USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 44
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On Wednesday we had a little picket affair. A small force of the enemy's cavalry appeared in sight of camp, driving in our pickets. A few shells from one of the gun-boats sent them scampering, with a de- tachment of our cavalry in full chase. Nothing of the enemy has been seen since. I apprehend we are in no great danger, for the rebel generals were only too glad to get well out of the traps so skillfully laid for them. J. C. LOOMIS.
LETTER NO. LIII.
STEAMER ANTELOPE, MISSISSIPPI RIVER, March 17, 1862.
FRIEND Rich :- Our boys long prayed for action, and now we are likely to have enough of it. Never was a regiment more delighted than was ours on the evening of the fifteenth, when we received orders to get ready immediately to leave Columbus, and the announcement that we were bound "down the river," was hailed with shouts of delight. We suddenly acquired new skill in packing knapsacks, tents came down with a rush, the sick became mysteriously convalescent, and before we had recovered from our transports, we were winding down the steep bluffs on our way to Dixie, real Dixie. No more resting on the con- fines, no more waiting for the "anaconda," so completely bound up in red tape, but a real onward and downward movement! Of course, we were in high spirits-for the Forty-second. We were not too excited however, to court "Nature's kind restorer" and within an hour after embarkation, the decks of our pre-Adamite steamer were covered with sleeping "Vandals of the North "-a freight more precious than they ever carried before the war.
The first gray streaks of the morning found us in the Grand Expedi- tion which was lying quietly just above Island No. 10, a few miles above New Madrid.
The estimates of the number of guns upon the island, which is apparently very strongly fortified, vary considerably, but there are probably from seventy to one hundred, some of which are of very large calibre. There is also a powerful battery on the main land, just at the bend in the river, commanding the river northward.
The Federal naval fleet consists of seven gun-boats and nine mortar floats, the latter carrying each one immense thirteen-inch mortar.
The infantry force of this expedition consists of Wisconsin and Illinois regiments, a company of cavalry and two batteries of artillery, all under the command of Colonel Bufort, of the Twenty-seventh Illinois.
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
LETTER NO. LIV.
NEW MADRID MISSOURI, March 24, 1862.
FRIEND RICH :- Whatever of interest or importance attaches to New Madrid, considered as a military or strategical point, is no doubt al- ready familiar to your readers. Sickness and other causes have prevented me from writing for some time, and at present our company, and indeed I might say the whole regiment, are in the deepest despond- ency at the untimely death of our gallant Lieutenant Jordan. The blow was so sudden and unexpected, that we can hardly realize, as yet, that he is lost to us. Punctilious in business. untiring in his efforts to promote the health and comfort of his men, kind, brave, and patriotic, he stood high in the esteem of all as an officer and a man. On the march from Boonville to St. Charles he overtaxed his strength and laid the foundation of that fearful disease, typhoid pneumonia, which ulti- mately swept him into the grave. On the last day's march from Sikeston to this place, he insisted on leaving the ambulance and travelling with the company, as the prospect for a fight was good, and his adventurous and daring spirit would not allow him to remain be- hind. Fatal error! for from that day he grew worse, appetite and strength failed, and he was finally taken to the hospital. Whi'e there he was surrounded by everything that the kindness of loving friends could suggest, and the regimental surgeons were untiring in their ex- ertions to afford him relief. Some one or more of his company were constantly at his bedside, and to one who was bathing his feverish tem- ples, he remarked: "I may die, but I mean to keep up good spirits." On the morning of the nineteenth I went over to the hospital, and found that he was sinking rapidly. His sufferings at times were acute, but he bore up under them with the calmest resignation. .
At 12 o'clock on the night of the twentieth instant, the king of ter- ror came, and the man who had led us in our long campaign through Missouri, participating in all the hardships and exposures of our marches and counter-marches, and infusing into his men a share of his own courage and patriotism, yielded to the summons, and departed to that better land, where the petty toils and strifes of this ephemeral life of ours are unknown. .
There was something of romance and pathos in the gathering of company E around the camp fire for the purpose of testifying in a series of resolutions the high regard which was entertained for our late comrade, the lamented Jordan. In a strange land, far from home, we were met to bestow our meed of praise, and leave some token hy which the absent friends might know that we were not insensible to the merits of the fallen.
[This letter contains a lengthy description of the at- tack on New Madrid by the brigade to which the Fifth Iowa was attached-the unexpected termination of the siege by the evacuation of the town and forts and their occupation by the Federal troops under General Pope. We give some extracts from the closing portion of the letter .- E. P.]
On the morning of the fourteenth instant General Hamilton's brig- ade, composed of the Fifth and Tenth Iowa and two other regiments, moved forward for the purpose of supporting our battery by the lower fort. It was 3 o'clock in the morning, with rain falling at intervals, accompanied with flashes of lightning and low rumbling thunder. Many a soldier left camp feeling perhaps, that he should never return again; and doubtless many tender missives were written to be for- warded in case the writer should received his quietus. Occasionally the flashes of lightning would reveal groups of infantry, cavalry and artillery by the roadside, silent as statues, moving slowly forward through the mud and darkness. We were now within range of the enemy's guns, and every exertion was made to get us concealed in the rifle-pits before daylight. These pits were nothing more than a kind of trench dug at the base of the declivity, retreating to the west; and by the time we arrived there the rain had filled them halt full of water. Here was a delightful state of affairs. To sit there twenty-four hours in a doubled up posture was bad enough, but to be compelled to paddle around like muskrats was more than the patience of the boys could stand without some show of flinching. "Get in, boys, lay low, shells will be eoming over here directly," thundered the colonel. And in they tumbled, officers and privates together, while behind orderlies could be seen running off the horses, and hospital stewards were carry- ing stretchers here and there to be ready to receive the dead and wounded. Here we all waited in the keenest anxiety for the booming of the first gun, which was to usher in the conflict. The day had
dawned, but imagine our surprise when a soldier appeared shouting in a loud voice, "New Madrid is evacuated." We did not, we could not believe it. "He means that New Madrid is evacuated," said the colonel. And it was true; pickets and skirmishers coming soon con- firmed the announcement. The rebels, in anticipation of our attack (and perhaps still more in anticipation of those "coming events which east their shadows before" in the fall of their stronghold at Columbus) had fled during the night, and abandoned all. A cavalryman seized the colors of the lowa Fifth and planted it on the battery. Not a rebel gun-boat or river craft of any kind was to be seen, and soon the stars and stripes were waiving over the deserted breastworks. Such was the haste of the valiant Southrons that they had forgotten to take in their pickets, and three of them were found asleep in a tent. They were a little astonished when they found that the works had changed hands. From the official reports, which your readers have doubtless seen, you can learn the amount of property, stores, ete., seized. The rebels left candles burning in their tents, biscuit half baked in the ovens, clothes, guns, everything. The lower fort mounts fourteen guns, nearly all of the larger calibre and most perfect finish. Traces were here percepti- ble of hot work of the day before. One columbiad was partially dismounted, while a twelve-pounder piece had been struck in the side by one of our large balls, and deeply indented. All the guns had been spiked, but through the exertions of Colonel Bissell, of the engineer regiment, they were in readiness again in an hour. The upper fort mounts four guns, and is surrounded by a deep trench, outside of which is an abatis to obstruct attacks from a storming party of infantry. Inside of these works were found a quintity of tents constructed after the Sibley patent, sufficient for three thousand men. Hall barrels of flour, sugar and molasses were scattered in all directions. Whatever the condition of the secesh may be in other respects, they are far from starvation. The citizens of the town had taken refuge in the fort, and French bedsteads, easy-chairs, gilt mirrors, sofas, centre-tables and other appliances of luxury and wealth were to be met with on every hand. If the earthquake of 1812 destroyed the old town of Madrid, the rebellion of 186t has more than rivaled it in the demolition of the new town. The vandals burned whole streets of the finest residences, and laid splendid orchards flat with the ground to get a range for their guns. A large seminary had been turned into a hospital, and the walls of some of the rooms had been adorned, evidently by native artists with designs representing the Republican leaders. In one Old Abe is seated on the hobby-horse Slavery embracing Seward lovingly; underneath is written, "Abraham Lincoln, the first tyrant and despot, who sought to overthrow American independence and subjugate south- ern freemen."
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The Fifth regiment was quartered in some houses which, fortunately for us, had escaped destruction. Con pany E had the good fortune to have allotted to it a very nice, tidy house, with capacious rooms, and furnished with fireplaces. Fires were soon built, the coffee kettle hung over the cheery blaze, and everything available brought into requisition for a glorious square meal. A stalwart lowa boy finds a jar of honey in an obscure corner, and is bearing it off in triumph, when a lieuten- ant sings out,
"Hold on, there, don't eat that; it is poisoned."
"Wal, it may be," says our hero, "but I've got an antidote agin pizen, and I can't bear to see such things around in the way." And off he goes in great glee.
The rebels found time before they left to pitch a light field battery into the river, and Colonel Bissell, with his engineers, has been busy in getting ont the caissons, but has not succeeded yet in finding any of the cannon. According to the most reliable estimates the confederate force here must have been at least twelve thousand strong. General McCown was in command, and if they had been so disposed they could have sustained a hard siege. We are awaiting the denouement of affairs at Island No, 10. The firing of our mortar fleet is plainly heard. Part of our division has moved down to Point Pleasant, and are erecting some heavy works there. Telegraphic communication is opened to Sikeston, the nearest railroad station, and dispatches can be sent direct to St. Louis.
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. LV.
NEW MADRID, MISSOURI, April 11, 1862.
DEAR GUARDIAN :- We are all very busy, and expect to leave here next Sunday. You have heard of all our recent triumphs ; how the gun-boat Carondelet ran the blockade, despite the stream of shot and shell that was poured upon her ; and also how the transports succeeded in getting around by the chute. All this has been accomplished.
Last Monday Hamilton's division crossed the river, and proceeded
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
by the land route to Tiptonville. While on the way we were informed that Island No. 10 had been evacuated, and that Payne had cut off the retreat of six thousand rebels, taking them prisoners. At Tiptonville we found the prisoners-a hard-looking set, ignorant, dirty, and ragged. Some rich scenes occurred, which 1 will describe when [ have more time. Throughout the whole of Tennessee the rebels are panic- stricken, and many of the prisoners are better contented with their present situation than any they have been in since the war began. Said a rebel captain to me: "We are not fighting for slavery. It is a terri- torial question with us. You people at the north want to carve us out into new States, and that we won't submit to." Quite an original idea, I thought, and one that Wendell Phillips never thought of. . We have taken a number of heavy siege guns, destroyed three rebel batteries, with smaller arms-from the old flint-lock musket to the Sharpe rifle --- without number. The importance of these recent victories cannot be overestimated. The river is now open to Federal vessels to Fort Ran- dolph, and craft of every description are crowding down the river. We are now in a painful state of suspense about the battle of Corinth. The general impression is that Grant has been defeated. The whole army here is soon to move southward. We have been much interested in the Guardian of April Ist, and all feel much indebted to S. J. W. T. for his eloquent tribute to the memory of our departed friend and comrade, Lieutenant Jordan. The members of our company are well, and sick- ness in the regiment decreasing.
Adieu,
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. LVI.
FROM THE NINTH, IN CAMP AT GALENA, MISSOURI, } April 9, 1862.
I should have written to you before, but on the morning of the fifth we were suddenly ordered to march. We knew nothing of our desti- nation, but soon found ourselves moving eastward. At Cassville, we left the Springfield road, taking a southeasterly course. We have marched over a rough, mountainous road crossing the Ozark river, and after meeting many hindrances from streams, etc., last night found us standing in the rain in the town of Galena, waiting for our team train to come up, which did not arrive until after dark. Our camp is on the right bank of the James river, which we expect to cross to-day; and as the river is quite rapid, it is a very difficult feat. We shall make a bridge for the infantry to pass on by driving the wagons in for abut- ments. The point we are making for, and the object of this move through such a rough country, are matters about which 1 can give you no information.
As we passed through Cassville, we learned that Lieutenant and Mrs. Wright were within an hour's ride of that place. The expressions of the men upon hearing this would have done you good. They all look upon him as one of their best friends, and they think there are few such women as Mrs. Wright. No lady could be more warmly welcomed into the company. They overtook us the second night from Cassville. I cannot better express to you the feelings of the company than by stat- ing the fact that, the next day, those present of our company made up a purse of ninety-three dollars for the doctor and his wife, each man being eager to do his share, and giving with the greatest cheerfulness. It was presented in consideration of what the Doctor and Mrs. Wright have done, and are still doing, for them, out of the abounding kindness of their hearts. Yesterday, the ambulances having been sent back to Cassville for some purpose, Mrs. Wright had to ride in one of our wagons, which had the misfortune to upset. Almost miraculously, she escaped without serious injury, and appears quite well this morning.
J. P. SAMPSON.
LETTER NO. LVII.
STEAMER MEMPHIS, April 16, 1862.
FRIEND RICH: After the surrender of Number 10, 1 had an op- portunity of visiting it, thus satisfying a curiosity heightened by the indolence of a twenty-five days' siege. The island covers about three hundred acres, and was owned by a wealthy planter, who, of course, long since deserted it, leaving his buildings and extensive stores of corn to become the prey of ruthless invaders. The residence is near the centre of the island; and, a little to one side, is a beautiful peach or- chard, now in full bloom. It is just here that the effect of our shells is most apparent ; vast excavations where they fell, jagged pieces of the destructive globes scattered everywhere, trees upheaved, or immense limbs torn off, a general scattering of everything movable, all attest their destructive power. Still, the batteries which are situated on the river bank escaped material injury, or, if injured, had been perfectly repaired at the date of our occupancy. The prisoners asserted stoutly
that only two men were killed on the island during the whole boni- bardment. The garrison consisted of only three hundred men-the main force being upon the Tennessee shore-and as they could see the approaching shells, it is quite possible that they became adepts in hunting their holes.
The batteries were found not to be as strong as had been supposed. They were principally at the head of the island, and mounted, in all, eighteen guns, rating as follows: Ten smooth thirty-two's, three rifled thirty-two's, one of which had been burst, and one rifled twenty-four. There were, besides, five thirty-two's not mounted. Only three of the guns were spiked. Two-thirds of the prisoners were Irishmen, who had been pressed into the service, and consequently were without heart in it. They stated that when the gunboats ran the blockade, many of the guns were purposely elevated so as to carry over. This may be an invented excuse to hide their miserable gunnery.
The transports of the expedition are now lying ten miles above the first Chickasaw Bluffs, upon which are fortifications more or less for- midable. But little firing has been done on either side at this point. Of course we know nothing of the plans of, attack, but the work is evidently to be accomplished principally by strategy, as at Number Ten. U'nbounded confidence is felt by the soldiery in the engineering ability and generalship of Flag Officer Foote and General Pope. Meantime, it is somewhat gratifying to know that we are only seventy- five miles above Memphis.
J. L. LOOMIS.
LETTER NO. LVIII.
STEAMER EMILIE, April 17, 1862.
FRIEND RICH :- On the evening of the 12th instant, Hamilton's di- vision embarked on board the steamers lying at New Madrid, and were soon steaming southward, with the avowed purpose of paying Fort Pillow a visit. Point Pleasant, Tiptonville, and landings of inferior note, were soon passed. At nearly all these points the rebels had erected batteries which they supposed would be an effective bar to any federal flotilla that might be venturesome enough to attempt the pas- sage ; but the gunboats have upset all their calculations. The battery erected opposite Point Pleasant, had been completely demolished. One howitzer had been knocked by a shell clear from the carriage, and lay down the embankment, its muzzle buried in the dirt. The timber around looked as if a violent hurricane had passed, leaving nothing in its track but splintered trunks and torn and twisted branches. Appar- ently the whole country is deserted, not a man woman or child of the white genus being in sight, while their dusky servants, now tenants-at- will of the mansions, appeared at the doors, waving vigorously their turbans, or whatever articles of apparel they could get hold of. The wide waste of muddy waters, bordered with their fringe of silent cot- tonwoods, the cornfields with their prostrate fences and untilled soil- all go to form a scene of indescribable loneliness and desolation. Stand- ing on the deck of a steamer one appears to be floating over the country. Far as the eye can reach, at some points, the land is covered with water, and still the leaden sky pours down more rain. Some of the timerous ones on shore are suggesting the propriety of building an ark, while others assert that the Mississippi is leagued with the federal government, to wipe out the southern confederacy, filling up as it does, every old bayou for them to run their gunboats around in, and wash- ing away the secesh forts. There is no denying that the high water has been favorable to the fleet, while it has retarded the movements of the land forces. The lowest point reached by our boats is one hundred and sixty miles below Cairo, opposite Manson, and eight miles above Fort Randolph. Here the steamers were made fast to the shore, and reconnoissances ordered to. ascertain the strength and position of the enemy. All active operations are made impossible hy the high water. From below Tiptonville to this place, there is not a single point where troops can be landed. In view of this a retrograde movement has been ordered and the whole fleet, as 1 write, is steaming back to New Madrid again.
Much excitement exists in regard to the battle of Pittsburgh Land- ing, and many censure Grant for what they are pleased to call "his carelessness." The enemy has fallen back to Corinth, and all accounts represent him as preparing for a tremendous fight, with a force, some say, of eightty thousand. Corinth is to the rebels a very important strategetical point. It controls their line of communication between the Atlantic and the gulf seaboard.
April 17th, 6 P. M .- Reached New Madrid last night and waited for the rest of the fleet to come up when we continued our progress up the river. Had a fair chance to view the enemy's works at Island No. 10. It seemed impossible for any force ever to have taken it, but it lost its value when the gunboats were below it. April 18th. 6 A. M .- Reached
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Cairo last night, and shall soon be on our way for the Tennessee river. Other troops have taken our place at New Madrid. Our friend Oscar rejoined us yesterday, looking quite well. The boys are making up a package of things for Independence.
C. J. R.
LETTER NO. LIX.
FROM THE FOURTH CAVALRY, } SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, April 10, 1862. )
Since my last we have had a little excitement here. Twice, within a week, we have been called out in the night, expecting an attack. On Friday night last we received news that some one thousand of Price's cavalry had crossed White river at Forsyth, and were marching on this place, with the intention of surprising us, which they would have succeeded in doing, but for the sudden rise of the river making it un- fordable. So much time would necessarily be consumed in ferrying the force, that the surprise was abandoned. This was two days before we heard of it and the distance only fifty miles; so that, but for a lucky shower, they would in all probability have succeeded in wiping out this post, as there are no troops -here except our regiment and three com panies of the lowa Third cavalry. There is a large amount of stores and transportation at this pott to reward a successful forage of that kind.
Last night we heard that Island No. fo was taken, and also that General Grant had whipped Beauregard, in Tennessee, and we had a grand parade in honor thereof. I hear also that General Curtis is marching to Forsyth, and will probably go down White river in search of Price, he being, it is supposed, somewhere in that direction. It is a positive fact, however, that there is never absolute knowledge of his position until the battle commences. He can raise an army, or put one out of sight, by some "hocus pocus" that is altogether unaccountable. One thing is certain, these butternut-clad devils are harder to subdue than anything east of the Mississippi. They will continue to fight for three years after peace is declared-may not hear the news even in that time. They are mostly mounted, and can move with great rapidity. Each man takes six day's rations on his horse, which consists of a sack of corn meal and a piece of bacon, no tents or baggage of any kind, and he is prepared for a march of from one to two hundred miles. I do not believe we shall move from here in two weeks, as it is impossible to get forage below this, and by that time, grass will be abundant. Peach trees are in blossom, and leaves putting out finely; although it has been a very cold, backward spring, and last night we had a heavy white frost. G. B. P.
LETTER NO. LX.
DAVENPORT, CAMP MCCLELLAN, April 22, 1862.
FRIEND RICH :- There has been a great excitement in camp to-day, occasioned by the appearance of a steamer coming up the river with three hundred and fifty prisoners on board. Their destination is Prairie du Chien. One poor fellow died while the boat was stopping at Davenport. His name I did not learn. It is entirely a melancholy sight to see a man lie down in death while a prisoner in a strange land, and yet how many of our brave men have met the same fate.
Yesterday we were called upon to stand around the death-bed of our friend and companion in arms, J. H. Ginther. He died of typhoid fever, after an illness of only eight days. The first few days of his ill- ness he endured much pain, but his last hours were calm and peaceful, and his last words were of the loved ones at home. Deeply do we sympathize with his bereaved parents and friends, and with sad hearts we bid a long farewell to him that is gone.
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