History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume I, Part 12

Author: Pratt, Harlow Munson, 1876-; Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago)
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 524


USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume I > 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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36


Restraining stock from running at large between sunset and sunrise, for, 855; against, 57I.


Restraining stock from running at large between August 15 and December 1, for, 624 ; against. 767.


October 12, 1875-Representative, Samuel Rees; auditor, J. B. Scott ; sheriff, P. W. Chantland : treasurer, Jonathan Hutchinson ; county superintendent. J. A. Adams : surveyor. C. H. Pierce ; coroner. S. J. Bennett ; supervisor district No. 5, E. B. Pierce.


Building bridge at Hart's Ford, for. 409 ; against. 954.


Building bridge at Tyson's Mill, for, 466; against. 908.


November 7. 1876-Clerk of district court, M. H. Bliss ; recorder, Jared Ful- ler; supervisor district No. 1, N. G. Roosa; supervisor district No. 2. D. S. Coughlon.


October 9, 1877-Representative, Oliver Tyson; treasurer. Arah Leonard; auditor. J. B. Scott; sheriff. P. W. Chantland; coroner, G. V. Patterson ; sur- veyor, Albert Morrison; county superintendent. Jabez A. Adams; supervisor district No. 3, William Ryan ; supervisor district No. 4. John Gabrielson.


October 9. 1878-Clerk of district court, J. E. Powers ; recorder, C. Arnold; supervisor district No. 3. Samuel Rees ; supervisor district No. 4. Jacob Ostrander.


October 14. 1879-Representative, John F. Duncombe ; auditor. John Haire; treasurer, Arah Leonard; sheriff, G. W. Hyatt; county superintendent. John G. Tapper ; surveyor. M. E. Smith : coroner. Dr. E. H. Klueber ; supervisor district No. 1, Samuel Heffner ; supervisor district No. 2, P. H. Cain.


November 2, 1880-Clerk of district court, M. H. Bliss; recorder. John Breen. Jr. ; supervisor district No. 3. S. J. Bennett ; supervisor district No. 4, J. I .. Kinney.


Calling convention to revise constitution, for. 1015; against. 394


Striking the word "free white" from the constitution, for, 981 ; against. 481.


Levying a tax of six and one-half mills, for. 722: against, 1460.


Building bridge at Hart's Ford, for, 794; against, 1416.


October 11. 1881-Representative. R. M. Wright; auditor. John Haire; treasurer. John W. Campbell; sheriff, P. W. Chantland ; county superintendent,


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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY


J. B. Butler ; county superintendent (to fill vacancy), D. G. Youker ; surveyor, C. H. Pierce ; coroner, Theron Nichols ; supervisor district No. 5, Jacob Ostrander.


Special election, June 28, 1882-Prohibitory amendment, for, 1498; against, 238.


November 7, 1882-Clerk of district court, M. H. Bliss; recorder, George H. Porter; supervisor district No. 1, Samuel Heffner ; supervisor district No. 2, P. H. Cain.


October 9, 1883-Representative, Cyrus C. Carpenter ; treasurer, John W. Campbell ; auditor, John Haire; sheriff, P. W. Chantland ; county superintendent, John B. Butler; surveyor, F. L. Easley; coroner, A. W. Garlock; supervisor district No. 3, S. J. Bennett ; supervisor district No. 4, E. A. Lynd.


November 4, 1884-Clerk of district court, M. H. Bliss; recorder, George H. Porter ; coroner, J. N. Palmer ; supervisor district No. 5, A. D. Rolfe.


Constitutional amendment fixing election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, for, 1109; against, 107.


Constitutional amendment giving general assembly power to reorganize judi- cial districts, for, 903 ; against, 293.


Constitutional amendment fixing the number of grand jurors at not less than three nor more than five, for, 987 ; against, 252.


Constitutional amendment establishing the office of county attorney and fix- ing the number of members of the general assembly at, representatives, 108, senators, 50; for, 1006; against, 210.


November 3. 1885-Representative, S. T. Meservey; auditor, J. W. Camp- bell; treasurer, D. W. Weller; sheriff, G. F. Gustafson ; county superintendent, S. B. Wilkinson; surveyor, F. L. Easley ; coroner, C. H. Paige; supervisor dis- trict No. I, Peter Hannon ; supervisor district No. 2, W. C. Ainsworth.


Revision state constitution, for, 321 ; against, 1437.


November 2, 1886-County attorney. Albert E. Clark ; clerk of district court, John Haire; recorder. George H. Porter; supervisor district No. 4, John T. Drug ; supervisor district No. 3. Martin White.


Three mill tax for county jail, for, 573; against, 1652.


November 8, 1887-Representative, I. L. Woods; auditor, John Wolfinger ; treasurer, J. J. Ryan ; sheriff, J. Q. Adams; superintendent, S. B. Wilkinson ; surveyor, J. C. Williams ; coroner, T. F. Grayson ; supervisor district No. 5, O. F. Blunk.


November 6, 1888-County attorney, Chas. H. Moore; clerk of district court, David J. Haire; recorder, F. W. Kruckman; supervisor district No. I, Peter Hannon; supervisor district No. 2, John T. Hood.


November 5, 1889-Representative, I. L. Woods; auditor, John Wolfinger ; treasurer, J. J. Ryan ; sheriff, J. A. Adams; county superintendent, John Carr ; surveyor, Fred Hess; coroner, C. H. Churchill; supervisor district No. 3, Mar- tin White ; supervisor district No. 4, J. T. Drug.


November 5, 1890-Clerk of district court, D. J. Haire; recorder, D. A. Peterson ; supervisor district No. 3, Samuel Rees; supervisor district No. 5, Walter Irvine; county attorney, James Martin.


Restraining stock from running at large, for, 1416; against, 976.


Revision of constitution, for, 321 ; against, 1437.


1


S


B


CEREAL


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GREAT WESTERN CEREAL COMPANY PLANT, FORT DODGE. Bought by Quaker Oats Company, 1911


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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY


November 3, 1891-Sheriff, J. A. Adams; treasurer, C. W. Newton; county superintendent, John Carr; coroner, C. H. Churchill; surveyor, Ezra Young ; supervisor district No. I, John Mallinger ; supervisor district No. 2, John T. Hood; supervisor district No. 4, John Linn (to fill vacancy ).


November 8, 1892-Auditor, T. A. Cunningham; clerk of district court, D. J. Haire : recorder, F. O. Blomgren; county attorney, W. S. Kenyon; county superintendent, Charles V. Findlay; supervisor district No. 3, Joseph Shaw ; supervisor district No. 4, John A. Lind.


November 7, 1893-Representative, Sam Burnquist; treasurer, C. W. New- ton ; sheriff, W. C. Woolsey; county superintendent, C. V. Findlay ; surveyor, F. S. Hoyt : coroner, J. W. Sommers ; supervisor district No. 5, W. V. Manchester.


November 6. 1894-Clerk of district court, G. F. Rankin; auditor, T. A. Cunningham ; county attorney, W. S. Kenyon ; recorder, F. O. Blomgren ; coroner, A. W. Garlock; supervisor district No. I, A. W. Mallinger; supervisor district No. 2, J. R. Coughlon.


November 5, 1895-Representative, Jonas P. Johnson ; treasurer, J. H. Abel; sheriff, W. C. Woolsey; county superintendent, C. V. Findlay ; surveyor, Fred Hoyt ; coroner, J. S. Nelson ; supervisor district No. 3, C. P. Julius; supervisor district No. 4, John A. Lind.


November 3, 1896-Clerk of district court, G. F. Rankin; auditor, T. A. Cunningham; recorder, Otto Ottosen; county attorney, William T. Chantland ; supervisor district No. 5, F. B. Drake.


November 2, 1897-Representative, F. J. Blake ; treasurer, J. H. Abel ; sheriff, F. A. Dowd; county superintendent, C. V. Findlay; surveyor, F. S. Hoyt ; cor- oner, H. Rose; supervisor district. No. 1, Andrew Hannon; supervisor district No. 2, J. T. Ryan.


November 8, 1898-Clerk of district court, G. F. Rankin; recorder, Otto Ottosen ; auditor, J. F. Ford ; county attorney, William T. Chantland ; supervisor district No. 3, (for long and short term) S. J. Bennett ; supervisor district No. 4, Swan Johnson.


November 7, 1899-Sheriff, F. A. Dowd; county superintendent, A. L. Brown; coroner, H. Rose; treasurer, J. A. Lindquist; surveyor, Charles H. Reynolds ; supervisor district No. 5, C. O. Hillstrom ; representative, F. J. Blake.


Building courthouse and levying tax of two mills, for, 2394; against, 1146. November 6, 1900-Auditor, J. F. Ford; clerk of district court, Charles H. Colby; recorder, Otto Ottosen; county attorney, C. W. Hackler; supervisor district No. 1, A. F. Simpson ; supervisor district No. 2, John T. Ryan.


Constitutional convention, for 2647; against, 1876.


Biennial election, for, 2875 ; against, 1691.


November 5, 1901-Representative, S. T. Meservey ; treasurer, J. A. Lind- quist ; sheriff, Henry Oleson; superintendent, A. L. Brown; surveyor, Charles H. Reynolds ; coroner, A. H. McCreight ; supervisor district No. 3, F. W. Collins ; supervisor district No. 4, Swan Johnson ; supervisor district No. 5, J. P. Hillstrom.


November 4, 1902-County auditor, J. F. Ford; clerk of district court, C. H. Colby ; recorder, A. C. Smith; county attorney, C. W. Hackler; supervisor dis- trict No. 5, J. P. Hillstrom.


Levying tax of one mill to build memorial hall and soldiers' monument, for, 1444; against, 2218.


Vol. I-7


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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY


November 3, 1903-Representative, R. M. Wright; treasurer, J. T. Ryan; sheriff, Henry Olson; county superintendent, A. L. Brown; surveyor, C. H. Reynolds; coroner, A. H. McCreight; supervisor district No. I, A. F. Simpson ; supervisor district No. 2, P. H. Cain.


November 8, 1904-County auditor, H. S. Holm; clerk of district court, Henry L. Weiss; recorder, A. C. Smith ; county attorney, B. J. Price ; supervisor district No. 3, Frank W. Collins; supervisor district No. 4, Anton Byer.


Biennial election, for, 2181 ; against, 2657.


Representative amendment, for, 1897; against, 2492.


November 6, 1906-County attorney, Charles W. Hackler; auditor, H. S. Holm; treasurer, Peter Hadley; clerk of district court, C. A. Bryant; sheriff, Henry Olson; county superintendent, M. P. Somes (to fill vacancy) ; county superintendent, E. E. Cavanaugh; surveyor, Charles H. Reynolds; coroner, Dr. J. D. Lowry ; supervisor district No. 1, P. J. Mitchell; supervisor district No. 3, E. H. Peschau; supervisor district No. 4, Anton Byer ; supervisor district No. 5, Charles A. Anderson ; supervisor district No. 2, D. S. Coughlon.


November 3, 1908-Representative, Charles W. Hackler; auditor, James L. Hanrahan ; treasurer, Peter Hadley; clerk of district court, C. A. Bryant ; sheriff. Rasmus S. Lund; recorder, Louis Fessler ; county attorney, F. A. Grosenbaugh ; county superintendent, E. E. Cavanaugh. Resigned 1909-Miss Mary Carey appointed to fill vacancy. Surveyor, C. H. Reynolds; coroner, J. D. Lowry ; supervisor district No. I, P. J. Mitchell; supervisor district No. 2, D. S. Cough- lon ; supervisor district No. 5, F. G. Cochran .*


November 8, 1910-Representative, John W. Campbell ; county auditor, James L. Hanrahan; county treasurer, A. C. Lindberg; sheriff, Rasmus S. Lund; recorder, Maude Lauderdale; county attorney, B. B. Burnquist ; county superin- tendent, Mary A. Carey ; coroner, J. D. Lowry ; supervisor district No. 3, F. H. Frahm; supervisor district No. 4, Anton Byer ; supervisor district No. 5, C. A. Anderson.


Constitutional convention to revise constitution and amendment to the same, for, 2435 ; against, 2196.


November 5, 1912-Representative, Peter Hadley; treasurer, A. C. Lindberg ; recorder, Maude Lauderdale; clerk, G. L. Lindquist ; county superintendent, Mary A. Carey ; coroner, J. D. Lowry ; auditor, James L. Hanrahan ; supervisor district No. 1, B. J. Simpson ; supervisor district No. 2, Gus Voights ; supervisor district No. 3, F. H. Frahm; supervisor district No. 4, I. L. Reedholm. (Termi begins 1914. )


* Returns show Cochran elected, but on contest went to his opponent C. A. Anderson


DR. S. B. OLNEY Surgeon Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry


MRS. S. B. OLNEY (Stella B.)


THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY


ASTON, LENOX AND TILD N FOUNDATION .


CHAPTER IX


WEBSTER COUNTY IN CIVIL WAR


COMPANY "I," THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY


On the 9th day of July, 1862. Samuel J. Kirkwood, governor of Iowa, issued the following proclamation :


I have this day received from the secretary of war a telegram, requesting me to raise as soon as practicable, for the United States service, for three years or during the war, five regiments of volunteer infantry, being a part of the quota of this state, under the late call of the president for 300,000 men. The preservation of the Union, the perpetuity of our government, the honor of our state, demand that this requisition shall be promptly met. Our harvest is upon us, and we have feared a lack of force to secure it. But we must imitate our brave Iowa boys in the field, meet new emergencies with new exertions. Our old men and our boys unfit for war, if need be, our women, must help to gather harvest, while those able to bear arms go forth to aid their brave brethren in the field. The necessity is urgent. Our national existence is at stake. The more promptly the president is furnished the needed troops, the more speedily - will this unholy rebellion be crushed, and the blessings of peace again visit our land. Until then we men must expect the hardships and privations of war. The time has come when men must make-as many have already made-sacrifices of ease, comfort and business, for the cause of the country. The enemy, by a sweeping conscription, have forced into their ranks all men capable of bearing arms. Our government has, as yet, relied upon the voluntary action of our citi- zens. But, if need be, the same energies must be exerted to preserve our govern- ment that traitors are using to destroy it.


lowa City, July 9, 1862.


SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.


The patriotic sons of Iowa promptly responded to this earnest appeal of the governor. The Thirty-second Infantry was one of the five regiments that were organized and sent to the field in compliance with this call of the president. Recruiting began as soon as the governor's proclamation was published. Camp Franklin, near Dubuque, Iowa, was designated by the governor as the rendezvous of the regiment. The ten companies were ordered into quarters as fast as their organizations were completed. It would appear, from the wide discrepancy in dates upon which the orders were given, that some of the companies had been partially, if not wholly, organized in anticipation of the call, as the dates of the


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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY


orders ranged from July 3 to September 8, 1862. Upon the latter date the companies had all assembled at Camp Franklin, and, on the 6th day of October, 1862, they were there mustered into the service of the United States, by Captain George S. Pierce, of the regular army, and the organization of the regiment was completed by the muster in of the field and staff officers on the same date.


Colonel John Scott had resigned the office of Lieutenant Colonel of the Third Iowa Infantry, upon being tendered the appointment, by Governor Kirk- wood, of the office of colonel of the Thirty-second Infantry. Upon the recom- mendation of Colonel Scott, the governor appointed Edward H. Mix, lieutenant colonel, and Gustavus A. Eberhart, major, of the regiment. These officers had all had the benefit of experience as soldiers in one of the first regiments that the state had sent into the field (the Third Iowa Infantry), and had fully demon- strated their fitness and capacity to properly discharge the duties of their respec- tive offices. The staff officers were all men of high character and ability, and the regiment was fortunate in their selection. The same may be said of the company officers. An examination of the roster of the Thirty-second Iowa will show that the average age of both officers and men was greater than that of the earlier regiments, and there was a proportionately larger number of married men among them. The records show that there was an aggregate number of 925 men and officers in the regiment, at the date of its muster into the service. During its stay at Camp Franklin, the time was utilized to the best advantage, and, when the regiment left the state, it had probably acquired a better general knowledge of the duties it would be called upon to perform, than most of the regiments which preceded it had been able to obtain, prior to leaving their rendezvous.


On November 16, 1862, the regiment embarked on transports and was con- veyed to St. Louis, Missouri, and went into quarters at Benton Barracks. On November 25th, by order of Major General Curtis, commanding department of Missouri, Companies B, C, E, H, I and K, with the regimental headquarters, left St. Louis and were conveyed to New Madrid, Missouri, and, on the next day, Companies A, D, F and G, under command of Major Eberhart, were conveyed to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. From this time until March 4, 1864, the operations of the detachment of the four companies under Major Eberhart and the six com- panies under Colonel Scott were distinct, separate and independent of each other.


Upon arriving at New Madrid with the six companies of his regiment, Colonel Scott, in accordance with his instructions, assumed command of the post. It did not take him long to discover that, prior to his arrival, disloyal men had been favored and protected; that large amounts of merchandise of all descriptions had been distributed from New Madrid and had gone beyond the Union lines, into the possession of those who were engaged in armed rebellion. Negroes, who had escaped and sought protection of the Union soldiers, had been returned to slavery. Colonel Scott did not believe in the policy of conciliating those who were in full sympathy with the rebellion and who were active in their efforts to furnish aid and comfort to the enemy. The most active of those rebel sympathizers was a man who was not a naturalized citizen of the United States, and who claimed the protection of the British government. The general in command of the department listened to the protests of those who wanted to


I.H.I. CO.


HON. GEORGE W. BASSETT Promoter of Fort Dodge and Fort Ridgley Railroad


CAPTAIN J. A. O. YOEMAN


THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY


AS' On, LENOX AND TI D N FOUNDATIONS,


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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY


have Colonel Scott removed from the command of the post and strange as it may appear, seemed inclined to grant their request.


On the 17th of December, a detachment from Colonel Scott's command, com- posed of Companies C and I, under command of Captain Peebles, made a recon- noissance into the country west of New Madrid. The detachment was absent five days, marched about one hundred miles, and captured eight prisoners and a quantity of arms and stock. It discovered no considerable force of the enemy, and showed that the report that a large rebel force was moving against New Madrid was without foundation. On December 23d Colonel Scott, with a detachment from his command, embarked on the steamer "Davenport" and pro- ceeded on a tour of examination of the points along the river at which illicit trade (or smuggling goods into the enemy's lines) was being carried on, with the view to prevent same, as far as it was possible to do so with the resources at his command. On his return from this trip, Colonel Scott reported to General Thomas A. Davies, at Columbus, Kentucky, who had command of the military district of Columbus, and who claimed that the post of New Madrid was included in his district, and was supported in that statement by General Fisk, who was present and who had just returned from the headquarters of General Curtis in St. Louis. Up to that time Colonel Scott had received his orders direct from General Curtis. General Davies stated that it was necessary that Colonel Scott should at once abandon the post at New Madrid, and proceed with his com- mand to Fort Pillow, which was in danger of being captured by the enemy. Feeling that the abandonment of New Madrid was unwise, but recognizing the fact that General Davies was his superior officer, Colonel Scott took the precau- tion to request a written order, which was given, as follows :


Columbus, December 27, 1862.


Colonel Scott, Commanding Thirty-second Iowa, New Madrid :


You will immediately proceed to New Madrid, burn the gun carriages and wooden platforms, and spike the guns and destroy the ammunition totally. Take the same boat and proceed to Fort Pillow, under convoy of gunboat, and report to Colonel Wolfe, commanding at that place.


THOMAS A. DAVIES, Brigadier General.


Colonel Scott, having made personal protest against the necessity for this order, proceeded to obey it, and carried out his instructions to the letter. He proceeded with his command to Fort Pillow and reported to the commander, Colonel Wolfe, for duty. General Curtis censured Colonel Scott for obeying the order of General Davies, and a military commission was appointed to investigate the matter and report its findings to General Curtis. After a full and complete investigation, the commission found that Colonel Scott did right in obeying the order, that he simply performed his duty, and was honorably acquitted of all blame. The report was signed by Brigadier General William K. Strong, presi- dent, and Colonel Albert G. Bracket, recorder, of the commission, and the find- ings were approved by General Curtis, and thus Colonel Scott was completely vindicated from the unjust censure, not only by the commission, but by General Curtis himself. It is the first duty of the soldier to obey orders, otherwise it would be impossible to maintain discipline. There were many instances in which


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subordinate officers yielded prompt obedience to orders which as subsequent events proved, were unwise and should not have been given, but the officer in authority had the right to demand obedience, and those under his command were bound to obey, no matter what their opinion might be as to the wisdom or unwis- dom of the order. It will, therefore, be seen that Colonel Scott simply acted the part of a true soldier, and gave a good example to the officers and men of his own regiment, who like himself, could not see the necessity for abandoning the post.


The headquarters of the regiment remained at Fort Pillow until June 18, 1863. During a part of this time Company B, with Capt. A. B. Miller in com- mand, occupied the post at Fulton, Tennessee, three miles below Fort Pillow. Detachments were sent on scouts in the vicinity of the fort, from time to time, acting in conjunction with the Second Illinois Cavalry, and occasionally these scouting parties came into contact with the enemy, but the fighting which took place mainly devolved upon the cavalry which proceeded in advance, the infantry following as a support in case the enemy were found in considerable force, which was seldom the case. Garrison duty and daily drill was the principal duty of the troops at Fort Pillow. On the 17th and 18th of June, 1863, the six companies of the Thirty-second Iowa embarked on transports and were conveyed to Columbus, Kentucky, at which place they went into camp and remained until January 21, 1864.


On July 10, 1863, Union City was captured by a force of rebels. This place was twenty-six miles south of Columbus, on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad. Colonel Scott received orders to proceed with his command by rail to Union City, which order was promptly obeyed, but the enemy abandoned the place and retreated rapidly before Colonel Scott's command arrived and, in obedience to orders from General Asboth, the colonel returned with his troops to Columbus. On July 11, 1863, Colonel Scott succeeded to the command of the post of Colum- bus. At this time Company C, Captain Peebles commanding, was mounted and attached to the Fourth Missouri Cavalry, for scouting duty. Company E, under Captain Jones, was sent to Fort Quimby, near Columbus, and Companies H and K, under Captain Benson, were sent to Island Number Ten. This left only Companies B and I on duty at regimental headquarters, with Captain A. B. Miller in command, Lieutenant Colonel Mix being absent at that time, as presi- dent of a court-martial at Cairo, Ill. The service performed by Company C, with the Fourth Missouri Cavalry, was arduous and important. That regiment was constantly in pursuit of roving bands of the enemy, engaged in securing and forwarding conscripts to the rebel army, and in committing depredations upon the property of loyal citizens in the surrounding regions of Kentucky and Tennessee. These expeditions extended. over hundreds of miles and involved much hardship to the troops engaged in them. The two companies at Island Number Ten also made frequent expeditions upon both sides of the river, in one of which John D. Baker, of Company H, was killed.


On January 20, 1864, Colonel Scott received orders to assemble the six companies of his regiment at Columbus, where they shortly afterwards embarked and were conveyed to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where they disembarked and went into camp. General Sherman was just then completing his preparations for that remarkable expedition which penetrated into the heart of the state of Mississippi and inflicted a telling blow to the rebellion, in that portion of the south, from


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SCENES IN FORT DODGE IN 1863


First schoolhouse -Bird's-eye view of the city -Webster County courthouse-Commercial National Bank corner- Central Avenue, looking west --- Catholic Church, site of Corpus Christi


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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY


which it never fully recovered. Colonel Scott's detachment of the Thirty-second Iowa was assigned to the Second Brigade of the Third Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps; Col. William T. Shaw of the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry was in command of the brigade ; Brigadier General A. J. Smith commanded the division, and Maj. Gen. S. A. Hurlbut was in command of the corps. The army left Vicksburg on the 3d day of February, and returned to that place on March 4, 1864, having marched 328 miles. The troops had been supplied with but ten days' rations when the march began, and, after that supply was exhausted, lived upon such food as could be obtained in the country through which they passed. This involved the necessity of sending out forage trains every day, with large details to guard them, as the enemy's cavalry in large force hovered in front and upon either flank of General Sherman's army, which was composed of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Corps and one division of cavalry. There was more or less fighting every day, mainly done by the cavalry which led the advance and by the infantry which constituted the guard to forage trains. The troops had no tents while on this expedition and suffered much from the inclemency of the weather. The six companies of the Thirty-second Iowa, under command of Colonel Scott, performed their share of duty upon this long and arduous march, but they did not come into contact with any considerable body of the enemy. The only casualties reported were: George A. Todd, of Company I, captured, and Edward Flood, of Company C, killed, while engaged in guarding forage train. At the close of his official report, Colonel Scott says : "The labors and privations of this expedition were borne alike, by officers and men, with great cheerfulness, and a capacity for enduring fatigue and exposure both gratifying and astonishing."




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