History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 53

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

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meat with. And the aforesaid colonel, or general, or both, live in fine houses, with servants to wait upon them, and receive presents from the rebels in and about this place, for which we give them protection.

This is the reason we are so long in putting down this rebellion. If it had been, or was now, the policy of the generals in the field to use every means in their power to hunt the rebels, and in an authoritative manner take whatever there is in this country to subsist our armies upon, and then keep them moving in the direction of the enemy, it would be far better for our cause, and much more to the injury of the southern confederacy.

Our trip into Mississippi demonstrated the fact that the people of the south, where they have not been overrun by the enemy, have enough to live upon. Twenty thousand men in a body could, by using due pre- cautions, subsist upon the rebels, and move from Corinth to Mobile. . By such a course we could destroy the communications between the rebels in the east and in the west; and with thirty thousand men in the rear, and our ships of war in front, we might capture the rebel stronghold in a short time. This would hurt the rebellion in more ways than one, and would at the same time give heart and vigor to our men. As it is, men and officers are disgusted and discouraged with the inactivity that we are now undergoing. They came here with the hope of doing something to put down the rebellion. They want to be set to work to crush it out. They want to do it now, and return to their homes, their families, and their avocations,

But we are apt to think that splitting rails to repair secesh fences, living on spoiled pork in a country that abounds in plenty of good cattle and hogs, lying inactive in malarial camps until more fall by dis- ease than on the battlefield, is not quite the treatment that patriots had a right to expect.

LETTER NO. CVII.

C'AMP REED, February 4, 1863.

FRIEND RICH :- Our rain of two weeks is followed by a cool, pure, bracing atmosphere ; cool enough to remind us of Iowa winters, but moderating, under the influence of a southern sun, until we think of the gentle breezes of a mild April day.

There has been no movement of importance since I wrote you last. Each day we forage or do picket duty, as routine requires or generals deeide. Five companies of the regiment were yesterday detailed to go to Henderson Station, a point on the railroad, distant about twelve or fifteen miles Corinthward, to act as guard for a forage train. They took two day's rations, and were under command of Major Howard.

The health of the regiment is improving. There are now about one hundred and forty on the sick list, and some few at the hospitals in the city. One hospital is quite comfortable, yet most of the sick remain in quarters and report to the surgeons for treatment daily. In the city here there are several hospitals, where the sick are as kindly cared for as they can be away from home and home friends. The large and fine building, formerly occupied as a female seminary, is now converted in- to a hospital.

A court martial is being held in Jackson. Lieutenant Colonel Lake is in attendance. Of the business appertaining to it I have not tried to learn. It is, however, evidently quite extended, and may result in good to the army hereabouts. We have lived long enough in this land of military government, to understand something of the policy pur- sued by some of our leaders. I have never yet, with but one excep- tion, indulged in complaint against any one in any way connected with our army, in any of my communications. But an order which came to-day, tries my patience, and I must be allowed the privilege of per- mitting my thoughts to run away with my pen, and tell the simple story of our wrongs. A week or so ago there was a heavy fall of snow. There was no dry wood in the vicinity thit could be obtained by our troops. The only chance for getting it was from some green oak trees at hand. A neighbor lived hard by and his fence was near our camp. Our orders were not to get rails from the fence, and the boys say they did not, but some of the rails have been taken. The owner of these was one Parkman, whose loyalty 1 do not call in question ; but it does seem to me that, if he was a good union man, he would be willing to sacrifice a few rails for the benefit of the preservers of his property and his liberties. The order came to-day for our men to take their axes forthwith and rebuild that fence. The order was received with evident dissatisfaction by all the officers and men. Colonel Gilbert was sorry that such an order was issued, and would have given hundreds of dol- lars to have saved his men the disgrace of building that fence. Our regiment to-day is rebuilding the fence, but in a manner satisfactory to themselves.

Now is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

struggle for liberty ? Did the patriots who now fill our armies imagine that they were to wear their lives away on southern soil for such a pur- pose as this? Verily they did not. The fact in the case is simply this: There are too many, vastly too many traitor-like, treason-sympathizing devils among our leaders. A Murphy at Holly Springs could sleep re- posedly under the shadow of his cotton bales, though warned of his danger, until his little force was surprised and taken prisoners. . . ·

LATER :- The five companies detached to Henderson Station for the purpose of foraging, have not returned yet. Two of the five have gone some miles below Henderson to remain there for a few days. Those at Henderson, as do those below, are enjoying themselves quite well, living well, and being quartered in such receptacles as they have hastily constructed of loose boards and shingles. Lieutenant Rupee, of company C, is acting adjutant of the detachment, and reports to headquarters semi-weekly, on Sundays and Wednesdays. How long they will remain we do not know. Their tents and camp equipage are here. Colonel Dunham, commanding the brigade, will, it is hoped, soon reunite the regiment, that we may again appear on drill and dress- parade, in all the pomp of days of yore. This morning two other companies, R and F, were ordered to Jackson for provost guard until further orders. They struck tents, loaded their baggage and reported at the provost marshal's office at the court house. It is hoped, by those who remain in camp, that they will soon return. No doubt they will like their new duty until the novelty is worn away, and then they will be anxious to revisit their old comrades. Only three companies are now left in camp, H, C, and D. Captain Miller of company H, has been on the sick list for some time, his complaint being rheuma- tism. The command of the company devolves on the first lieutenant, O. Whitney, a good officer, and a long loved friend. Lieutenant Don- nan is, and has been for some time, at brigade headquarters, as act- ing aid-de-camp, on acting brigadier Dunham's staff. He is well liked up there, and appears to be, in turn, well pleased. Orderly Wilcox met with an accident a few days ago. Being unskilled in the use of an ax, in attempting to prepare wood for a fire, he struck the ball of his foot with the ax, injuring it quite seriously. Sergeant Smyzer is acting as orderly for Colonel Dunham. Mr. Woodward of company H is cooking at brigade headquarters, and G. Fuller of company C is clerking there. Captain Noble is well, and in the absence of officers, has been officer of the day for consecutive days. Lieutenant Sill is quite unwell, and is in the hospital. Lieutenant Hemmenway is healthy and stirring. Orderly Poor is always on hand to perform his duties. I would I had room in this sheet for the name of each noble man of the two companies from your part of the county, and also for a statement, which if just, would be very creditable to them. .

C. H. L.

LETTER NO. CVIII.

HELENA, ARKANSAS, February 5, 1863.

FRIEND RICH :- It may be amusing to some of your non-military readers to note some of the various subterfuges resorted to in the army to accomplish certain ulterior objects. Among other things it is amus- ing to watch the by play in sending flags of truce between the opposing armies. In nine cases out of ten the ostensible business of the flag is nothing but a subterfuge, the real object being to obtain all the informa- tion possible concerning the position and movements of the enemy. The usual fit out of the Confederacy, as they present themselves at our posts, is, one colonel or major, one captain or lieutenant, and six to ten enlisted men, all evidently gotten up for the occasion, in uniforms, but betraying the fit up in the fact that no two of them are uniformed alike. All are profuse in military buttons, but of different nationalities-Eng- lish, French, United States. The men are all selected for their size and military appearance, and this selection usually results in producing three out of every four Texans, most of them New England born, en- terprising, daring, robust fellows, men whose personal acquaintance you are very apt to make in a fight, before you see any of the sallow, cadaverous natives of Dixie. All are mounted upon United States horses, captured from us, and ditto for their arms and horse equip- ments. When in our camp, if allowed to enter, they are treated to the best the camp affords in eatables and drinkables, everybody being pro- fuse in apologies about the fare, out of rations just now, etc. Which statement, coupled with the visible profusion, causes the rank and file of the Confederacy to stare in blank astonishment, but doubtless the officers all understand the ruse.

In return for all this, when we are about to send out a flag, a private order is sent to the different regiments to furnish so many of their larg- est and finest looking men, mounted on the finest Confederate horses. A new issue is made of selected uniform clothing, with arms cleaned

and polished to perfection, and it is not uncommon to see captains and lieutenants in the escort, in the uniform of privates, and perhaps doing duty as grooms or orderlies. And this often gives the officer in com- mand a chance for some amusement at their expense, and you may be sure he exacts prompt attention to their assumed duties. In displays of this kind we can eclipse the Confederacy. Seeing one of our pri- vates in full dress usually calls out the inquiry from a native Arkansite, what rank the uniform betokens. Our friend, Joe Williams being, questioned in regard to his rank, when in Brownsville on escort duty, replied, "I expect to be governor of Arkansas soon; but, at present, I am a high private in squadron B, Fourth Iowa cavalry."

Much is continually being said about the thieving propensities of the soldiers, and most of it is true, for it could not well be overstated. The fact is, one thief will set a whole regiment to stealing. It begins in this way: one man steals some of the articles belonging to a soldier's outfit, the second man retaliates by picking up the first article of the kind which he finds " lying around loose ;" and so ad infinitum, until nothing is safe unless your hand is upon it. But still it is true that the morals of some regiments is much below that of some others. While brigaded with and camped alongside the Ninth Iowa, property of all kinds was unmolested, but the moment the Thirty-fourth Indiana came into our brigade everything disappeared as if by magic.

The Thirteenth Illinois and Fourth lowa infantry stand preeminent in feats of purloining, and which of the companies jeally excelled the others was an open question until a circumstance which occurred a few weeks since decided the contest in favor of the former. Both regiments lost each a man by death in one night. In the morning a squad of men was detailed in each regiment to dig a grave for their comrade. The detail from the Fourth were first on the ground, and that from the Thirteenth approaching and seeing the work of their neighbors pro- gressing satisfactorily, quietly withdrew until the grave was completed, and then, wisely timing their operations, they brought the body from the Thirteenth, buried it, and retired. Judge the amazement and dis- comfiture of the rightful proprietors of the grave when they arrived soon after, to find "love's labor lost." This is a tough story, but it actually occurred.

Did space permit 1 might relate many characteristic doings, varying from the most piquant and harmless wit, to another class of questiona- ble propriety, not to say downright impiety and blasphemy. But as I am afraid the reputation of the army as a whole would not gain by these revelations, 1.refrain, and subscribe myself, as ever,

Yours truly, GEORGE B. PARSONS.

LETTER NO. CIX.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-SEVENTH REGT. IOWA VOLS.,

CAMP REED, JACKSON, TENN., February 10, 1863. S

FRIEND RICH :- You will perceive that the Twenty-seventh is still in the vicinity of Jackson, a very snug little town in a peaceful time, but at present presenting a rather dilapidated appearance in many respects. The streets are not in a very good condition, as they have been cut up for the purpose of entrenching and barricading against sudden surprise. There are long lines of breastworks built entirely of cotton bales, which encumber and destroy the beauty of the walks and grounds. We don't seem now to be threatened with attack by any large force at this place, therefore we employ ourselves, most of the time, in getting in Jeff Davis' corn crop, and, as it is pretty large, there will be employment for our brigade for some time to come. 1 begin to fear that Jeff has forgotten to publish any proclamation in reference to getting in a new crop; I hope, therefore, that some of his northern sympathizers will remind him of this. And let them bear in mind, too, that there will be a few rails to split, as the fences are in shocking bad condition. They will find it pretty hard to let a contract, as most of the darkies went off on a visit about the first of the year and have not yet returned. Now I would like to give a little advice to a cer-

tain class of people who are just now making a great clamor. They evidently think that, by scattering the seeds of treason among the sol- diers, they will get tired and begin to denounce the war; but in this they will be gloriously mistaken. We enlisted for the war and to whip the rebels, and will do it or die trying. That pitiful cry of "Peace" is all a sham. The rebels of the south have more manliness than that. They don't ask for any peace short of their independence. No, they must be conquered-whipped, if you like the phrase better-and it would have been accomplished ere this had it not been for this horde of northern traitors. The true sentiment of the sol- dier will soon begin to he transmitted to the north, and you will find this to be a universal cry -- "Conquer, or die." When the rebels come up and lay down their arms, and deliver up their leaders, then I say

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Peace," and not till then. One or two good victories more and you will see the planters of Tennessee and northern Mississippi begin to cry, "Hold, enough." 1 tell you, Mr. Rich, that the prospect of rais- ing a crop in this country to feed the citizens alone is out of the ques- tion entirely for the coming season, let alone the feeding of the rebel army. This state of things cannot last long. The rebel government was never in so bad a condition before, and the worse the condition, the louder the talk. This is why Mr. Foote talks so loud about a sepa- ration between the west and the New England States, and leaving the latter out in the cold. Now this looks cruel in him-and then the States west of the Rocky mountains he gobbles down all at once for his own benefit. Doesn't it look as though they needed all these States in order to give them room to spread themselves in ? They have now scarcely room enough to die in. They see the ground fast sliding from under them. Mark my words, they are just gone up, but they will die hard.

Well, we have not had a fight yet, but we are not to blame for this. Somehow or other we cannot catch the rebels, they always step out at the back door as the Twenty-seventh goes in at the front. We had the pleasure of helping to drive Generals Pemberton and l'rice across the Tallahatchie, and also of driving General Forrest over the Tennessee river, both times getting within cannon shot of them. At Parker's Cross Roads we were a few hours too ate. These lare some of the rea- sons why we have not been in a fight. I know one lit- tle company of fifty men that never seemed in better spirits than when they expected to be attacked every moment by an overwhelming cavalry force, but they came only within bugle-hearing of us. But enough of this. I will give my word for it, that the Twenty-seventh will neither dishonor its flag or its State. The only complaint I have heard of the Twenty-seventh is that they march too fast for the artillery and cavalry. This could not be helped under certain circumstances, as, for instance, when, on our last march, the boys were homeward bound, and had left three days' rations in their tents. There is nothing to save this south- ern country from famine. In less than eighteen months, unless they lay down their arms in time to plant this coming season, we of the north will have to feed them with Yankee corn and pork, A great many of the planters begin to look at it in rather a serious way -- their last crop is raised until the war closes. J. D. NOBLE.

CAMP OF THE FIFTH IOWA, NEAR MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, } February 13. 1863.

MR. EDITOR :- You wished to hear from company E in the absence of your regular correspondent, and I will try to relieve the monotony of camp life, for there is a subject to contemplate at present, of suffi- cient interest to break the spell which seems to charm the soldier into listlessness and inaction in his tent, while off duty.

Yes, there are many grave and important subjects to contemplate, the consideration of which is due to the soldiers in the field and in the camp, as well as to the statesman in the halls of Congress. He who has left home, friends and connections, and exchanged all for the tented field, to fight the battles of his country, should have an expres- sion in the great questions now agitating, I might say convulsing, the nation.

I believe, with few exceptions, the army is satisfied that no better system can be inaugurated for conducting the war than the present; and I believe also that if appropriations for that purpose were judi- ciously expended, and the armies properly officered and wisely ap- pointed and managed, the question in regard to our national existence would soon be settled. Mistakes have been made, but notwithstanding, our armies have been crowned with many signal victories, and I believe before many months pass our old flag, the original stars and stripes, will again float to the breeze, all over our broad land.

At present I think we have more to fear from the enemies of the Government in our rear than from those in our front. Those in our rear, called by the soldiers "northern Tory Democrats," who seem to be doing all they can to embarrass the administration and give success to the rebellion, will eventually receive their reward with the common traitors of our country. The soldiers often express themselves in bitter terms, and how could it be otherwise, against the traitors at home, and say the whole nation shall be renovated, as they can see no distinction between traitors north and traitors south; and they feel that they could willingly sacrifice all, their lives if need be, to know that they were be- queathing to their children a country free from the foul stain of trea- son, secession and slavery. Yes, the old flag shall again wave, though torn and tarnished in many a battlefield, and nations yet unborn will honor the starry ensign of the American Union.

The prospect of the return of our much beloved and esteemed friend, Lieutenant A. B. Lewis, has occasioned no little pleasure throughout

the entire company. We have, from our first acquaintance, held him in high regard, but more especially since the battle of Iuka. Lieuten- ant Lewis will be remembered and honored for his gallant conduct on that memorable day, and though we have feared that the wound there received would prove fatal, thank God we are to be agreeably disap- pointed; and, if nothing transpires more than we know of now, in two or three weeks he will be again in command of the heroic little band that stood by him so nobly on that fearful but triumphant battlefield.

The name of the gallant Fifth Iowa is heralded far and wide for its heroism at Iuka. May other stars be added to the galaxy which she may emblazon upon her flag.

Our worthy captain, D. S. Lee, Lieutenant White, with all the boys in that engagement, gained immortal honor; but John Towle, a private, gained a hero's grave. May his memory be cherished by all. The general health of company E is good. Our camp is three miles south- east of Memphis, where we are awaiting orders to move down the river to Vicksburgh. The paymaster has arrived to-day.

GEORGE B. SITLER,

LETTER NO. CX.

WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY, CAMP REED, 1863.

[A pertinent address to the Twenty-seventh, which does infinite honor to all concerned in its preparation and delivery.]

FRIEND RICH :- This is the anniversary of the birth of Washington. The troops of the district of Jackson were paraded under arms at 11 o'clock A. M., and the following extract from the fare- well address of the father of his country was read :

"To the efficiency and permanency of your Union a government for the whole is indispensable. No alliance, however striet, between the parts can be an adequate substitute. They must inevitably experience the infractions and interruptions which alliances in all times have ex- perienced. Sensible of this momentous truth, you have improved upon your first essay, by the adoption of a constitution of government, bet- ter calculated than your former for an intimate union, and for the effi- eacious management of your common concerns. This government, the offspring of your own choice, uninfluenced and unawed, adopted upon full investigation and mature deliberation, completely free in its principles, in the distribution of its powers, uniting security with en- ergy, and contaming within itself provision for its own amendment, has a just claim to your confidence and support. Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquaintance in its measures, are duties en- joined by the fundamental maxims of liberty. The basis of our polit- ical system is the right of the people to make and alter their constitu- tions of government; but the constitution which at any time exists. until changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government, presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government."

At 12 o'clock M., a national salute of thirty-four guns was fired. This brigade was reviewed by Colonel C. L. Dunham, of the Fifth In- diana, at 1 o'clock P. M., and thus closed the animating exercises of the anniversary of the great and good Washington.

C. H. L.

LETTER NO. CXI.

CAMP REED, JACKSON, TENNESSEE, February 27, 1863.

FRIEND RICH: Your most welcome Guardian of February 11th reached us last evening, and, in looking over its well-filled columns, mv eye very naturally fell upon an article written as correspondence from our regiment, headed as follows:

"HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-SEVENTH IOWA REGIMENT, {

JACKSON, TENNESSEE, February 7, 1863. 5

"FRIEND RICHI: There has just been received at these headquar- ters an order -- "

He quotes the order, which is in regard to splitting some rails, and then makes some astonishing remarks and assertions relative to Colo- C. L. Dunham commanding the brigade. Now I have not troubled you with a line since we left home; but there are a few statements in that article which ought not to remain before the minds of our home friends unreplied to and uncontradicted. The anonymous correspondent, after referring to the rain and snow storm of January 14th and 15th, (and 1 fully appreciated it, for with some fifty others I faced the very worst of it nearly two miles just after daylight, without either supper or breakfast i makes the following impudent and untruthful assertion:

" Nothing has been said by Colonel Cyrus Dunham, of the Fiftieth

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

Indiana, who was in command of this brigade, until to-day, when we received the foregoing order." Now this brigade was organized Janu- ary IT, 1863, and on the very day that the regiments moved to this camp, was issued general order number three, the first and fourth par- agraphs of which are as follows:

"'IT IS HEREBY ORDERED,

"First, That the commandants of regiments see that the officers and men of their respective commands do not enter private dwellings or yards, or in any way interfere with private property of any kind, either while in camp or on the march.

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History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 53

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