USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 54
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Fourth, The commandants of regiments will be held strictly respon- sible for the enforcement of this order.
By command of
C. L. DUNHAM," etc.
Previous to any trouble on account of interference with private property, this order, dated January 12th was received at our headquar- ters, and every order is read on dress-parade, so all must have known that taking any private property without authority was expressly for- bidden, and no permission in this case was asked. Besides, oak wood was then in abundance within five rods of our tents, and although green, was precisely the same kind which the commander then and ever since has burnt, though without "rails." Some of the field offi- cers of the other regiments were sick, and kindly cared for at the house of this Parkman, and their horses were under the shelter of his barn at the time. He may be "secesh,"-I know not, nor care, for my present purpose. Only this I know: he has permits from Generals Sullivan and Grant to pass our lines, and has also a safeguard for his property from the commander of this post. It is thus that we disre- garded positive orders, and were liable for disobedience. These are positive facts, and, must, so far as the orders are concerned, have been known to the writer of that article, who surely can be no officer who expects his own orders to be respected and obeyed, or he would not thus purposely place before the men his own utter disregard for disci- pline and disrespect for his superior officers.
But it is doubted by this writer "what rule of warfare, or order, or reason " authorizes such a course. Did he not know that general order number six from district headquarters forbid all taking of private property without proper written authority ? that General Grant has issued the same in department general order number fifty-six? that the same is in order number one hundred and seven from the War De- partment, based upon the fifty-second article of war ? that the colonel commanding was responsible for the enforcement of these orders ? Must he not also have known that the brigade was but just organized, and if allowed to transgress orders with impunity it would greatly in- crease the difficulty of enforcing afterwards? We all know that disci- pline is the nerve of the army; without it, we have no power, no success. Any one who knows me will readily concede that no living man can well go beyond me in a readiness to injure the rebels to the furthest possible extent, in any way authorized by military usage. I would take their horses, cattle and hogs, fat or lean, "rails" or "niggers," anything that would be of use to us for our comfort, advantage or protection, or to weaken the treasonable foe; but let it be properly taken and distributed.
But to cap the climax, the nameless writer presents our commanding officer to your readers (our old friends are interested to some extent in everything that interests us) as a person having no higher regard for his duty, manhood and honor, than to be capable of granting protec- tion to "secesh" on account of a bribe received from a traitor ! Prob- ably no man, except the aforesaid writer, would sooner level a man who dared approach him in that way than this said Colonel Dunham. It will hardly do for the writer of that article, who has yet to be tried by war's stern discipline, and of necessity has but little military expe- rience, to bring such implications and charges against one who, during eighteen months of hard service, in caring for his own and other regi- ments in camp, and before the hottest fire of the enemy, has earned and maintained among all who know him a character and a reputation as a commanding officer, and as a man, which we may all well strive to maintain. Surely these charges must have been made in a heated moment, and a sober second thought would have greatly changed the tenor of his communication. I have no special regard for Colonel Dunham, know him only slightly, and more, he is an old Democrat, and you know I never liked them very well. But, thank God, he is a fighting Democrat ! Heaven forgive, if possible, the Copperhead: posterity and history never will.
"The article will fall harmless here, and while I desire not to rasp the feelings of any living person, yet I am unwilling that our friends should be led to believe that we are commanded by a miserable,
insignificant, truckling base tool, when we have, in fact, an acting gen- eral whom we are all proud to follow, and who is everywhere recog- nized as an excellent officer, a man, and a patriot.
Ever yours,
WV. G. DONNAN.
LETTER NO. CXII.
CAMP REED, JACKSON, TENNESSEE, March 17, 1863.
FRIEND RICH :- I think I wrote you in my last that Colonel James M. True was in command of the post, and also in command of our brigade. The troops in the vicinity of Jackson are in an inactive condition. There is but little fighting in the country hereabouts, the enemy both being wily and cautious. Our duties are chiefly picketing-the regiment furnishing six commissioned officers, forty non-commissioned, and one hundred and thirty-five men about once in three days. This gives us a fine opportunity for drill, which is being gladly improved. The regiment is in excellent health and spirits, and with bright prospects for the future. Our last semi-weekly report of effective men was six hundred and eighteen.
We have lost another man from company H. Joseph Moore died in the general hospital, at Jackson, two days since. He was a patriot in the best sense of the word, and a pure, consistent Christian. . .
Disappointed in the appearance of the paymaster, we are consoling ourselves with the expectation of good news-are looking with eager expectation for the fall of Vicksburgh, and for the triumph of our cause in other sections. Beautiful spring weather has set in, the roads are becoming good, and if there is not a vigorous spring campaign we shall be both deceived and disheartened. Every patriot is trembling in eager impatience for a successful termination of this bloody contest within the next few short months.
LETTER NO. CXIII.
SAME, March 23, 1863.
We have had some excitement within the past few days. You have doubtless been informed ere this time, by telegraph, that the guerillas, on last Saturday, tore up the track for a short dis- tance between here and Memphis, designing to capture the paymaster, who was to pass over the road on that day. But a rail or two were torn up, and the guerillas lay in ambush at the curve of the road, anxiously waiting for the train which was to bring their expected prize. Fortunately the first train was a wood train, having on board a few negroes as laborers, and a sufficient force of white men to run it. It came round the curve and was thrown from the track, when a band of desperadoes made their appearance, burned a number of the cars and succeeded in capturing those on board. While engaged at this, the paymaster's train came in sight. When the turn was made the engin- eer saw at a glance that there was trouble ahead. Instantly he reversed the steam. The paymaster, who had on board a large sum of money, became frightened, and, with a captain, jumped from the train, leaving his money all on board. The engineer hesitated not a moment, but ran his engine with all possible dispatch to a place of safety, leaving Mr. Paymaster and captain in the hands of the guerillas.
It will be a source of pleasure to all to know that our muskets are to be exchanged for Enfield rifles. Your readers will remember that but two companies (A and B) were supplied with rifles when we first started out. All the others had Prussian muskets. There was no little dis- satisfaction with them when they were furnished to us at Dubuque, and Colonel Gilbert has availed himself of every opportunity to exchange the muskets for rifles; and now our whole regiment is to be armed with guns, behind which a soldier may stand with some safety, and before which the enemy will fall. Ancient and modern warfare have depended to a great extent on the kind and use of weapons. We now have the right kind, and are being perfected in the use of them in our daily squad, company and battalion drills. Six hundred effective lowans, with effective weapons, would, if they imitated the bright ex- amples of their preceding compatriots, be a wall impregnable to traitors.
Good news cheers the heart of the loyal man at the north, but it sends a thrilll of joy through the soldier's heart which is inexpressible. With what intense interest do we watch our fleet as it winds its way along under the over-arched, foliage-covered Yazoo Pass. How our hearts leaped last night with exultation at the news that our iron-clads had passed Port Hudson, and had reported to our out-posts below Vicksburgh. But if we are defeated, our devotion will rekindle, and the smothered fires of liberty will break forth in new and fiercer flames.
C. H. L.
187
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOW.1.
LETTER NO. CXIV.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT IOWA VOL- UNTEER INFANTRY,
CAMP REED, JACKSON, TENNESSEE, March 23, 1863. FRIEND RICH :- I clipped the following from the Chicago Tribune of the 17th instant :
" Political Movements .- It is said that a caucus of leading Dem- ocrats was held in the executive chamber on Monday-Governor Sey- mour in the chair. It is also said that resolutions were adopted in favor of cutting loose from Fernando Wood & Co., and making the Democratic party the 'out-and-out' war party of the country. It is said that Governor Seymour talked warmly in favor of the new platform, and talked gunpowder and artillery in a manner which cannot fail to produce reflection at Richmond. It is also said that John Van Buren, in his late speech in New York, represented the views of Governor Seymour .- Albany Statesman."
If that rumor is true, and the Democrats of New York will do what it is rumored the leaders of the party in that State are talking of doing. they will earn for themselves an enviable reputation.
True, it is now rather late to commence talking about making the Democratic party the "out-and-out" war party; and this is no time to talk of any parties, except patriots and traitors; but the old maxim is, "While the lamp holds out to burn " etc., etc.
What the men now in the field want to see is a united north on the question of crushing out this rebellion. They care not what name those take who are for prosecuting this war to a successful termination, but they want it prosecuted until the rebels cry "hold, enough." They want no peace propositions except such as come from the rebels by their laying down their arms and returning to their usual avoca- tions. They want no armistice except that which follows a permanent peace. They have been from home long enough, and are desirous to return. But they started to accomplish a great object, and have no idea of returning until their labor is accomplished. Nor have they any idea of resting quietly on their oars for six months, to afford their op- ponents a chance to gather new strength and concert new plans for resistance.
With a united north the army of the Union will, in less than six months, have so far penetrated into the interior of Rebeldom that to be an open and avowed secessionist will be very unsafe, even in Missi- ssippi or Georgia. There is but one sentiment in the army, so far as 1 know, and that is: "Down with the rebellion at whatever cost of men and money."
If Governor Seymour, of New York, means what he is reported to have said, let him immediately put into the field the thirty-five thou- sand that that State lacks of her quota of the six hundred thousand called for last August; and let him show his good intentions by ten- dering to the President his sympathy and hearty cooperation in the war. Such an act, coming from such a source, will do much to arouse the enthusiasm of the men now in the field, and would be equal to the addition of an hundred thousand men to our army.
Many of the soldiers that hail from the west, are natives of the State of New York, and they dislike to hear it said that their native State is behind in making up her quota of men for this war. There- fore let Seymour say in public, and in an authoritative manner, what he is reported to have said in a quasi-secret political caucus, and he will wonder that so much depends on the opinion of one man.
Then let all the Democrats in the loyal States follow in his wake, and there will be no need of a call for men by the President under the conscript act.
The authorities at Richmond have been so frequently snubbed abroad, that they have given up all hope of assistance from foreign sympathizers. Now let the Democrats of the north make the copper- heads hunt their hole, if they have one, and the rebels will yield with- out another struggle.
Thus it is in the power of the Democrats to make that name once more honored and revered as the great beacon word of liberty and union, now and forever.
Will they do it?
The soldiers of the Union army, now in the field, wait to sec.
Yours, truly, JED LAKE.
LETTER NO. CXV.
THE END OF RAILING
CAMP REED, JACKSON, TENNESSEE, March 31, 1863.
FRIEND RICH :- It seems that the anonymous letter published in the Guardian a few weeks since, regarding an order issued by Colonel
C. L. Dunham, requiring the Twenty-seventh regiment to split rails to replace some that had been burned, caused considerable speculation at headquarters, and called forth a reply from our worthy friend, Lieu- tenant Donnan. Before answering the letter it would be well, perhaps to state the situation of the Twenty-seventh Iowa, at the time the rails were used; as there is no doubt they did use a part, though I doubt if they used all the one hundred and fifty rails as charged.
Our regiment came into camp at Camp Reed, the thirteenth of Jan- uary last. Immediately after coming into camp, there came on a heavy snow storm, covering the ground to a depth of full six inches, which remained several days.
On our march from Memphis to the Tallahatchie river, the division quartermaster took nearly all the axes we had in the regiment to clear the road and build bridges, and we never saw them afterward. Com- pany C' had three or four axes that had not seen a grindstone for weeks and that had been used indiscriminately to cut wood, rails, frozen ground, and stones. Other companies were no better off. . \s Mr. Donnan says, "here was plenty of wood to be had for the cutting.' but we were in a sorry plight to cut it, and when cut it was all green. Not a stick or twig of dry wood was to be had to kindle a fire with, except the aforesaid rails. Any of your readers who have ever made the attempt to kindle a fire from a match with nothing but green wood, know it is no easy matter. Add to this the fact that we were out of doors, in the midst of a severe snow storm, and you can readily imagine that it was of first importance that fires should be built at once, and that building them of green wood covered with snow, was not an agreeable task. It was under such circumstances that the rails were taken.
I am no advocate of indiscriminate plunder, though I do believe, fully and emphatically, that it is the duty of every Union general to subsist his army upon the enemy; and I doubt the loyalty of any leader who refuses to do so. I do not blame Colonel Dunham, after he had issued his order, for insisting that it should be obeyed; nor do I understand that the writer of the anonymous letter blames him for it. Military discipline requires that every order must be obeyed. What I claim would have been a better course, would have been for Colonel Dunham to send the quartermaster to get the rails for the boys to kindle their fires with, and to receipt for them. Had this been done not a rail would have been taken by the Twenty-seventh. The colonel would have gained the good will of all, and the owner of the rails, if a Union man, could have had his pay for them. L'p to the time of writing this letter, Lieutenant Donnan had been, most of his time, after his return on the fifteenth of February, on Colonel Duin- ham's staff, and had never been detailed to go foraging with the regi- ment. Those who did go say that there were plenty of hogs and cattle to be had, on a proper requisition from headquarters.
I have written these few lines because I thought justice to the Twenty- seventh demanded it. The men who compose it went out from you with honesty of purpose; they will return to you with their honor unsullied. They bear the "good old flag"-they are not marauders. They respect their officers and are submissive to military authority; and when the day comes the men of the Twenty-seventh believe their officers will lead them into the deadly fray with all the coolness of tried veterans, and the officers are confident that their men will follow them till the "red field is won," and the star spangled banner waves in triumph over sea and land.
Respectfully, yours,
E. P. BAKER.
LETTER NO. CXVI.
JACKSON, TENNESSEE, April 7, 1863.
FRIEND RICH :- By order of James M. True, colonel commanding this post, a council of administration, to consist of Colonel James I'. Gilbert, Twenty-seventh regiment Iowa volunteer infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Robinson, of the Sixty-second I linois, and Colonel Mitchell, of the Fifty-fourth Illinois, was appointed to dispose of the effects of deceased non-commissioned officers and soldiers. The council, upon consultation, concluded to sell all such articles at auction to the highest bidder. Of course they sold very much below cost, as clothes of deceased soldiers, who had lam for months, perhaps, in the hospital, were not likely to be highly prized. Besides the soldiers could not buy; for all are loaded at all times with the last pound of baggage they can conveniently carry. The citizens, almost all of whom are, 1 doubt not, at heart secessionists, did not feel disposed to buy; for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. The property of one hun- dred and fifty-three deceased soldiers was sold, by order of the council, and brought the sum of three hundred and ninety dollars and seventy cents.
188
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Our arms were inspected the other day by Lieutenant Hunter, of General Kinball's staff, and one hundred and fifty pieces were con- demned. I wrote you some time ago that there was to be an exchange of arms. Our quartermaster, who, as I informed you, was taken pris- oner when the raid was made on the train, was at Memphis that day to effect the change, but did not, at that time, succeed.
C. H. L.
LETTER NO. CXVII.
ON BOARD THE STEAMER HENRY CLAY, MOORED ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE YAZOO RIVER, March 15, 1863.
READERS OF THE Guardian :- As many of you are interested in the movings and doings of the lowa Ninth, and especially in those of company C, I will give you a few desultory notes.
Our regiment has been quite active since we came down to Vicks- burgh the second time. It is always ready to take part in the various duties that arise from the ever-changing circumstances of war; be it building corduroy roads, digging canals or "cut offs," or what not. The canal or "cut off " south of Vicksburgh, commenced last summer, was abandoned by our troops after spending much hard labor on it. The entire thing was planned on too small a scale. Several weeks since a new "cut off " was projected on a grander scale, and thousands of men put to work on it day and night. The soldiers and contrabands worked at the excavation like beavers; and now the project is begin- ning to show its feasibility. At present several dredge boats are finish- ing the work by deepening and widening the channel. The object of this "cut off" is to afford a passage for our transports below the city of Vicksburgh, so as to enable our forces to get a foothold east of the city.
The second "cut off," or Yazoo Pass, is only a short distance below Helena. It is a cut through a large levee that was thrown up years ago to prevent the river, when at high water, from inundating the surrounding country. If this proves a success it will enable our trans- ports to reach a point within twenty miles of the Vicksburgh & Jack- son railroad. By gaining the railroad a tremendous blow will be given to the Confederacy.
The third "cut off" is between Lake Providence and the Mississippi river. By this canal boats will be admitted into Lake Providence; and from this lake they reach a system of bayous, creeks, and sloughs, connected with the Mississippi and Red rivers, and giving access to a territory of very considerable extent. By getting possession of these waters, an extensive river communication can be intercepted, cutting off large supplies of various products, cattle, etc., which are now fur- nished the rebels from this region. If this system should prove a success, as is anticipated by naval officers, the city of Vicksburgh can be taken without firing a gun.
For the company I would say that on the eleventh instant we re- ceived orders to be detached from the regiment to act as a provost guard on the steamer Henry Clay. On the twelfth the regiment was paid off. This makes the boys feel considerably better. Greenbacks distributed occasionally by the handful, infuses more activity and cheerfulness into the soldiers than platoons of doctors, and cart-loads of medicine. Hurrah for more greenbacks ;- and a little more lager beer. This recalls an incident that I must relate. Just before Cap- tain Wright left, he wished to give some tangible evidence of his regard for the members of company C; so two men were detailed with adequate instructions and the necessary amount of greenbacks, from the generous captain. They soon returned with a half barrel of lager, which, with an ample escort, was introduced into the captain's tent and nicely adjusted for "tapping." There were, as usual, some pre- liminaries to be gone through with-fixing a faucet, giving vent, etc. Lieutenant E. C. Little and Orderly Wilbur were managers. As every- body's mouth was watering for lager, a becoming degree of dispatch was expected of the operators, who, in their eagerness to serve their friends, managed to drop the shut off part of the faucet. ' At first there was a slight fussing and fizzing, and then ont came the lager with a vim and impetuosity that is indescribable, squirting and splashing in all directions. The leaders in the fray had too nice a regard for their reputation for valor to retreat, and too nice a regard for the lager to witness the waste, and finally succeeded in getting everything right and the lager tight. The scene was really very laughable (after the beer was safe). The heroes in the strife were completely drenched by this novel battery; but, as they were both well tried soldiers, they did not flinch at the post of duty, but stood up manfully in the fight until the raging tide was turned back, if not completely subdued.
The health of the regiment is improving, Company C feels well satisfied with the change. The boys are all of good cheer.
M. HARTER,
Company C, Ninth regiment, lowa volunteers.
LETTER NO. CXVIII.
CAMP OF THE FIFTH IOWA, NEAR HELENA, ARKANSAS, { April 9, 1863.
FRIEND RICH :- Since I wrote you last nothing of startling interest has occurred. We embarked on board the Henry Van Phul, and leav- ing Memphis on the third of March, steamed down the river and landed within a few miles of Lake Providence, some ninety miles above Vicksburgh. Remained there two days, then returned ; landing six miles south of Helena, and thirty from Memphis, in the swamps of Arkansas. Here we remained until the twenty-third, when we em- barked on board the fine little steamer Armada, and, after due prepar- ation for a hazardous and tedious expedition, we started, and finally entered Yazoo Pass, which winds its way through an impenetrable forest on either side, of cypress, sycamore, cottonwood, elm and gum, and a thick undergrowth of cane. The stream varies from forty to seventy feet in width, and is the crookedest of all the crooked under the sun. Our progress was of necessity very slow, and the manage- ment of our boat required the utmost care and attention. We passed two sunken boats, the Luella and Jenny Lind; but fortunately they were got out of the channel before sinking. We were four days reaching Coldwater, a distance of fourteen miles, and our little boat was much dilapidated by its oft repeated collisions with trees projecting over the stream. The Coldwater is not unlike the pass, except in being a little wider. On the twenty-eighth we were overtaken by the steamer Jennie Bowen, asking the privilege to pass, having on board ammunition and dispatches. On the thirtieth we entered the Tallahatchie some fifty miles from where we entered the Coldwater. This river is much wider and has less obstructions. The day was quite cold, with considerable snow falling. April 2d a drowned man was discovered floating on the river. Colonel Boomer, acting brigadier, ordered his boat to stop, and had the body picked up and buried. We finally landed a few miles from Greenwood, at which point the rebels had planted a bat- tery. This place is one hundred and forty miles from where we en- tered the Tallahatchie. General Ross' division was in the advance, cannonading was heard, and I believe somewhat of an engagement ensued, but the result cannot be learned; for, about the time we ex- pected a general engagement would commence, Ross' and Quinby's divisions were ordered back ; and, on the eighth of April, we started up stream. Now all this seems strange to the uninitiated (as we ac- knowledge ourselves to be), and, although it is a dull and tedious life when we can see but little accomplished, we yet remember the words of our most excellent President, "it's a big job," and destined to bring about great results. We are not discouraged, but have implicit confi- dence that the strong arm and stronger intellect which has led this army on to glorious victory so often, will eventually consummate our hopes in a glorious triumph, and establish peace and happiness.
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