History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 12

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316

USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 12
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 12

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

IOWA AND THIE REBELLION.

By her record in the war of the rebellion Iowa proved herself a truly loyal State. The Presidential campaign of 1860 was an exciting one, and the fact that civil war might be inaugurated in case Abraham Lincoln was elected, was well understood and duly considered. The people of Iowa indulged in no hatred or ill-will toward any section of the country, but were deter- mined to hold such opinions upon questions of public interests, and vote for such men as to them seemed for the general good, uninfluenced by any threat of violence or civil war.

The ('eneral Assembly of the State of Iowa, as early as 1851, had by joint resolu- tion declared that the State of Iowa was " bound to maintain the union of these States by all the means in her power." The same year the State furnished a block

of marble for the Washington Monument at the national capitol, and by order of the General Assembly there was inscribed upon its enduring surface the following: "Iowa-Her affections, like the rivers of her borders, flow to an inseparable Union." The time was now approaching in her his- tory when these declarations of attachment and fidelity to the nation were to be put to a practical test.

Certainly the people of no State in the nation could be more vitally interested in the question of our national unity than the people of Iowa. The older States of the Union, both North and South, were repre- sented in its population. Iowans were nearly all immigrants, bound to those older communities by the most sacred ties of blood, and most endearing recollections of early days. In addition to these consider-

HISTORY OF IOWA.

ations of a personal character, there were others of the gravest political importance.

Iowa's geographical position as a State made the dismemberment of the Union a matter of serious concern. The Missis- sippi had been for years its highway to the markets of the world. £ The people could not entertain the thought that its navigation should pass under the control of a foreign government. But more than this was to be feared the consequence of introducing and recognizing in our national system the principal of secession or disin- tegration.

If this should be recognized as a right, what security had the States of the interior against their entire isolation from the com- merce of the world, by the future secession of the Atlantic and Pacific States? And the fact also remained, that secession or separation removed none of the causes of war. Whatever there was in the peculiar institution that created differences of sen- timent or feeling, or caused irritation, still existed after the separation, with no court or constitution as the arbiter of rights, and with the one resort, only, of the sword to settle differences. In secession and its logical and necessary results, we saw nothing but dire confusion and anarchy, and the utter destruction of that nation- ality through which alone we felt that our civil liberties as a people could be pre- served, and the hopes of our civilization prepetuated.

The declaration of Mr. Buchanan's last annual message, that the nation posssesed no constitutional power to coerce a seced- ing State, was received by the great majority of our citizens with humiliation

and distrust. Anxiously they awaited the expiring hours of his administration, and looked to the incoming President as to an expected deliverer that should rescue the nation from the hands of traitors, and the control of those whose non-resistance in- vited her destruction. The firing upon the national flag at Sumter aroused a burning indignation throughout the loyal States of the Republic, and nowhere was it more intense than in Iowa. And when the proclamation of the President was pub- lished, April 15, 1861, calling for 75,000 citizen soldiers to "maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our national Union, and the perpetuity of pop- ular government," they were more than willing to respond to the call. Party lines gave way, and for a while, at least, party spirit was hushed, and the cause of our common country was supreme in the affec- tions of the people. Peculiarly fortunate were the people of Iowa at this crisis, in having a truly representative man as ex- ecutive of the State. Thoroughly honest and thoroughly earnest, wholly imbued with the enthusiasm of the hour, fully aroused to the importance of the crises, and the magnitude of the struggle upon which we were entering, with an indomit- able will under the control of a strong common sense, Samuel J. Kirkwood, was, indeed, a worthy chief to organize and direct the energies of the people. Within thirty days after the date of the President's call for troops, the First Iowa Regiment was mustered into the service of the United States, a second regiment was in camp ready for the service, and the Gen- eral Assembly of the State was convened in special session, and had by joint resolu-

HISTORY OF IOWA.

tion solemnly pledged every resource of men and money to the national cause.

So urgent were the offers of companies, that the Governor conditionally accepted enough additional companies to compose two additional regiments. These were soon accepted by the Secretary of War. Near the close of May, the Adjutant Gen- eral of the State reported that 170 compa- nies had been tendered the Governor to serve against the enemies of the Union. The question was eagerly asked, " Which of us will be allowed to go?" It seemed as if Iowa was monopolizing the honors of the period, and would send the larger part of the 75,000 wanted from the whole North.

There were much difficulty and consid- erable delay experienced in fitting the first three regiments for the field. For the First Infantry a complete outfit (not uni- form) of clothing was extemporized, prin- cipally by the volunteered labor of loyal women in the different towns-from mate- rial of various colors and qualities, ob- tained within the limits of the State. The same was done in part for the Second Infantry. Meantime, an extra session of the General Assembly had been called by the Governor, to convene on the 15th of May. With but little delay, that body authorized a loan of $800,000, to meet the extraordinary expenses incurred, and to be incurred, by the Executive Department, in consequence of the new emergency. A wealthy merchant of the State (ex-Gov. Merrell, then a resident of McGregor) immediately took from the Governor a contract to supply a complete outfit of clothing for three regiments organized, agreeing to receive, should the Governor

so elect, his pay therefor in the State bonds at par. This contract he executed to the letter, and a portion of the clothing (which was manufactured in Boston, at his order) was delivered at Keokuk, the place at which the troops had rendezvoused, in ex- actly one month from the day in which the contract had been entered into. The re- mainder arrived only a few days later. This clothing was delivered to the soldiers, but was subsequently condemned by the Gov- ernment, for the reason that its color was gray, and blue had been adopted as the color to be worn by the National troops. Other States had also clothed their troops, sent forward under the first call of Presi- dent Lincoln, with gray uniforms, but it was soon found that the Confederate forces were also clothed in gray, and that color was at once abandoned by the Union troops. If both armies were clothed alike, annoying, if not fatal, mistakes were liable to be made.

While engaged in these efforts to dis- charge her whole duty in common with all the other Union-loving States in the great emergency, Iowa was compelled to make immediate and ample provision for the protection of her own borders from threat- ened invasions on the south by the seces- sionists of Missouri, and from danger of incursions from the west and northwest by bands of hostile Indians, who were freed from the usual restraint imposed upon them by the presence of regular troops stationed at the frontier posts. These troops were withdrawn to meet the greater and more pressing danger threatening the life of the Nation at its very heart.

The Governor of the State, in order to provide for the adequate defense of Iowa's

HISTORY OF IOWA.

borders from the ravages of both rebels in arms against the Government and of the more irresistible foes from the Western plains, was authorized to raise and equip two regiments of infantry, a squadron of cavalry (not less than five companies) and a battalion of artillery (not less than three companies). Only cavalry were enlisted for home defense, however, but in times of special danger, or when calls were made by the Unionists of Northern Missouri for assistance against their disloyal enemies, large numbers of militia on foot often turned out, and remained in the field until the necessity for their services had passed.

June 13th, Gen. Lyon, then command- ing the United States forces in Missouri, issued the first order for the Iowa volun- teers to move to the field. The First and Second Infantry immediately embarked in steamboats and proceeded to Hannibal. Two weeks later the Third Infantry was ordered to the same point. These three, together with many other of the earlier organized Iowa regiments, rendered their first field service in Missouri. The First Infantry formed a part of the little army with which Gen. Lyon moved on Spring- field, and fought the bloody battle of Wil- son's creek. It received unqualified praise for its gallant bearing on the field. In the following month (September), the Third Iowa, with but very slight support, fought with honor the sanguinary engagement of Blue Mills Landing; and in November the Seventh Iowa, as a part of the force com- manded by Gen. Grant, greatly distin- guished itself in the battle of Belmont, where it poured out its blood like water- losing more than half of the men it took into action.

The initial operations in which the bat- tles referred to took place were followed by the more important movements led by Gen. Grant, Gen. Curtis, of this State, and other commanders, which resulted in de- feating the armies defending the chief strategic lines held by the Confederates in Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkan- sas, compelling their withdrawal from much of the territory previously controlled by them in those States. In these and other movements, down to the grand cul- minating campaign by which Vicksburg was captured and the Confederacy perma- nently severed on the line of the Missis- sippi river, Iowa troops took part in steadily increasing numbers. In the in- vestment and siege of Vicksburg, the State was represented by thirty regiments and two batteries, in addition to which eight regiments and one battery were employed on the outposts of the besieg- ing army. The brilliancy of their exploits on the many fields where they served, won for them the highest meed of praise, both in military and civil circles. Mul- tiplied were the terms in which expres- sion was given to this sentiment, but these words of the journals of a neighboring State: "The Iowa troops have been heroes among heroes," embody the spirit of all.

In the veteran re-enlistment that dis- tinguished the closing month of 1863, above all other periods in the history of re-enlistment for the National armies, the Iowa three-years' men (who were rela- tively more numerous than those of any other State), were prompt to set the ex- ample of volunteering for another term of equal length, thereby adding many thousands to the great army of those who

HISTORY OF IOWA.

gave this renewed and practical assurance that the cause of the Union should not be left without defenders.

In all the important movements of 1864 and '65, by which the confederacy was pen- etrated in every quarter, and its military power finally overthrown, the Iowa troops took part. Their drum-beat was heard on the banks of every great river of . the South, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande, and everywhere they rendered the same faithful devoted service, maintaining on all occasions their wonted reputation for valor in the field, and endurance on the march.

Two lowa 3-year cavalry regiments were employed during their whole term of ser- vice in the operations that were in progress from 1863 to 1866 against the hostile In- dians of the Western plains. A portion of these men were among the last of the volunteer troops to be mustered out of ser- vice. The State also supplied a consider- able number of men to the navy, who took part in most of the naval operations pros- ecuted against the Confederate power on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, and the riv- ers of the West,

The people of Iowa were early and con- stant workers in the sanitary field, and by their liberal gifts and personal efforts for the benefit of the soldiery, placed their State in the front rank of those who be- came distinguished for their exhibitions of patriotic benevolence during the period covered by the war. Agents appointed by the governor were stationed at points con- venient for rendering assistance to the sick and needy soldiers of the State, while oth- ers were employed in visiting, from time to time, hospitals, camps and armies in the

field, and doing whatever the circumstances rendered possible for the health and com- fort of such of the. Iowa soldiery as might be found there.

Charitable enterprises also found a ready support in Iowa. Some of the benevolent people of the State early conceived the idea of establishing a home for such of the children of deceased soldiers as might be left in destitute circumstances. This idea first took form in 1863, and in the follow- ing year a home was opencd at Farming- ton, Van Buren county, in a building leased for that purpose, and which soon became filled to its utmost capacity. The institu- tion received liberal donations from the general public, and also from the soldiers in the field. In 1865 it became necessary to provide increased accommodations for the large number of children who were seeking the benefits of its care. This was done by establishing a branch at Cedar Falls, in Black Hawk county, and by secur- ing, during the same year, for the use of the parent home, Camp Kinsman, near the city of Davenport This property, by act of Congress, was soon afterward donated to the institution. In 1866, in pursuance of a law enacted for that purpose, the Sol- diers' Orphans' Home (which then con- tained about 450 inmates), became a State institution, and thereafter the sums neces- sary for its support were appropriated from the State treasury. A second branch was established at Glenwood, Mills county. Convenient tracks were secured, and valu- able improvements made at all the different points. Schools werc also established, and employments provided for such of the children as were of suitable age. In every way the provision made for these wards

HISTORY OF IOWA.

of the State has been such as to challenge the approval of every benevolent mind. The number of children who have been inmates of the home from its foundation to the present time is considerably more than 2,000.

No bounty was paid by the State on account of the men she placed in the field. In some instances, toward the close of the war, bounty, to a comparatively small amount, was paid by cities and towns On only one occasion, that of the call of July 18, 1864, was a draft made in Iowa. This did not occur on account of her proper lia- bility, as established by previous rulings of the War Department, to supply men under that call, but grew out of the great necessity that there existed for raising men. The Government insisted on tem- porarily setting aside, in part, the former rule of settlements, and enforcing a draft in all cases where sub-districts in any of the States should be found deficient in their supply of men. In no instance was Iowa, as a whole, found to be indebted to the General Government for men, on a settlement of her quota accounts.

Not satisfied with merely doing her duty under the law, Iowa, of her patriotic gen- erosity, did more than was required. The 17th, 18th and 37th regiments of infantry, the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th regiments of cav- alry were all enrolled, not to meet any call from the General Government, but to enable citizens of the State to enlist un- der the banners of the Union, in excess of all demands which could lawfully be made.

The State also contributed a large num- ber of men and many officers to regiments in Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and out of a

population of less than 2,000 arms-bearing colored citizens, raised nearly a whole reg- iment of African troops. But besides the troops thus regularly enrolled within the State, and those who formed part of regi- ments in neighboring States, there were not a few of Iowa's citizens in the regular army, in the different staff departments of the volunteer army, and in commands to far distant States.

Those, also, should be noticed who werc called upon to protect the State and adjoin- ing States from raids, to preserve the inter- nal peace of the State, etc., in 1861, when Northern Missouri was overrun by preda- tory bands, and the loyal citizens were being driven from their homes by hun- dreds, and suffering in life, person and estate, the border Iowa yeomanry, unskilled in anything pertaining to war, responded to the Macedonian cry of their neighbors and speeded across the line to help them to the number of 1,500; they were armed with old fowling pieces and antiquated militia gear, but they proved effective, nevertheless, their hearts being in the right place. In the same year three expeditions were sent out to beat back the Jackson bushwhackers who were advancing on Iowa, driving out the Union people on their way. These expeditions numbered about 1,300 men, and performed valuable service in Missouri.

On the northern border, during the same year, the Sioux City cavalry, ninety- three men, and Captain Tripp's company, about fifty men, were employed to protect the borders against the Indians.

In 1862, under authority of the General Assembly, the Northern and Southern Border Brigades were organized-the one

HISTORY OF IOWA. "

for the protection of the State against guerilla bands on the south along the entire border, the other to keep in check the dis- affected Indians intent on mischief in the northwest. There were five companies of the Northern Border Brigade, two hun- dred and fifty men, and ten companies of the Southern Border Brigade, seven hun- dred and ninety-four men, judiciously stationed at exposed points. For two years the State, at her own expense, sup- ported these organizations. There can be no doubt that this was a wise expenditure, considering the service done-that of stay- ing murder, rapine and arson, which were threatening to stalk through the State.

Subsequently eight hundred militia in eleven companies were called out to sup- press the celebrated Talley treason in Keokuk county, and five hundred on ac- count of the disturbances in Poweshiek and Davies counties.

At the beginning of the war, the popu- lation of Iowa included about 150,000 men presumably liable to render military ser- vice. The State raised for general service thirty-nine regiments of infantry, nine regiments of cavalry, and four companies of artillery, composed of three years' men; one regiment of infantry, composed of three months' men, and four regiments and one batallion of infantry, composed of 100 days' men. The original enlistments in these various organizations, including 1,727 men raised by draft, numbered a little more than 69,000. The re-enlist- ments, including upward of 7,000 vete- rans, numbered very nearly 8,000. The enlistments in the regular army and navy, and organizations of other States, will, if added, raise the total to upward of 80,000.

The number of men who, under special enlistments, and as militia, took part at different times in- the operations on the exposed borders of the State, was probably as many as 5,000.

As an inevitable result of war, many became prisoners, and suffered the cruel- ties of Libby, Andersonville and other "pens" in the South, which have become famous the world over, solely because of the incredible barbarities practiced in them. Considerable portions of the 8th, 12th and 14th Regiments were captured, after hard fighting, at Shiloh; the 16th was nearly all surrendered at Atlanta; the 17th at Tilton; the 19th at Sterling farm; the 36th at Mark's Mill. Many escaped heroically from rebel imprisonment, and the narratives of their sufferings would make many interesting volumes.

Every loyal State of the Union had many women who devoted much time and great labor toward relieving the wants of our sick and wounded soldiery, but for Iowa can be claimed the honor of inaugu- rating the great charitable movement which was so successfully supported by the noble women of the North. Mrs. Harlan, "wife of Hon. James Harlan, United States Senator, was the first woman of our country among those moving in high circles of society who personally visited the army and ministered to the wants of the suffering soldiery. In many of her visits to the army, Mrs. Harlan was accompanied by Mrs. Joseph T. Fales, wife of the first State Auditor of Iowa. No words can describe the good done, the lives saved, and the deaths made easy by the host of noble women of Iowa, whose names it would take a volume to print.

'96

HISTORY OF IOWA.

Every county, every town, every neighbor- hood in the State had these true heroines, whose praise can never be fully known, till the final rendering of all accounts of deeds done in the body. The contributions of the State to "sanitary fairs" during the war were enormous, amounting to many hundred thousand dollars. Highly suc- cessful fairs were held at Dubuque, Mus- catine, Burlington and Marshalltown, while all the towns contributed most gen- erously to fairs of a less general nature. All this must be added to the work of the many "Florence Nightingales" of Iowa, whose heroic sacrifices have won for them the undying gratitude of the nation.

It is said, to the honor and credit of Iowa, that while many of the loyal States, o'der and larger in population and wealth, incurred heavy State debts for the purpose of fulfilling their obligations to the Gene- ral Government, Iowa, while she was fore- most in duty, while she promptly discharged all her obligations to her sister States and the Union, found herself at the close of the war without any material additions to her pecuniary liabilities incurred before the war commenced. Upon final settle- ment after restoration of peace, her claims upon the Federal Government were found to be fully equal to the amount of her bond issued and sold during the war to provide the means for raising and equip- ping her troops sent into the field, and to meet the inevitable demands upon her treasury in consequence of the war.

It was in view of these facts that Iowa had done more than her duty during the war, and that without incurring any con- siderable indebtedness, and that her troops had fought most gallantly on nearly every

battle-field of the war, that the Newark Advertiser and other prominent Eastern journals called Iowa the " Model State of the Republic."

In the following pages a brief account is given of each regiment, which was cred- ited to Iowa during the war.

THE FIRST REGIMENT was organized under the President's first proclamation for volunteers for three months, with John Francis Bates, of Dubuque, as Colonel; William H. Merritt, of Cedar Rapids, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and A. B. Porter, of Mt. Pleasant, as Major.

The regiment was mustered into the service of the United States May 14th, 1861, at Keokuk. The different compa- nies were independent military organiza- tions before the war; and tendered their service before the breaking out of hostili- ties. The regiment was in quarters in Keokuk for two weeks, During this time they became proficient in the use of arms, and they learned something of practical camp life. June 13th, the regiment re- ceived orders to join General Lyon in Missouri. They immediately embarked on board a steamer, and by midnight were at Hannibal, Mo., where they slept on the floor of a large warehouse. They pro- ceeded without delay to the interior of the State, where Gen. Lyon had just defeated Gov. Jackson with his so-called State troops. Joining Lyon, they were soon given a taste of active service. For two months they were almost constantly on the march, and occasionally skirmished with the enemy. August 10th, a sharp battle was fought with the enemy at Wilson's Creek, -when the gallant and

HISTORY OF IOWA.

noble Gen. Lyon was killed, and the regi- ment lost 10 killed and 50 wounded. After the battle the regiment proceeded to St. Louis, and their three months having expired, were mustered out August 25th, 1861. The number of officers and men in this regiment were 959. Of these 13 were killed, 13 died, 141 were wounded, and three were missing.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 12

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1316

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316