thing is in confusion; all are packing up and getting ready to start. The sick list has diminished rapidly, and many would go that are not able, if allowed. Your humble servant is detailed to stay with the sick. Adjutant Scott has just called to bid us good-bye. He thinks it may be two months before we are all together again. All the stores, bag- gage, artillerv, and all the rest of the fixings, are loaded on the cars for Rolla. One regiment of cavalry has just passed on its way to Rolla, and others are expected to follow the Ninth lowa to-day. We were standing in the door of the hospital with our better half, to see our brave boys leave for the seat of war. All seemed delighted with the prospect of doing something for the country-but again they were doomed to disappointment. A man comes running and tells us the order to move is countermanded. Another says they have taken Price and all his men prisoners, and we are to be discharged from service- that the war is ended. The first report is true-we are to remain in statu quo till further orders. All the men have gone to their old camp- ing grounds, and have commenced putting up more barracks for win- ter quarters, and matters are getting so arranged as to make it look a little like home.

The sick make frequent expression of their gratitude to the aid so- cieties, for the many comforts they continue to receive. The ladies of Independence are often spoken of, when the sick soldier rests his weary head upon the nice soft pillows, and reads upon his quilt or sheet, "Ladies' Aid Society, Independence." Tears of gratitude are often seen upon manly cheeks, and a fervent "God bless the ladies of Buchanan county," is upon the pale lips of many sufferers. They are always first in every good cause; may they still continue their good work in the cause of their country. We still lack many things to make the sick comfortable-especially jellies and other delicacies for the con- valescent. We have an abundance of the substantials-bread, meat, potatoes, rice, coffee and sugar. The hospital fund also furnished a little means for the purchase of eggs, hutter, milk, ete. But I have written now more than you will want to publish, so I will close by wish- ing you all a happy new year.

R. W. W.

I.ETTER NO. XLVIII.

CAMP HERRON, PACIFIC, MISSOURI, January 18, 1862. 5

FRIEND RICH :- It is Saturday evening, and thoughts of home and friends in old Buchanan come crowding thick and fast before my mind, in pleasant remembrance, almost making me, I was going to say, a' little homesick. But that is not it, What I was trying to arrive at was this: that as I had nothing in particular to do this evening. I thought I would write a few lines for the Guardian. But I must con- fess, to begin with, that news, for these times of "wars and rumors of wars" is most lamentably scarce. We are waiting patiently for the time to roll around when there will be something done by the Ninth Iowa that will be worth writing about, though that will certainly not be until we are removed from here. Indications now point to an early movement. The companies that were posted at different points along the railroad, have been called in, and are now here. Since our pack up, and failure to go to Rolla, we have been quartered in barracks, built to accommodate one company each; but, since these companies came down from the railroad, we have been a little crowded, as they were divided around among the other companies. We are enjoying ourselves however, resorting to everything that tends to hasten the hours along. Lately we have organized a debating society, which is both interesting and beneficial to all who engage in it. We have been waiting impatiently for the past ten days for the soldier's friend, the paymaster; but as yet we see no signs of him. We are hoping that if the "needful" is really getting exhausted, we shall hear of a forward movement soon, and I most earnestly trust we shall. Why this back- wardness and delay? Are we waiting for disease to thin our ranks and paralyze our energies? Or are we waiting to enable the enemy to fortify and make themselves impregnable? Or to give England another opportunity to make a demand upon us more humiliating than the one already granted. It would seem so, and she will do it, if there is not soon a move made, and that with such overwhelming power as will raze to its foundation this monstrous rebellion which we are now con- tending against.

156

HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

I understand that there is an effort being made to put the Ninth in Lane's division, and if that is accomplished, it will be something that will suit the boys; for we all believe that he will do something when he gets started. The soldiers of the Missouri regiments ate deserting in large numbers. Squads of our men have been sent out several times in pursuit of them. The deserters will be courtmartialed, but what the sentence will be, 1 cannot tell. We have one prisoner here, taken as a spy by the Ninth, and the sentence of death has been passed upon him, and it has been sent in to General Halleck for approval. If heapproves it, the sentence will be carried into effect. I suppose many of your readers are not familiar with the modes of punishment that are meted out to those who have wandered from the paths of rectitude, duty and military discipline from our own ranks. There are different grades of punishment, according to the enormity of the offence. For instance, if one of the boys happens to slip the guard at night, as is often the case, and is caught, his knapsack is filled with his clothes and blanket, he swings it on his back, shoulders his gun and marches "on the color line" four or five hours. If one of the boys gets a little boozy, as is seldom the case, he has the honor of riding the " regimental horse," as it is styled. He isabout seven feet in height, with four legs all of a size, body about six inches in width, and is ridden without saddle, bridle or stirrups. One poor fellow, for sleeping at his post, was sentenced to pick his knapsack and gun and march around a circle about two rods in diameter, so many hours a day for a certain length of time; to suffer ten days' close confinement; to be fed upon bread and water; and, to cap the climax, to forfeit one-half of three months pay. So much for sleeping at his post in the enemy's country.

H. P. W.

LETTER NO. XLIV.

SYRACUSE, MISSOURI, January 20, 1862.

FRIEND RICH :- All is quiet with the Fifth as yet. That magnificent forward movement, looked for so eagerly, is not ordered yet. I cannot think that the Fifth will be excluded when the day arrives, but there is no confidence among the soldiers that it ever will arrive. If military editors can bring the war to a close by their bombastic harrangues, it is all right. If it is not closed by legislation, thousands of poor soldiers must lay down their lives yet. The remark is often made that during a war more men die of disease, than on the battlefield. From my own observation I can certify to the veracity of this statement. Let one visit the graveyard at this place, who doubts it-the long rows of new graves attest the fact. Could those fond mothers, who have near and dear ones in the army, behold the deserted look of this graveyard, I fear they would censure the officers more generally than they have done heretofore. Even the slightest pretence of a funeral ceremony is not observed in inost cases, but the soldier is borne silently to the grave by his comrades. The hospitals here and at Centerville, have been severely criticized; but it has been to little purpose, judging from their present condition. The word hospital fairly makes one shudder, and none will consent to go there, only as a last resort. The sick in this place are mostly from the fndiana regiments; only three companies of the Fifth are here. I am assured that there is at Boonville a much larger proportion of our men on the sick list-company E, we are told, reports only twenty-five men for duty. Here we are still living in Fremont's tents, in which we have constructed sod chimneys, which make them very comfortable. A cracker barrel forms the top of the chimney, which not unfrequently takes fire and routs the inmates pell mell. The colonel keeps no guard around us, and gives the boys the privilege of going where they please, so long as they behave them selves. S. A. REED.

LETTER NO. XLV.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH IOWA REGIMENT, BOONVILLE, MISSOURI, January 24, 1862. 5

FRIEND RICH :- The appointment of Lane has created considerable surprise and dissatisfaction here. It is feared he will adopt a system of warfare injurious to the interests of the Government, and force a good many persons who now occupy neutral grounds into the secession ranks. Ask a slaveholder who he hates and fears most, and he will tell you Jim Lane. And I fear that Lane, while at the head of his troops on a former occasion, did allow them to pillage to a greater extent than was necessary. This turning a large army loose upon a section of country already impoverished, and giving them to under- stand that they are to forage, cut and slash as they please, is not very pleasant to reflect upon, and the chances are that the enemy, instead of becoming humiliated and saddened, will be inspired with enthusi- asm to fight ten times harder. A dignified and hon- orable warfare should be pursued under all circumstances.

[It is quite evident that some of the members of the Iowa Fifth had found the "neutrality " and hospitality of Boonville slaveholders rather confusing. They left home with the motto, "He that is not for us, is against us," inscribed upon their banners. E. P.]

The monotony of our life has been somewhat disturbed by the recent battle of Silver Creek, an account of which I presume you have seen, and the influx of a number of prisoners as one of its fruits. One detachment of eighty was brought to the city under a strong escort, and placed in the jail until arrangements could be made for sending them to St. Louis. It is hard to conceive of a sight more humiliating and touching than a gang of men huddled together like sheep in a slaughter house, awaiting their fate with the most stoical indifference, and to know that these poor deluded mortals are our own countrymen. Many of the prisoners were young-mere boys, in fact, totally unfit to endure the rigors of a military life, who had been induced to take the fatal step without the least reflection. Some have been sent back to their mothers, with a strong injunction to remain under their protecting wings for a year or two at least. Going down the street a short time ago, my attention was arrested by seeing a large man, of aldermanic rotundity, standing on the sidewalk, and recount- ing to an imaginary crowd, his grievances. "I came to this city, gen- tlemen, for the purpose of hunting up my nigger. He ran away from me some time ago, and 1 spect he's in among the Iowa troops. He's ncarly white, got a piece of his left ear bitten off, and is a great hand to pray. He'll beat half the ministers, now, telling about the kingdom, and I want to keep him on that account. No one can say that I mis- used him. He's heain some o' these abolition stories, and put out. Now, if any on ye will tell where that nigger is, and he'p me to get him, I'll treat ye to all the peach brandy ye can drink. I've got some that old Noah helped put up himself .. "

The last I saw of this gentleman, he was standing on the sidewalk praising up the institution of slavery, Abe Lincoln and the Iowa boys to the skies. There has not been much trouble about slaves escaping, and when they are found within our lines, they are generally returned on application being made for them. This seems rather hard, but it is the best course that can be pursued. The only troops now here are a detachment of cavalry, the Home Guards, and our regiment, with the exception of three companies at Syracuse. Last night I received a letter from E. C. Little, of Captain Hord's company, stating that their regiment was under marching orders for Rolla. Lieutenant Jordan and myself have concluded to try our hand at editing a paper, a copy of which 1 send you. We are all anxious to see Orderly White again, and hope that he will grace the hospitable board of mess No. 1 with his presence ere long.

Yours, truly, C. J. R.

[The following extracts front a private letter from Or- derly Sampson, of company C, Ninth Iowa, exhibiting, as they do, the spirit which animated out heroes, are of great value. E. P.]

LETTER NO. XLVI.

ON THE LEFT BANK OF THE GASCONADE, 1

Thursday, January 30 1862. 5

It is now after 7 o'clock P. M., and most of the regiment are over the river, but the transportation is now being brought over. It has been a tedious day for us. However, I will commence back a day or two. We left Rolla early on Tuesday morning-marched about nine miles, the latter two or three in the rain, the mud being very deep all the way. About 3 P. M. we halted in the muddiest place you ever saw. We pitched our tents and shovelled out some of the mud; opened ditches to carry off some of the water; and cut poles and brush to spread our blankets on. During all this time it rained very hard, drenching us all completely. By a late hour we managed to get dry enough to lie down, and I must say slept very well. When we got out in the morning, the ground was covered with about two inches of snow, and it continued to snow quite hard. We struck our tents, intending to push forward and cross the Gasconade; but, after marching about two miles, found that we could not cross the river on account of its rising. So we pitched our tents again, but on better ground than be- fore. Here we made ourselves quite comfortable, and were ready the next morning to advance across the river. There are still about three inches of snow, but it is not quite so cold as yesterday. We found the river about three and a half feet deep, and about fifty rods wide. We could not ford it, but found an old flat-boat which would hold about thirty men, and on this we all passed over, and are now trying to get

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History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 42

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