History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 49

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 49

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

expect to find in Egypt. Several gun-boats are lying in the Ohio op- posite to us. They are formidable looking monsters, with low slant- ing, iron-clad sides, pierced by thirteen heavy guns. When next they pay their compliments to the foe it may not be impossible that we may "be there to see." Day before yesterday I paid a visit to the far famed mortar boats. There are twenty-one of them lying near the shore, in the Ohio, about a mile above town. 1 boarded one of them ; and, to get a proximate idea of its dimensions, measured it with a stick. 1 made it sixty feet long, by twenty-five wide. Two heavy pieces of timber pass entirely round the boat, making a breastwork about two feet high. Iron-plating, half an inch thick, fastened to the outside of these timbers, rises about seven feet above the deck, forming a complete defence against any rebel sharpshooters from the shore. These plates are pierced by thirty-two holes, evidently for sharpshoot- ers stationed behind them. The mortars are mounted npon a heavy platform near the centre of the bont. The one 1 examined weighs seventeen thousand one hundred and sixty-eight pounds, and was cast at Fort Pitt in 1861. The bore is thirteen inches in diameter, and the casting is fifteen inches thick. I tried to lift one of the shells, but did not succeed. The boys are generally in pretty good health, and are anxious to move down the river.

E. P. BAKER.

LETTER NO. LXXXIII.

NINTH IOWA, HELENA, ARKANSAS, } November 8, 1862.

FRIEND RICH :- The expedition under Colonel Vandever returned last night. They went as far as Clarendon, on the White river. They captured eighteen or twenty, killed eight and the number of wounded was not ascertained. Our lost was eight wounded and one killed. Five of the wounded belong to the Fourth Towa cavalry, two lieutenants of company H. and three privates. Captain Perkins, formerly of Quas- queton, was in command of the Fourth cavalry. The boys all speak in the highest praise of his bravery. The Fourth will yet earn a name, if they can have men to lead them who will fight.

The men that were captured with thirty wagons, some three weeks since, came in under a flag of truce, last Saturday. The rebels had taken from them the most of their clothing, and, in return, dressed them in their secesh rags. I came near getting myself into trouble with one of them by asking what guerilla band he belonged to, and when he was taken. He told me not to think he was a secesh, as he belonged to the Fifth Illinois cavalry. He said that the rebels made him take off his clothes, and told him that he could put on their old rags or go without, just as he pleased. Of course I apologized, and left him asseverating, in the strongest possible terms, that he should strip the first well dressed rebel that he could take and turn him loose in the woods. The prisoners brought in yesterday are a rough looking set. One of them told me that he was a conscript, and belonged to Johnson's Arkansas Forty-second regiment. He said that he was coming home sick when our scouts met him; that he was forced into the service ; but they never could make him fire at a U'nion man. He claims that hundreds feel as he does, but that they cannot help them- selves. I talked with another, a Texan ranger, and a good specimen of the real secesh. He was quite defiant, and said we had no busi- ness down here. All they asked of us was to let them alone; that every community had a right to a government of their own if they wanted one -- and that was the kind of liberty they were fighting for. And further, if the south should fail to gain her liberty, Texas was go- ing back to Mexico. Commissioners were already conferring with ref- erence to such a contingency, and all the necessary steps had been taken to confirm a reunion. He had evidently forgotten that Uncle Sam was quite familiar with the route to that land of abortive re- publics]. R. W. W.

LETTER NO. LXXXIV.

LA GRANGE, TENNESSEE, November 1, 1862.

FRIEND RICH :- At last your humble correspondent finds himself oc- cupying a bunk in the general hospital at La Grange; and, of course, under these new and peculiar eircumstances, feels somewhat nervous in addressing the readers of the Guardian. After perambulating the whole State of Missouri, drinking the muddy waters of the Mississippi beneath the frowning guns of Fort Pillow, racing over the pine-clad hills of Tishomingo, indulging in one or two small fights, foraging hogs, yams, and turkeys from the secesh, now to be disabled and con- fined in a hospital, when on the eve of still greater pleasures and triumphs, is positively disgusting. The quinine and beef-soup brigade are undoubtedly entitled to much glory, but I hardly like their system of drill, which consists in fitting a fellow with a tieket, good for any

amount of nauseous drugs-shaving his head until he looks likea howl- ing dervise, and getting him ready in the quickest possible time for the coffin, waiting for him in the quarterinaster's hands. It must be ro- mantic, and all that, to have it go forth to the world that a brave Un- ion soldier is suffering and pining away in the hospital with a lame foot caused by long tramps over the rough roads of the Hatchee, after Price; hut candor compels the acknowledgment, that the present disa- bility was the consequence of a violent sprain, received, not in a chase after Price, but in eager pursuit of a fine porcine acknowledging the belligerent rights of the Confederacy. And now, my only consolation, as I turn in my bunk o' nights, and try to get the offending member into an easy posture, is the reflection that 1 returned to camp trium- phant, where I was greeted with the warmest demonstrations of welcome by the ragged, hungry, funny mess, comprising the simple ones of com- pany E, Fifth regiment, Iowa volunteers.

La Grange is, without exception, the most beautiful town in west Tennessee. It is situated on the Corinth & Mississippi railroad, forty- seven iniles from the latter place, and a short distance west of the Grand Junction. The surrounding country is lovely in the extreme, and very rich in natural productions. This valley of the Chuarhad and Hatchee rivers comprises the cream of the State; and here, if anywhere, are to be seen evidences of southern prosperity. Along the rivers heavy forests of oak, beech, cypress, and sycamore abounds; further back, fine rolling plains succeed, dotted with broad plantations, which, in times of peace, were rich with vast fields of corn and cotton. La Grange was the centre of a flourishing inland trade, and, during the summer months, was much resorted to by the southern grandees, on account of its natural beauties and salubrious climate. Here are wav- ing trees, leafy walks, flowery gardens, and spacious parks. There, to the east, winds the silvery Hatchee, with its dark fringe of pines, while other trees, in their autumn tintings, add the charm of vivid coloring to a landscape which has few equals in this portion of our fair land. The town is built without regard to chessboard exactness in angles and lines, and this can well be pardoned in consideration of the numerous residences with charming grouuds attached, thrown in here and there, where nature's unerring finger pointed to a fine building spot. Rare shrubbery, native and exotic, bright parteres of flowers and sparkling fountains, give ample testimony that these were the homes of taste and refinement. I speak in the past tense, for now they are deserted, or oc- cupied by negroes and orderlies, who are attached to the various head- quarters. A few citizens, mostly women and children, remain; but the few ladies who promenade the streets, flaunt their silks haughtily, and would consider themselves disgraced to admit a Federal soldier within speaking distance. But let the ragged, dusty butternut, captured by our cavalry scouts, come "dragging his slow length along," and forthwith, though an utter stranger, they will meet him as if he was their dearest friend, and lavish every attention upon him. Many families have been reduced from a state of affluence to the extremest poverty; and it is sad to witness the destitution that everywhere prevails. All the stores, with the exception of one hardware concerr., were closed months ago; and for groceries and other necessary articles, the little that was pro- cured, was smuggled through by way of Grenada. No sooner is a Federal sutler located than his shop is besieged with women and chil- dren anxious to get a glimpse of northern goods. Confederate scrip is freely offered, but it has few takers. Not a negro but is aware of its utter worthlessness; and I have seen them pull out handfulls of the dirty shinplasters in exchange for hard crackers. Mr. Memminger's attention had better be turned to the condition of his finances, as the vignette of Mrs. Pickens is at a sad discount at La Grange. On one of the finest of these great estates, his residence just out of town, lives a planter whose property, in 1861, was worth two hundred thousand dollars. Being a firm adherent of Jeff Davis & Co. he gave of money and negroes freely, and later his plantation became a sort of general rendezvous for straggling parties of guerillas, who lived high, plunder- ing the trains on the road and burning down bridges. Four of his sons are in the rebel army, and the old traitor would take the field him- self were it not for the gout, which confines him the most of the time to his room. Since the advent of Federal soldiers the old man has come out, and, as he watches the long columns defile past his spacious grounds amuses himself by heaping curses upon the Yankee thieves, as he is pleased to call us. In their eagerness to secure his chickens and yams the soldiers almost run over him, and, frantic with rage, he applied to the general for a safeguard. "Hang out the stars and stripes, " said the general, "that is all the safeguard you need." "Not while my name is Morris"-and back he went, minus chickens, horses, and negroes.

Nearly in the centre of the town stands the female seminary-a fine

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

building, surrounded with a splendid park filled with forest trees. The semblance of a school is still kept, but the number of pupils can not exceed thirty; and the preceptress, who always attends them, adheres, in her costume and stately manner, to the times of Queen Elizabeth. She looks with a kind of pleased surprise upon the soldiers as they pass through the streets, and you can easily believe that she is not conscious of any ill-feeling between the North and South. If so, she exhibits a coolness and self-control that is highly commendable, and in a striking contrast to the prevailing style of manners among southern ladies in presence of northern soldiery,

General Grant has taken up quarters in a small house of most un- pretending appearance, and evidently intends making this his base of operations. Our advance now occupies Holly Springs, and the two wings of the army stretch out east and west on the Memphis & Corinth railroad. Quinby's division is now at Moscow, ten miles west, on the railroad, and will probably remain there for some time. This is a severe disappointment to many who were confident, two weeks ago, that a general forward movement was to be made. Instead of this, our troops are lying on the ground, exposed to all the inclemencies of the season, while the enemy are quietly entrenching themselves at Abbe- ville. Our men have met and measured their strength with the enemy, and have overthrown him in every instance. Why, now, should they be held back, when a vigorous campaign of four weeks would close the war in the southwest? The intelligent contrabands still continue to arrive in vast numbers, and are sent north or detailed for duty around the various hospitals. They make excellent hospital waiters, are patient, willing, and obedient, and are very useful. The general hos- pital, under Surgeons Culvertson and Darrow, of the lowa Fifth, is established here. l'he college building is used, and can be made to accommodate five hundred patients.

VERITAS.

LETTER NO. LXXXV. *

[The following is a private letter from Colonel Lake to the editor of the Guardian .- E. I'.]

ON STEAMER EMERALD, BETWEEN FORT PILLOW AND MEMPHIS, November 22, 1862. )

FRIEND Rich :- We left Cairo, Illinois, on the evening of Wednes- day, the 20th instant, with directions to report at Columbus to Brig- adier General T. O. Davis, commandant of that post. We arrived there about 9 P. M. of the same day, and immediately reported at head- quarters. The general had retired, but his adjutant gave us orders to report immediately to General Sherman, at Memphis. We had been warned by General Tuttle, before leaving Cairo, that we should be sent to Memphis without doubt, so that these orders were not unlooked for, and, besides, they were what we wanted. The boat immediately started out, and ran down near the famous Island No. ro, where we lay until morning. There our boys went ashore and cooked breakfast, and were ready to start at daylight. A gun-boat lay at anchor toward the lower end of the island, but we were allowed to pass without being brought to, or asked to give an account of ourselves. The boat ran all day without landing, meeting several steamers going up, loaded with confiscated cotton, contrabands, mules, etc., including a few rebel prisoners. At night we stopped under the protection of the guns of Fort Pillow, now known on the war maps as Fort Wright. The Fifty- second Indiana is encamped here. They cost the Government nothing for subsistence, as they take horses, cattle, corn and cotton enough to pay all expenses. Just as we were leaving there this morning, several loads of cotton came in for sale. An agent is stationed here to pur- chase that article. He has a permit from the provost marshal to buy, but has to take a bill of sale of the men from whom he buys, and buys only from those who have taken the oath of allegiance. Several gun- boats are stationed along the river, to prevent guerilla parties from firing into boats as they pass.

We see but few plantations in passing down the river, and the scenery from Cairo thus far is very monotonous and dull. It consists principally of cottonwood trees and sand banks. Fort Pillow affords an exception. It is situated on a bluff that rises about one hundred feet above the river. The fort consists of earthworks, made with a great amount of labor, near the river banks. They were built in a manner that completely controlled the navigation of the river at this point, the guns being so situated that they could range up or down the stream; and, as competent engineers have decided, their construction was on scientific principles. The guns that were left here are all in-

jured in some way, so as to make them worthless. One sixty-pounder, mounted on the top of the bluff, and in such a manner as to command the road leading up the bluff, was blown up by first driving in a long ball, then a charge of powder, then another long ball, and then heating it by building a fire under the gun until the powder ignited. This took a piece some two feet long out of the gun, which was about eighteen inches thick around the bore. The slugs can now be seen in the gun. A thirteen inch mortar was halved one half was lying on the ground near its carriage, the other 1 did not see. One cannot pass over these works, which I have not time to describe fully, without wondering how the rebels ever did so much labor in so short a time.

We are now approaching Memphis, and I will write you again from there,

LETTER NO. LXXXV1.

CAMP, TWENTY-TWO MILES SOUTHEAST OF MEMPHIS, }

November 27, 1862. 1

FRIEND RICH :- The Twenty-seventh regiment, Iowa volunteers, finds itself encamped to-night at this point, on the road to Holly Springs. We left Memphis yesterday morning in three divisions, by three different roads. There were two brigades in each division, and five regiments of infantry in each brigade. This makes in all thirty regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and nine batteries of artillery-all under the command of Major General W. T. Sherman. The First division is under command of Brigadier General Denver; the Second under command of Brigadier General Smith; the third under Brigadier General Lauman, who is an Iowa man, and a good officer, and a good man.

The Twenty-seventh is in the Sixth brigade, under General Lauman. The brigade consists of the Twenty-seventh lowa, Thirty-third Wis- consin, One Hundred and Fourteenth and One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois, and Rogers' battery. When we left Memphis, the Third divi- sion was on the extreme right, the First in the centre, and the Second on the left. l'he First moved out on the Pigeon Roost, the Second on the Germantown, and the Third on the Hernando road. To-day at 12 o'clock the three divisions made a junction fifteen miles out from Memphis. This constitutes quite a formidable army corps. Together with the necessary trains it probably extends six or eight miles while on the march. I say probably, because it is impossible for me to find out its exact length.

Our destination is probably Holly Springs. Here the rebels are in strong force, having about thirty or forty thousand men, so it is report- ed. What is the strength of the Federal force already in their imme- diate vicinity, 1 do not know, neither do I know the number of men in this corps, but I judge we have over thirty thousand.

Members of the Twenty-seventh, and all other regiments, not well enough to walk and carry their knapsacks, were left behind to garrison Fort Pickering, and among these was Lieutenant Donnan. Probably it would be as well for those writing to their friends in the Twenty- seventh to direct their letters in the eare of the captain of the company, giving the letter of the company also, and then adding, Twenty-seventh regiment, Sixth brigade, under General Lauman, via Cairo, Illinois.

Of the proelivities political of these people, there can be but one opinion-they are all secesh, red hot, as one woman said to-dav. Their slaves are all in favor of going with the "Lincoln soldiers," as they call the Union troops. Each of the regiments in this corps has lots of black boys with them. They tote knapsacks and guns, and do all other kinds of labor willingly. The soldiers are not allowed to entice them away, but it a negro wishes to go with us, he is at liberty to go. Once with us he is as free as anyone, and is paid his regular wages, We see large fields of cotton unpicked and corn ungathered. The teams of all planters and farmers along the line of our march are taken and added to our train. The quartermasters and commissaries take corn fodder (hay and oats do not exist here), beef, pork, and all other arti- cles that are necessary for the sustenance of the army, giving memor- anda receipts for the same, the holder of which can get a voucher for the receipt by taking the oath of allegiance prescribed by the acts of Congress. We took to-day a mule from a Methodist minister. He complained to the commander of the brigade, who referred him to Colonel Gilbert. The Rev, - represented to the colonel that it was all the mule he had to ride the circuit with, and he wanted this one left. Colonel Gilbert told him if he would take the oath of allegiance, he would give up the mule. The preacher refused, and so our regiment has one more mule. . We have had lovely weather since we left Cairo, and this is a lovely country,

JED LAKE.

. From the Twenty-seventh lowa.

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

LETTER NO. LXXXVII .*

LAGRANGE, TENNESSEE, November 28, 1862.

FRIEND RICH :- I have but a few moments to write and can give only the most important items. Another general forward movement has commenced, and by this time the Thirteenth army corps is well on its way to Holly Springs, General Grant started at 3 P. M., and with his departure there was a regular exodus of sutlers and cullud pussons. All day long the baggage trains have been moving on the road, and the hindmost team is not now out of sight, There will be a large force left at La Grange, however, to protect the depot and Government buildings, which are very valuable. No transportation for the sick, of the respective regiments or corps, is now provided, and every man unfit for duty is left behind to the tender mercies of some post hospital. The college rooms are now full to overflowing, and still they come by wagon loads. Some are placed in the belfrey and some in the halls; while the floor of the cellar is covered with men who have had no medi- cine or food for days, The surgeons bluster and curse roundly, the nurses wilt beneath their labors, while the cooks fume and fret, with a piteous tale to every listener, of their attempts to make "bricks without straw." It really seems as if there must be some mismanagement in the medical department, else provision would have been made before- hand, for the patients who are now huddled together with no adequate facilities for their accommodation. Of course, many will be shipped north, but they will suffer a great deal before they find comfortable quarters. Probably more sickness exists now among the troops, than at any other time since the campaign commenced. The hot, sultry weather from August to the early part of the present month, when the ramy season began, accompanied with cold, have produced a harvest of lung diseases and typhoid pneumonia.

A writer in the Chicago Times lately made the statement that the army was overstocked with negroes, while the streets of La Grange were swarming with a ragged, hungry rabble, without food, or any visible means of support. The truth can be expressed in a few sen- tences. Every negro that is able and willing to work is furnished with employment forthwith, with pay at the rate of eight dollars per month, and rations drawn from the post commissary. There are not half enough of them to supply the demand, so that the timid ones of the north need have no apprehension of being flooded with negroes. For the present, at least, they are all wanted here. There is nothing of special importance from the advance. Our army is moving and the running or fighting qualities of Price will be tested in a few days.

VERITAS.

LETTER NO. LXXXVIII. Ť

CAMP AT CHULUHOMA, MISSISSIPPI, December 1, 1862.

FRIEND RICH :- we reached this place last evening and have been resting to-day. We are now fifty miles from Memphis, fifteen from Holly Springs, and thirty-five from Hernando. Our position is south- west of Holly Springs, and southeast of Hernando, on the road be- tween the two; and about seven miles from the main body of Grant's army. Our pickets are within four miles of his. The enemy are reported to be in full force at Abbeville, about eight miles from here, across the Tallahatchie river, a branch of the Vazoo. When we encamped here, we were drawn up in line of battle, with a color line extending over a mile, and a reserve of nearly equal length. The Thirty- third Wisconsin on the extreme left, Rogers' battery next, Twenty- seventh lowa, with the Twelfth Indiana in reserve. Then came the Fifth brigade on our right, and to the right and front of them is Gen- etal Duryea's division, consisting of the First and Second brigades.

Our sergeant major and C. H. Lewis have just come in from a scout, four miles out, and report that they were within half a mile of, and in sight of the rebel pickers. We may have a fight almost any day. We expect to attack them soon. Expect, I say, because movements look that way, but I have no other authority for saying so.

JED LAKE.

LETTER NO. LXXXIX.

IN CAMP ON HURRICANE CREEK, MISSISSIPPI, 1

December 7, 1862. 5

FRIEND RICH :- 1 have just returned from General Grant's army and the Fifth Iowa; more especially, though, to company E. There were faint rumors in our camp at Wyatt that the Fifth are some four or five miles from us, up the river, with Grant's corps. It was a rainy day and I did not start out to find them, But that evening, Waggoner Frank Noble, and several of the boys of the Fifth, came into our camp

and did not leave till morning. So I mounted Sam and went over with them. When we arrived where they were, they wern't there; but had started for Oxford. 1 thought the best way was to follow them, and see whether Grant's army made a better appearance on the march than we did.

Where the railroad from Holly Springs crosses the Tallahatchie, the rebels had prepared for a very obstinate defence, They had earth- works on both sides of the river, pierced for several guns, and rifle-pits sufficient for twenty thousand infantry. They had destroyed the rail- road bridge across the Tallahatchie, as well as the road bridge. The railroad from the river to Oxford, fourteen miles, had been nearly re- paired and several new bridges put in. They were compelled to leave so suddenly that they had not time to destroy the railroad. A lady in Oxford told me that there was but an hour between the leaving of the rear guards of Price's army and the arrival of the advance guard of Grant's army at that place. Our cavalry took between two and three hundred prisoners a short distance from Oxford, whom I saw on the march for Holly Springs.

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History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 49

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