USA > Iowa > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 12
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On the 7th day of June, 1861, Clement Coffin, member of the committee on paupers, reported to the board of supervisors, recommending that a proposition be submitted to the electorate of the county for the purchase of land, to be used as a home and retreat for that class of the county's citizens unable to eare and provide for itself, the same to be known as the poor farm. After recommitment with instructions, the question was again submitted to the board, this time taking the form of placing before the voters the proposition of purchasing a farm for the poor, and raising not to exceed three thousand dollars for the purpose. The report was accepted. The question was voted upon at the ensuing October election and was rejected by a majority of 199.
In the meantime the county had leased a house and tract of land belonging to Samuel Gookin to shelter its poor. William Terwiliger. F. B. Doolittle and Andrew Lord were appointed directors of the poorhouse. In January, 1863. the directors of the poorhouse were authorized to purchase a farm, and on June 5th, F. B. Doolittle was appointed commissioner, for the purpose, and authorized "to negotiate with the owners of the premises now ocenpied by the county as a poorhonse, provided he shall not pay more than one thousand dollars for the same," and in the event of closing the transaction, the county clerk was instructed to issue county orders for the purchase money. The place in view at this time was not bought and Commissioner Doolittle was authorized to negotiate for the "Hefner farm" at a price not to exceed one thousand dollars. This arrange- ment also came to naught and nothing further seems to have been done in the matter until the year 1865, when, on January 4. F. B. Doolittle, Joseph Grimes and D. P. Baker were appointed a commission "to view the Horton or any other farm, and purchase the same for a county farm. at a reasonable price."
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COURTHOUSE, MANCHESTER
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
On the 8th of June, 1865, the commission reported to the board of supervisors that a contraet had been made for a tract of land containing 22214 acres, on section 18, Delhi Township, consideration $2,000. This contract was indorsed by the board and Judge Doolittle was requested to prepare plans for a suitable building.
No new buildings were erected on the farm, however, until 1873. An old house on the place was made to answer the county's purpose until a better one took its place. A move in this direction was made in July, 1873, when the board of supervisors entered into a contract with N. W. Austin for the erection of a brick building. This is a large two-story structure, with basement, which later was enlarged by the addition of wings. The old building was moved to the rear and converted into a barn.
Since the plans of the county authorities attained their fruition, the helpless and unfortunate of her people applying for aid at this institution have found the shelter and care necessary to their well being. This infirmary has main- tained high repute among kindred establishments in the state and is a credit to the community maintaining it. The present steward is John A. Pierce, who reported the average number of inmates for the year 1913, at 1634.
CHAPTER IX
DELAWARE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR
John Brown, who declared and honestly believed himself chosen of the Lord to strike the shaekles from the southern slave, was hanged on the gallows at Charlestown, near Harper's Ferry, Virginia, on the 2d day of December, 1859, as a penalty for his misguided attempt to cause an uprising of the blacks in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, where he and his small band of followers had for- cibly taken possession of the United States arsenal. This event eaused a furor of exeitement in the South, and events that made for internecine strife and the bloodiest eivil war on record were hastened at a furious speed toward Fort Sumter, where the shot was fired that echoed its baleful signifieance throughout the hills and vales of Christendom. The walls of Fort Sumter were battered by the rebel guns at Charleston, South Carolina, by the would-be assassins of the Union on the morning of April 12, 1861, and in twenty-four hours there- after news of the world momentous aetion had reached every accessible corner of the United States. In the South the portentous message was generally received with boisterous demonstrations of joy and the belief on the part of the masses that the day would soon come for their deliverance from the "northern yoke" and that their "peculiar institution" was to be perpetuated under the constitution and laws of a new confederacy of states. In the North a different feeling possessed the people. The firing on Fort Sumter was looked upon with anger and sadness, and the determination was at onee formed to uphold the integrity of the Union and the perpetuity of its institutions. It was then that Abraham Lincoln began his great work of preserving the Union.
TIIE CALL FOR TROOPS
On the 16th of April, four days following the assault on Fort Sumter, Gov. Samuel J. Kirkwood, of Iowa, received the following telegram from Simon Cameron, secretary of war:
"Call made on you by tonight's mail for one regiment of militia for im- mediate service."
That very day the governor proclaimed to the people of Iowa that the nation was imperiled and invoked the aid of every loyal citizen in the state. The telegram above alluded to was received at Davenport. The governor was then residing at Iowa City but there was no telegraphie communication in those days between the two cities.
It was important that the dispatch should reach the eyes of the governor at once, and General Vandever. then a civilian, volunteered to take the message to Iowa City. The governor was found on his farm outside the city by the self- appointed messenger, dressed in homespun and working in the field. Reading
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
the dispatch, Governor Kirkwood expressed extreme surprise and exclaimed : "Why, the President wants a whole regiment of men! Do yon suppose I can raise so many as that, Mr. Vandever?" When ten Iowa regiments were offered a few days later the question was answered.
THIE PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION
President Lincoln announced, April 15, 1861, that the execution of the laws of the Union had been obstructed in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama. Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas by "combinations too powerful to be sup- pressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings. or by the powers vested in the marshals by law." He called ont the militia to the number of 75,000. Seeing that the insurgents had not dispersed in the states named and that the inhabitants of Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee had joined them, he issued this proclamation. August 16, 1861 :
"Whereas, on the 15th day of April, 1861, the President of the United States, in view of an insurrection against Laws, Constitution and Government of the United States, which has broken ont within the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, and in pursuance of the provisions of the act entitled, 'An aet to provide for calling forth the militia to exeente the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel inva- sions, and to repeal the act now in force for that purpose,' approved February 28, 1795, did all forth the militia to suppress said insurrection and cause the laws of the Union to be duly executed and the insurgents having failed to disperse by the time directed by the President ; and whereas, such insurrection has since broken out and yet exists within the states of Virginia, North Carolina. Ten- nessee and Arkansas; and whereas, the insurgents in all the said states claim to act under the authority thereof, and such claim is not diselaimed or repudiated by the persons exercising the functions of government in such state or states. or in the part or parts thereof in which combinations exist, nor has any such insurrection been suppressed by said states :
"Now, therefore, I. Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States. in pursuance of an act of Congress approved July 13, 1861, do hereby declare that the inhabitants of the said states of Georgia. South Carolina. Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Florida (except the inhabitants of that part of Virginia lying west of the Alleghany Mountains, and of such other parts of that state and the other states hereinbefore named as may maintain a loyal adhesion to the Union and the Constitution or may be from time to time occupied and controlled by the forces of the United States engaged in the dispersion of said insurgents), are in a state of insurrection against the United States; and that all commercial inter- course between the same and the inhabitants thereof, with the exception afore- said, and the citizens of other states and other parts of the United States, is unlawful, and will remain unlawful until such insurrection shall eease or has been suppressed; that all goods and chattels, wares and merchandise, coming from any of said states with the exception aforesaid, into other parts of the United States, without the special license and permission of the President, through the secretary of the treasury, or proceeding to any said states, with
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
the exceptions aforesaid, by land and water, together with the vessel or vehicle conveying the same or conveying persons to or from said states, with said exceptions, will be forfeited to the United States: and that from and after fifteen days from the issuing of this proclamation, all ships and vessels belonging in whole or in part to any citizen or inhabitant of any of said states with said exceptions found at sea or in any port of the United States will be forfeited to the United States, and I hereby enjoin upon all district attorneys. marshals and officers of the revenue and of the military and naval forces of the United States to be vigilant in the execution of said act, and in the enforcement of the penalties and forfeitures imposed or declared by it; leaving any party who may think himself aggrieved thereby to his application to the secretary of the treasury for the remission of any penalty or forfeiture, which the said secretary is authorized by law to grant if, in his judgment, the special circumstances in any case shall require such remission.
"In witness whereof. I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
"Done at the City of Washington. this 16th day of August, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the independence of the United States of America the eighty-sixth year.
"ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
IOWA RALLIES TO THE COLORS
"Whether in the promptitude of her responses to the calls made on her by the general government, in the courage and constancy of her soldiery in the field." said Col. A. P. Wood, of Dubuque, upon one occasion. "or in the wisdom and efficiency with which her civil administration was conducted during the trying period covered by the war of the rebellion. Towa proved herself the peer of any loyal state. The proclamation of her governor, Samuel J. Kirk- wood. responsive to that of the President calling for volunteers to compose her first regiment, was issued on the fourth day after the fall of Sumter. At the end of only a single week men enough were reported to be in quarters (mostly in the vicinity of their own homes) to fill the regiment. These, however, were hardly more than a tithe of the umber who had been offered by company commanders for acceptance under the President's call. So urgent were these offers that the governor requested on the 24th of April permission to organize an additional regiment. While awaiting the answer to this request he eondi- tionally accepted a sufficient number of companies to compose two additional regiments. In a short time he was notified that both of these would be accepted. Soon after the completion of the second and third regiments, which was near the close of May, the adjutant general of the state reported that upward of one hundred and seventy companies had been tendered to the governor to serve against the enemies of the Union.
IOWA TROOPS REENLISTED
"In the veteran reenlistments that distinguished the closing months of 1863 above all other periods of reenlistments for the national armies, the lowa three
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
years' men who were relatively more numerous than those of any other state, were prompt to set the example of volunteering for another of equal length, thereby adding many thousands to the great army of those who 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 1865 by which the Confederacy was penetrated in every quarter and its military power finally overthrown, the lowa troops took part. Their drumbeat 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 and devoted service, maintain- ing on all occasions their wonted reputation for valor in the field and endurance on the march.
IOWA PAID NO BOUNTY
"lowa paid no bounty 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 liability, as established by previous ruling 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 temporarily setting aside in part the former rule of settlements and enforeing a draft in all cases where subdistricts in any of the states should be found deficient in their supply of men. In no instance was Towa, as a whole, found to be indebted to the general government for men on a settlement of her quota account."
DELAWARE COUNTY IS LOYAL
When they fully realized that war was on, the people of Delaware were not slow to manifest their loyalty to the Union. A calm, but determined people they were! In groups on the streets, at their homes and business places, in mass meetings assembled and even in the churches the topic of universal diseussion was the insult to the flag and proposed secession of the states south of Mason and Dixon's line. Men were ready and cager to enlist for the war, which many thought would be a short one. Money was offered by men of large heart and patriotism to assist in recruiting troops. The plow, the scoop and the pen were dropped to take up the accoutrements of war, and such patriots as Cols. John C. Peters, Salue G. Van Anda, Capt. John F. Merry, and others, gave their time, energies and influence toward the enlistment of men, all of whom went to the front and gave, by their services, an honorable place to Delaware County in the military history of this country. All fought bravely. Some were killed in battle and their bodies lie in unknown graves where they fell. Others lost their health and strength in camp, or in the field, or southern prisons, some of whom died there, while others found their way back home, either maimed or broken in health. The returning veterans, however, were greeted with open arms by friend and neighbor and the community in which they lived tendered them publie demonstrations of appreciation of the patriotic duties performed in fighting for their country's welfare. A list of the men who went to the front from Delaware County follows, as furnished by the adjutant general's reports of the State of Iowa:
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
FIRST INFANTRY
The First Regiment lowa Volunteers was composed of independent military companies organized before the war began, and enlisted for three months. It is said that Captain Herron and his company tendered their services to the secretary of war three months before the commencement of hostilities. This regiment was engaged at Wilson's Creek under General Lyon and lost ten killed and nearly fifty wounded.
Collins. James, enlisted April 23, 1861.
Collins. Joseph. enlisted April 23. 1861; reenlisted Twelfth Infantry, Sep- tember 10. 1861, now sergeant.
Wall. F. M., enlisted April 23. 1861, as private in Company HI, Sixteenth Infantry.
THIRD INFANTRY
The Third Regiment was raised, drilled and sent to the front about August 1. 1861. Its first engagement was at Blue Mills, Missouri, September 18, 1861. It fought gallantly at Shiloh two days, the second day under command of Lieutenant Cusley. the regimental officers being off duty or wonnded. At Matamora, October 5. 1862, the regiment suffered heavily. On its way to join General Grant before Vicksburg, the Third was attacked by guerrillas and had fourteen men wounded; participated in the operations at Vicksburg: July 12. 1863. went into battle at Johnson, Mississippi, with 241 men and lost 114 killed, wounded and missing: participated in the Meridian expedition, arriving there February 3. 1864, and the next day tore up fifteen miles of railroad; near Atlanta did good service July 28. Greatly reduced in mimbers, the survivors reenlisted. forming three companies, and consolidated with the Second Infantry.
The non-veterans of this regiment were minstered out in January and July. 1864.
COMPANY C
First lieutenant, Abel A. Franklin, enlisted as musician May 18, 1861 : promoted first sergeant, then second lieutenant, July 18, 1862.
Sergeant, John II. Earl, enlisted May 18, 1861.
Sergeant. Stephen Cousins, enlisted May 18, 1861 ; wounded April 6, 1861.
Privates
Baldwin, C., enlisted May 18, 1861 : discharged June 16, 1862.
Babcock, Charles, enlisted May 18. 1861 ; taken prisoner at Shiloh, April 6, 1×62.
Blue. Ennis, enlisted February 5, 1864 ; discharged August 27. 1864.
Gibbs. William, enlisted May 18, 1861.
Gostling. George G .. enlisted May 18, 1861.
Griffith. Robert P., enlisted May IS. 1861 : promoted second corporal : wounded at Shiloh. April 6. 1862.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Holmes, D. W., enlisted May 18, 1861; discharged for disability November 26, 1861.
Hopson. A. E., enlisted May 18, 1861; discharged for disability November 26. 1861.
Libby, E., Jr., enlisted May 18, 1861 ; died August 24, 1863, at Natchez.
Michael, George, enlisted May 18, 1861 ; transferred to Invalid Corps, Febru- ary 15, 1864.
Noble. James L., enlisted May 18, 1861 : discharged for disability.
Richmond, Walter, enlisted May 18, 1861.
Sanford, George, enlisted May 18, 1864.
Sanford, George, enlisted May 18, 1861.
THIRD VETERAN INFANTRY
COMPANY .1
Captain. Robert P. Griffith, commissioned July 8, 1864; killed in battle ( while corporal ) at siege of Atlanta, July 22, 1864.
FIFTH INFANTRY
The Fifth Regiment Infantry saw its first active service in front of New Madrid, when Companies A and B occupied the skirmish line: did brilliant service in the operations against Island No. 10, and after its surrender was directed to inseribe "New Madrid and Island No. 10" upon its flag. At Inka, September 19, 1862, the regiment lost heavily. During April and May, 1863, heavy skirmishing in Louisiana and Mississippi and participated in the operations before Vicksburg. At Chattanooga one-third of the regiment was captured. At Mission Ridge it was again on the skirmish line; mustered out at Kingston. Alabama. This regiment was disbanded in August. 1864.
COMPANY K
Captain, Daniel S. Malvin, commissioned second lieutenant ; promoted first lieutenant, February 1. 1862; promoted captain, March 1, 1862; reduced to first lieutenant.
Second lieutenant, Jerome Darling, enlisted as corporal, July 1, 1861 ; pro- moted first sergeant, then second lieutenant. September 20, 1862; died May 17, 1863, of wounds received at battle of Champion Hills.
Sergeant, O. II. Smith, captured November 25, 1862, at Chattanooga.
Corporal, William T. Crozier, enlisted July 1, 1861.
Corporal, William Setchfield, enlisted July 1. 1861: wounded at Inka, September 19, 1862.
Privates
Burrington, C. L., enlisted Inly 1. 1861 ; missing after battle of luka.
Borrett, William, enlisted JJuly 1. 1861 : committed suicide on Steamer War Eagle, September 19, 1861.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Carlton. George, enlisted Inly 1, 1861.
Doolittle. A. K., enlisted December 22, 1863.
Doolittle, William A., oulisted July 1. 1861.
Field, Job M., enlisted Inly 1. 1861: captured at Chattanooga, November 25. 1863.
Field, S. W. F .. enlisted July 1. 1861 : killed in battle of Inka. September 19, 1862.
Griffin, Asel, enlisted July 1. 1861.
Gilbert. N., enlisted July 1, 1861 ; discharged for disability February 13. 1862. fallenbeek, J., enlisted July 1. 1861: captured at Chattanooga. November 25, 1863.
Healey. John, enlisted July 1. 1861 : died September 27, 1862, of wounds received at Iuka.
Lnekinbill, E., enlisted July 1. 1861.
Moshier. Tunis, enlisted July 1, 1861.
Noble. A. F., enlisted July 1, 1861.
Shryock. S .. enlisted July 1. 1861; wounded in battle of luka. September 19. 1862.
Truby. R. B .. enlisted July 1, 1861 ; died March 27. 1862, at St. Louis.
Wattson, George F., enlisted July 1, 1861.
Webb. James, enlisted July 1, 1861: captured at Chattanooga, November 25. 1863.
NINTH INFANTRY
The Ninth Infantry was sent to the front in 1861. Hon. William Vandever resigned his seat in Congress to take command of the Fifth. The regiment was first under fire at Pea Ridge, where it behaved gallantly; was in the Yazoo expedition in 1863. The Third Iowa Battery was recruited as a component part of the Ninth. The regiment participated in the movements against Atlanta and in the famous march through the Carolinas under an lowa officer and with three other Iowa regiments captured Columbia. This regiment was mustered out July 18, 1865, at Louisville. Officers not otherwise accounted for were mustered out with regiment.
COMPANY D
Sergeant. James E. Kirkwood, enlisted September 5. 1861; reenlisted as veteran January 1. 1864; wounded at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 7, 1862.
Corporal. John B. Miller, enlisted September 5, 1861 ; promoted from private February 1, 1862; wounded at Atlanta. July 22, 1864.
Privates
Boyer, I. C., enlisted August 29, 1861; died March 14, 1862. of wounds received at Pea Ridge, Arkansas.
Edgington. Thomas J., enlisted Angust 16, 1861 : discharged for disability Jannary 18, 1861.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Gilbert, F. D., enlisted August 29, 1861; promoted to fourth corporal, March 17, 1862.
Gale, William L., enlisted August 29. 1861 : discharged for disability, January 18, 1862.
King, William H .. enlisted August 26, 1861; reenlisted as veteran January 1, 1864.
Matkew, Lewis, enlisted August 23, 1861 ; discharged July 16, 1862 ; reenlisted as veteran January 1, 1864.
Mersellus, John, enlisted September 12. 1861 ; reenlisted as veteran January 1,1864.
Phillips, Alexander, enlisted August 23. 1861: discharged for disability January 11, 1862.
Smith, John Isaac, enlisted August 16, 1861.
Smith, E. A., enlisted September 17. 1861 ; killed March 7, 1862. in action at l'ea Ridge.
MeCullough. William. enlisted August 30. 1861 ; reenlisted as veteran Jan- ary 23. 1864.
Blasdell. B. A .. enlisted February 25. 1864.
Colyer, Charles C., enlisted February 27. 1864.
Dickey, Charles H .. enlisted February 26, 1864.
Diekey, F. N., enlisted February 20. 1864.
Havens, Romango, enlisted February 26, 1864.
Owens. James. Fr .. eulisted February 26. 1864.
COMPANY E
Corporal, Alberd D. Strunk, enlisted September 23, 1861, as private ; promoted corporal, March 10. 1862.
COMPANY F .
Private, Seaton, Asa M .. enlisted September 13, 1861 : died at Young's Point. Louisiana, March 20. 1863.
COMPANY G
Second lieutenant. Jacob Platt, enlisted as sergeant July 28. 1861 ; promoted first sergeant, then second lieutenant. August 4. 1863; reenlisted as veteran. January 1, 1864; discharged as first sergeant, for disability, JJuly 25, 1864.
Sergeant, Milton F. Fowler, enlisted July 28, 1861: reenlisted as veteran -January 1, 1864; wounded July 22. 1864. at Atlanta.
Privates
C'ostello, Thomas, enlisted September 3. 1861 ; reenlisted as veteran January 1, 1864.
Cuppet. David L .. enlisted September 10. 1861: wounded at Pea Ridge, reenlisted as veteran January 1, 1864.
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IHISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
MeGuigan, William Il., enlisted September 10. 1861: killed in action at. Vicksburg, May 22. 1863.
Michaels. Aaron, enlisted September 18. 1861; died March 15. 1862. of wounds received at l'ea Ridge.
Shrunk. Joseph, enlisted September 24, 1861.
Waters. John Il .. reenlisted as veteran January 1, 1864.
Wells, T. P., enlisted September 18, 186] ; reenlisted as veteran Jamary 1. 1864: discharged for disability.
COMPANY K
Sergeant, Thomas A. Farrington, reenlisted as veteran Janmary 26, 1864.
Privates
Clark, William, enlisted February 29, 1864, unassigned. Gilham, Jordan, enlisted February 20, 1864, unassigned. Kirk, William If., enlisted February 2, 1864, unassigned.
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