History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 55

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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We experienced less difficulty in our return trip, the boat being more easily managed against the current. When we entered Moon Lake, which is only a short distance from the Mississippi, the boys gave three cheers. After getting through the lake there remained about a half mile of the pass to go through before getting into the father of waters, which should be called Moon Lake Pass. This accomplished, the Stars and Stripes were hoisted, and then three more hearty cheers were given. This great river looked to us larger than ever before doubtless on account of our being in the narrow pass so long. We all feel better now, and hope there was more accomplished than we can see at present. The cutting of the levee here inundated the whole country through which we passed. We landed about five miles south of Helena, Arkansas. The water has fallen some fifteen inches since we left, which makes our camp more tenable and pleasant. The health of the regiment is good, there being but few in the hospital- mostly cases of diarrhea. It is hard to tell now what disposition will be made of this part of the army, but we patiently wait, believing that all will be well.

GEORGE B. SITLER.

LETTER NO. CXIX.

[Another correspondent of the Guardian, also of com- pany E, gives a graphic account of the same expedition, from which we make some extracts of things "too good to be lost." --- E. P.]

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

The sound of rebel cannon regales our ears as 1 write, giving us a strong hint that we have something to do soon. The pickets are within hailing distance, on opposite sides of the river. We have been told that they enquired after "them lowa boys," and, when told they were coming, gave them three cheers, which is more of a compliment than would be paid to us by a class at home, that should be our friends. These same forces made our acquaintance at Iuka, and I think it will be lasting. Several large siege guns have just come down-they were brought from Corinth, showing that we are to fight the same men with the same guns. What has been accomplished here so far, I cannot tell. About all I can tell you of the rebels is, that they are here and we are ready to fight them.

Next morning we entered the pass from the lake. Now commences the history of our troubles. The channel will average about twenty yards wide, and runs in every conceivable point of the compass. There is a strong current flowing out, which renders a boat almost unman- ageable. The boat is lashed from one side to the other against the trees, the boat generally faring the worse. The Coldwater proved to be but little better. The good captain of the boat seemed to swear as hard at Ben, the mate, and holler "go ahead on the nigger," as often as ever to Bob, the pilot, who had more than the patience of Job. The captain was unceasing in his demands on him. It was a continuous round of "Back her on the starboard," "Come ahead on the star- board," "Catch her up on both, Bob;" but Bob was always at his post, and always smiling. It can only be accounted for by considering his great size-it requiring a great amount of outward pressure to get two hundred and fifty pounds avoirdupois mad through and through. The term "nigger" is applied to the capstan, which is often used in navi- gating a small crooked stream to draw the bow from the shore. I had never, until coming aboard the Armada, met with this use of the " nigger," and I haven't got Webster here to consult. We found the Tallahatchie quite an improvement, this stream being about the breadth of the Wapsie. There are some fine plantations along its banks. On some of them the negroes were at work in the fields; they swung their hats and jumped high in the air as we passed on through, certain of a better time coming. Wild game abounds in the swamps which skirt these singular streams.

Three of the boys of company E met with quite an amusing accident coming down. They were seated on the outer railing of the boat, which, yielding to their weight, gave way, precipitating them into the river in a heap. Fortunately they were all swimmers, and the boat at the time was floating with the current, so that they were soon pulled on board without much difficulty. The utter ruin of a pack of cards and loss of seventy-five cents in sutler tickets, they informed me, com- prises all the items of damages, which they think must be refunded by the Government, as they were lost in action.

S. A. R.

LETTER NO. CXX. CAMP REED, JACKSON, TENNESSEE, April 20, 1863. Colonel Gilbert reported last night, at midnight, to Colonel Lawler, who ordered him to march this morning, at 4:30 o'clock, to the Mobile & Ohio railroad depot, with two days' rations. When we received the order we had over two hundred men on picket duty. Major Howard is to remain in camp until the pickets are re- lieved, when he will immediately follow with his forces. Lieutenant Lake is quite sick, and was not permitted to go. I went down with the regiment to the depot, expecting to go on the first train, but was ordered back to camp on business, to follow on the next train. This gives me a moment's time to write a hasty communication to you.

We were paid on Saturday, up to the first of March. The boys were all greatly pleased. Many of them had suffered for want of money to support their families at home. But now all are well satisfied, and go in the direction of Corinth with light hearts to meet the foe.

Major Farish, paymaster for the district of Jackson, brought into town about two million dollars, sixty thousand of which was paid to our regiment. With the money came the intricate question, what shall we do with it? It is not safe to send by express. Adams' express, the only one here, shoulders no responsibility. Many of the Buchanan county soldiers sent their money by Captain Miller, company H, whose resignation has been accepted, and who left yesterday for home. Our estimable chaplain, D. N. Bardwell, in company with Sutler Handy, goes to Cairo to-day, to take the money of the regiment to that place, where he can express it regularly and safely. C. H. 1 ..

[It was estimated that over forty thousand dollars were sent from the Twenty-seventh regiment after this pay- ment .- E. P.]

LETTER NO. CXXI.

IN HOSPITAL, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, May 28, 1863.

FRIEND RICH :- Below is a list of killed and wounded of company C in the late battles in the rear of Vicksburgh:

Killed-Lieutenant H. P. Wilbur, Corporal L. A. Pearsall, Private George Freeberthyser. Wounded-Captain E. C. Little, Sergeant J. M. Elson, Corporal Reuben Rouse, Alphens Losey, J. H. Ford, Wil- liam Willey.

All were doing well when I left the battlefield on the twenty-fourth. John H. Ford has had his right foot amputated; no other very danger- ous wounds. I have a couple of flesh wounds, but they are doing tip top.

E. C. LITTLE.

[Lightly as the hero, Little, speaks of his "flesh wounds," in the foregoing letter, one of them (as most of our readers are aware) never completely healed; but, owing perhaps to his persistence in returning prematurely to duty, became incurable; gave him almost ceaseless pain for the rest of his life, and finally caused his death in 1874 .- E. P.]

LETTER NO. CXXII.

Extracts from a letter written by Eli Holland, of com- pany C, Ninth regiment. It is dated-

IN A CONFEDERATE CAMP IN THE REAR OF VICKSBURGH, WITHIN RIFLE RANGE OF THE ENEMY'S ENTRENCHMENTS, May 25, 1863. )

We left Milliken's Bend on the second of May and took a circuit until we reached the Mississippi again, about half way between New Carthage and Grand Gulf. Here we were taken on board boats and went down to Grand Gulf, where we landed, lay one day, and started for Port Gibson. There the rebels where whipped. They made another stand at Raymond, and were again routed by General Logan's division. They next tried to hold the capital of the State but were defeated easier than before. They had no fortifications but rifle-pits, which had been thrown up in one night. The army went into camp one day at Jackson and the city was totally ruined. The troops broke open the stores and took boots, shoes, hats, and clothing, such as we would be allowed to wear There was not a store in the city but was broken open. The teamsters and artillery got harness, and the cavalry got saddles. The quartermasters took boots and shoes and issued them to the regiments. All the tobacco chewers laid in an abundant store of the real " Honey Dew." The roads had been so dusty that all the boys wanted clean shirts, and helped themselves. I was around and took my share. One of the largest manufactories in the south was there and was burned. The depot, with about two million dollars worth of army stores, was burned by the rebels. The next morning we took our way down the railroad towards Vicksburgh, and reached Black river. General Logan, after a short contest, had driven them across the river, but had not been able to prevent them from burning the bridge after them. Our troops put down a pontoon bridge and were crossing a few hours after the retreating enemy. We started from Black river on the nineteenth and kept up the march until we came withing fighting distance of the rebels. At their forts in the rear of Vicksburgh, the battle commenced at 3 o'clock and was kept up till dark. L. A. Pearsall, of our company, was killed. At night Lieu- tenant Wilbur was on picket, and while going around the lines got too far out, and was shot by one of our own men. He lived four days after the accident and died on the twenty-third.

Fighting began again the next morning, driving the rebels from their first fortifications. There has been heavy fighting from the eighteenth until the present, and our skirmishers are out all around watching their chances to pick off the men in the forts where the hatteries are planted. On Friday, the twenty-second, there was a charge made on their works at 5 o'clock r. M. The Ninth took the lead at one point but were not supported rightly and were nearly all cut down. Some of the boys had advanced to the breastworks and had to lie there all night. The regiment lost one hundred and twenty men out of two hundred and fifty engaged. Our captain, E. C. Little, was wounded. Company H lost just half its men that went into the charge. The Ninth has been under fire for six days. I had to carry food to the captain, and had to run thirty rods in view of the rebs, where they had as fair a chance to shoot as they could want, but I escaped all their bullets. I think, from appearances, we shall lie in line of battle and keep the enemy from escaping. They will have to give up some time,

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for our line of battle extends all around the place, and our gun-boats and mortars are shelling them night and day.

I have just been out to take the boys some dinner, and had to go through a place about five rods in length in full view from their forts. As I was going they shot at me but did not hit me. I went on the keen jump, and I tell you no grass grew under my feet.

LETTER NO. CXXIII.

Moscow, TENNESSEE, TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, June 14, 1863. S We have been having some trouble of late with the secesh around here. Thursday, in the stillness of the night, a band of guerillas near Coliersville, in the direction of Memphis, destroyed a long trestle work, and carried away, it is reported, three miles of tele- graph wire. On Friday Colonel Gilbert organized a scouting party of thirty or more, and mounted them on mules and horses and went in search of the enemy. When about four miles out, the guerillas, six in number, fired on our rear guard, but missed their aim, and wheeling to run, came in contact with two or three of our boys who were straggling behind the rear guard. Our men, who at the time were effecting a change of saddles, supposing the enemy was approaching in force, beat a hasty retreat for camp. The party proper held on their way to the residence of Colonel A. R. Craddock, of Marshall county, Missis- sippi. One object of the expedition was to take this man prisoner, as it was asserted and generally believed that he was harboring and feed- ing guerillas. They got the old chap and brought him safely to camp. While near his house the guerillas again made their appearance, and were fired at by our guard under command of Lieutenant Peck. Upon the return of the three stragglers to this place, Major Howard ordered out reenforcements under Captain Garber, of company D. The captain hastened away in the direction which the first party had taken and, when out a short distance, met them returning. The expedition was commanded by Colonel Gilbert and was a complete success.

The prisoner, Craddock, was held in custody until the next day, when he was released on grounds satisfactory to all. He was a shrewd old fellow, and a man naturally of very fine feelings for a slaveholder. He fought for the Union until his State was gone, after which he es- poused the rebel cause, and is yet confident of the ultimate success of the Confederacy. His son-in-law, a surgeon in the rebel army, now a parolled prisoner, came into our lines next morning to deny the charge of being a guerilla. He was "a confederate soldier but no guerilla." A rank secesh, he early espoused the confederate cause, and to-day be- lieves in its certain triumph. It seems pretty rough to hear these fel- lows talk as they do; but I respect them much more than I do those of pretended loyalty to the Government, who cower around the pro- vost marshal for the oath of allegiance, which, when obtained, is stowed away in some obscure corner of their pockets, while they go out, having accomplished the object of a spy, to call together their band and make a raid on some weak point.

The whole line of road, from Grand Junction to Corinth, is aban- doned. What astonishes me most is, that the telegraphic line from Memphis to Columbus, Kentucky, via Grand Junction and Jackson, is in good order; when but forty out of the three hundred and fifty are guarded. This certainly looks like loyalty on the part of the citizens through whose country the line runs. Brigade headquarters are at LaGrange, but the brigade is badly scattered now along the road. The Twenty-seventh Iowa is at Moscow, except two companies, B and H, at LaGrange.

Lieutenant Colonel Lake's wife went up on the cars yesterday to La Grange, where the colonel is in command of the post. Sutler Handy and wife arrived on the cars yesterday. Adjutant Harrington expects his wife in a few days. The wife of Colonel Gilbert, who arrived at headquarters, Jackson, in company with Mrs. Chaplain Bardwell, about the middle of May, will return north soon.

C. H. L.

LETTER NO. CXXIV. CAMP DODGE, NEAR CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI, { June 24, 1863.

FRIEND RICH :- Never was there a more truthful expression uttered by man than the oft repeated one, "This is an educating war." And in no place and among no class of people can you find this truth more thoroughly demonstrated than in the army and among the officers and soldiers composing it. Here we are at Corinth, Mississippi, raising regiments of colored men to help crush out this inhuman, wicked and causeless rebellion. I have been told that when the first regiment was organized, there were one thousand five hundred applications for posi-

tions in the regiment; and if the men who obtained positions are speci- mens of the whole, I believe they applied because their hearts are in the work. Now I venture to say, that if their friends had told them, when they enlisted, that within two years they would be seeking posi- tions, from colonels down to orderly sergeants, in a negro regiment nine out of every ten of them would have felt grossly insulted. Yet here we are, and here are the colored men learning the art of war. Now the question comes, will they make good soldiers? I believe they will, and for many reasons. First, they have been taught from infancy the most important lesson of a soldier's life, and that is im- plicit obedience to orders. You let an order come from the colonel of a white regiment, just entered service, to fall into line, at an unusual hour, and you will see the men running to the orderly, to the captain, and even to the colonel, to know what is wanted. You tell a company of colored men to fall into line, and they fall in, expecting that they will find out what is wanted soon enough. Obedience, then, we have to start upon, and drill on that point is for the most part saved. The next question is, can they learn? To this I will answer-the First Alabama was organized, that is, its officers were appointed the Eigh- teenth of May last. At that time there were, I think, three or four full companies, and two or three parts of companies. At least three com- panies had not a man in camp. It was not until the first of June that the ten companies were made up and commenced drilling, and to-day the First Alabama infantry can execute the common manœuvres in company and battalion drill as well as several regiments I have seen which have been in service several months. Their drill in the manuel of arms elicits praise from all who witness them, yet they have but about four hundred muskets in the regiment for nearly nine hundred men, and have only had these about ten days. The next question is, are they patriotic? I answer, many of these men have travelled all night, and some of them for several nights, hiding in the swamps by day, to get inside our lines. Ask them what they come for and they will tell you: "I comes to you all, to fight dese yar rebels. Ise heered dat Massa Linkum done said we might come, and here I is." "Well, sır, what do you want to do? Do you want to drive team?" " No, sah, I don't want to drive no team, I wants to tote de musket and be a soldier, dat's what I wants." "But if you are a soldier the rebels will shoot you or hang you, if they catch you." "Well, Massa, I'll jis tell yer; I can't die but once. l'se been a slave all my life, and l ain't much 'count no how. Praps I can do you some good. I'se got a wife and chil'ern, and I want's them to be free. I'de like to be free wid 'em mighty well, but some's got to die to save the rest; an ef I can save dem, I'se satisfied." If this is not patriotism, it is something just as good. The next question is, will they fight? Could you see the eagerness with which the black man learns the use of his gun, going out as soon as the sun is up to work all day, and then drill with shouts of joy after dark; could you hear the vim with which he hopes he may be able to square accounts with his oppressors; could you see him as I have done, after he himself was safe within our lines, go back, ten miles if need be, to the plantation of his master who had threatened to shoot him if he joined us, to get another child, I think you nor no man will question their bravery. They will fight. They have proved it on several bloody fields, and are anxious to prove it on many more. There are here nearly three thousand, men, women, and children. There are about one thousand soldiers in both regiments, Govern- ment has a large field cultivated by the old men, women and boys. There are about three hundred children going to school. The chaplain of the First regiment has charge of the school, with his female assistants. He says three months ago there were not six in the three hundred who knew their letters; and now, if he cannot pick out one hundred who can read intelligently and readily in the New Testament, he will forfeit a year's pay as chaplain.

Sergeant James C. Glass and myself are recruiting for the Second regiment. We have fifty-three men. We have three other companies forming here in the camp, and I understand that there are one or two others forming elsewhere. It is not as easy filling the Second regiment as it was the first, for the first took nearly all the able-bodied men near here, and we have to depend on expeditions going out into the country. In my next 1 will give you an account of the presentation of a flag to the first regiment, and also speak of one or two of the colored orators here. E. P. BAKER.

LETTER NO. CXXIV (A).

Moscow, TENNESSEE, July 5, 1863.

FRIEND RICH :- Seth Wheaton, corporal of company C, who has been acting as clerk for several months at brigade headquarters, and who has given most excellent satisfaction in that capacity, has been ap-

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pointed, 1 learn, sergeant major of the First regiment, west Tennessee infantry, of African descent. It is a good place, but hardly as good as Seth deserves, and he will probably get a commission in a very short time.

Black troops are being rapidly organized in this district. One regi- ment at La Grange is already full, and the officers announced. Those blacks make most excellent soldiers, and perform their duties with greater precision, though with less judgment, than the whites. They know nothing but to obey orders, and when you are commanded by one of them to halt, you had better, as a matter of safety, obey. They are strong, muscular fellows, and are inured to the climate. As a con- sequence, the ranks of the black regiments will be kept full, up to the maximum, constantly. A thousand men in each regiment will always be ready to meet the foe-their effective force will always number nine hundred or more. And that they will fight, none but an infamous cop- perhead will deny. The soldiers know it; the secesh know it. With these facts in view, why may not the blacks ere long take the precedence as troops, and become the regular soldiers of the Union.

Yesterday was the glorious Fourth, and what a day it was. Nothing transpired worthy of note, save a National salute at meridian by a battery in the fort.

C. H. L.

LETTER NO. CXXV.

WALNUT HILLS, MISSISSIPPI, July 6, 1863.

FRIEND RICHI :- You will undoubtedly have heard the news of the surrender of Vicksburgh before this reaches you. On the "glorious old Fourth," at 10 A. M., the city was surrendered. What the stipula- tions were 1 can not tell. Yesterday I was in the city. As our regi- ment is camped in the rear of it, I had a chance of passing many of the enemy's works. The most of their defences were adequate to resist the assaults of any enemy. Nature had left nothing undone in build- ing fastnesses along the north and east of the city. Many of the de- clivities are utterly insurmountable. On top of these precipitous cliffs, rifle-pits and intrenchments extend in unbroken lines around the cap- tured city. Along these intrenchments are found any number of offsets and holes for the rebels to creep into to secure themselves from our shells; and here they were compelled to lie night and day. Along the line of works where I passed were forty mounted cannon, some of very heavy calibre. I saw one gun that had several pieces knocked off. The rebels said that our cannoneers injured that gun before they could get it mounted. They said it was next to impossible to work their guns on account of our sharpshooters, and the accurate range our artillery- men would get of their position. The city is full of secesh soldiers. Every nook and corner was occupied by their soldiery. Some of the finest buildings were converted into barracks. The majority of the prisoners seemed glad of the surrender. Some acknowledged that their loyalty to the southern confederacy commenced to "cave in" when they had to fight on "mule beef." The more sanguine contend that the "southern confederacy is all right." They say, "time and chance happens to all." They acknowledge themselves whipped this time; but not by General Grant, but by General Starvation. The city looks dull, notwithstanding the crowds of soldiers; and if the dust in it is the "dust of humiliation," they must be terribly depressed. Many buildings show the effects of our gun-boats and mortars. Some houses have hardly enough wall left to support their roofs. I saw but few women and children. All was excitement. The dear old stars and stripes again wave over the court house.

The city had scarcely surrendered when most of our army corps took up the line of march. . The Ninth regiment left on the night of the fourth for Black River, and before this a desperate battle has been fought if Johnson did not get away. The weather is warm and the roads dusty. It is hard on the soldiers, but they press on from victory to victory wherever the enemy will wait an attack.

During the spring and summer campaign the Ninth regiment has lost in killed, wounded, and missing, one hundred and eight men.

M. H.

LEITER NO. CXXVI .*

VICKSBURGIt, MISSISSIPPI, July 4, 1863.

FRIEND RICH .- Congratulate us ! Joy you need not wish us, for our cup is full. This long-boasted stronghold of treason has at last submitted to rightful authority. Yesterday morning, about 8 o'clock, Pemberton sent out a flag of truce, had an interview with General Grant, which closed about the same hour this morning, and has resulted in an unconditional surrender of everything. The rebel soldiers were marched outside their works and there stacked arms, and returned.

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History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 55

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