History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 52

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002

USA > Iowa > Hardin County > History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 52

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Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated March 4, 1861, in front of the capitol, the inaugura- tion cermonies being witnessed by a vast concourse of people. Before taking the oath, Mr. Lincoln pronounced in a clear, ringing voice, his inaugural address, to hear which there was an almost painful solicitude, to read which the whole Ameri- can people and the civilized world awaited

with irrepressible anxiety. With that address, and the administration of the oath of office, the people were assured. All doubt, if any had previously existed, was removed. In the hands of Abraham Lincoln, the people's President, and him- self of the people, the government was safe.

Traitors were still busy, plotting and planning. Troops were mustering in all the seceded States. On Friday, April 12, the surrender of Fort Sumter, with its garrison of sixty effective men, was de- manded and bravely refusea by the gallant Major Anderson. Fire was at once opened on the helpless garrison by the rebel forces, numbered by thousands. Resistance was useless, and at last the National colors were hauled down, and by traitor hands were trailed in the dust. On Sunday morning, the 14th, the news of the surren -. der was received in all the principal cities of the Union. That was all, but that was enough. A day later, when the news was confirmed and spread throngh the country, the patriotic people of the North were startled from their dreams of the future- from undertakings half completed-and made to realize that behind that mob there was a dark, deep, and well organized pur- pose to destroy the government, rend the Union in twain, and out of its ruins erect a slave oligarchy, wherein no one would dare question their rights to hold in bon- dage the sons and daughters of men whose skins were black. Their dreams of the future-their plans for the establishment of an independent confederacy-were doomed from their inception to sad and bitter disappointment. Everywhere north of Mason and Dixon's line, the voice of Providence was heard :

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

"Draw forth your million blades as one; Complete the battle now begun; God fights with ye, and overhead Floats the dear banner of your dead. They, and the glories of the past, The future, dawning dim and vast, And all the holiest hopes of man, Are beaming triumphant in your van."

"Slow to resolve, be swift to do! Teach ye the False, how fights the Trne ! How buckled Perfidy shall feel,

In her black heart the Patriot's steel; How sure the bolt that Justice wings; How week the arm a traitor brings; How mighty they who steadfast stand, For Freedom's flag and Freedom's land."

On Monday, April 15th, President Lin- coln issued the following proclamation:

"WHEREAS, The laws of the United States have for some time past, and are now, opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Mis- sissippi, Lonisiana and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary conrse of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals; now therefore, I, Abra- ham Lincoln, President of the United States, by ·virtue of the power in me vested by the Consti tution and the laws, have thought to call forth, and hereby do call forth, the militia of the several States of the Union, to the number of 75,000, in order to suppress said combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed.

The details for this subject will be imniedi- ately communicated to the State authorities through the War Department. I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and to aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and existence of our National Union, and the per- petuity of popular government, and to redress wrongs already Jong endured. I deem it- proper to say that the first services assigned to the forces hereby called forth will probably be to repossess the forts, places and property which have been seized from the Union; and in every event the utmost care will be observed, con-

sistently with the object aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of, or interference with property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any part of the conntry; and I hereby command the persons composing the combina- tions aforesaid, to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes, within 20 days from this date.

Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by ' he Constitution, convene both Honses of Con- gress. The Senators and Representatives are, therefore summoned to assemble at their respec- tive chambers at 12 o'clock, noon, on Thursday, the fourth day of July next, then and there to consider and determine such measures as in their wisdom the public safety and interest may seem to demand.

In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixcd.

Done at the city of Washington, the fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the independence of the United States the eighty- · fifth.

By the President,

ABRAHAM LINCOLN. W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."

The last word of this proclamation had scarcely been taken from the electric wire before the call was filled. Men and money were counted out by hundreds and thou- sands. The people who loved their whole country could not give enough. Patriot- ism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated. through every heart. The farm, the work- shop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the bench, the college, the school house-every calling offered its best men, their lives and fortunes, in defense of the Government's honor and unity. Party lines were for a time ignored. Bitter words, spoken in

417

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

moments of political heat, were forgotten and forgiven, and, joining hands in a com- mon cause, they repeated the oath of America's soldier statesman: " By the Great Eternal, the Union must and shall be preserved ! "

Seventy-five thousand men were not enough to subdue the Rebellion. Nor were ten times that number. The war went on, and call followed call, until it seemed as if there were not men enough in all the free States to crush out the Re- bellion. But to every call for either men or money there was a willing and ready response. The gauntlet thrown down by the traitors of the South was accepted; not, however, in the spirit which insolence meets insolence, but, with a firm, deter- mined spirit of patriotism and love of country. The duty of the President was plain under the Constitution and laws, and, above and beyond all, the people, from whom all political power is derived, demanded the suppression of the Rebel- lion, and stood ready to sustain the authority of their representative and ex- ecutive officers to the utmost extremity.

Hardin county was behind no county in the State in the exhibition of sublime patriotism. Being without railroad or telegraph facilities, the news did not reach the people of the county in time to be numbered in the first call of the President for 75,000 men, but in the second and every succeeding call, it responded with its noblest and best men, some of whom went forth never to return. The record of the county at home or in the field is a noble one. By referring to the chapter containing the action of the Board of Su- pervisors, it will be seen what was done in

an official way. In an unofficial way the people took hold of the work, aided enlist- ments, and furnished a large amount of sanitary supplies.

In this connection has been compiled from the Adjutant-General's report, the name of every soldier from Hardin county. If any are omitted it is not intentional, for great care has been exercised in the com- pilation, and none have more veneration for the brave soldier than the author of this volume. So far as it could be done mistakes in spelling names have been cor- rected.

Hardin county was first represented in the Sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The following is the record:

SIXTH INFANTRY. COMPANY B. Linn, William S.

COMPANY C. Officers. Captains :

David M. Strump,

Abraham B. Harris.

First Lieutenant : Robert Allison.

Second Lieutenants :

Philander Lockard,

Beverly Learcy.

Hezekiah C. Cock.

Sergeants :

Francis Baldwin, George W. Wood,

Thomas J. Newport, William W. Bunce,

John Lochard, Isaac S. Moore.

Charles J. Payne,

Corporals :

Champ C. Richie, James Buchanan,

Lewis L. Durham, Francis Loughrey,

William H. Oviatt, John M. C. Potts,

Leonard Garre, Henry P. Cutting.

Andrew J. Allen,

Musician : George W. Wood.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Wagoner : Thomas Harper. -

Privates :

Buckingham, Ham,

Moore, William W.

Brown, William J., .

Montgomery, H.,

Bowman, Ancil,

Miller, Ananias,

Case, John,

Marling, John,

Craig, Harrison, Carn, James,

Oviatt, William H., Osborn, Robert H.,

Dourty, John,

Payne, Charles J.,

Devine, Michael,

Potts, John M. C.,

Ellis, Andrew M.,

Garre, Leonard,

Richardsou, James R., Reed, George,

Haskins, Robert,

Surle, Anthony H.,

Holman, Thomas J.,

Sawyer, Ozro,

Hayworth, Howard,

Taylor, William M.,

Hadlock, Walter,

Voils, Charles,

Jones, Thomas,

Vandevort, G. C.,

James, Eugene A.,

Wilson, Jacob B.,

Johnson, James,

Woodruff, Jackson,

Knoles, Joseph J. G.,

Weeks, Charles,

Linn, James L.,

Wright, James,

VETERANS. First Lieutenant : Francis Baldwin.

Sergeant : George W. Wood.

Corporals :

William Oviatt, John McPotts.

Privates :

Brown, William J.,

Case, John,

Montgomery, Humphr'y Osborn, Robert H.,

Hadlock, John,

Surles, Anthony W.,

Hoskins, Robert,

Taylor, William M.

Linn, William S.,

This regiment of Iowa volunteer in- fantry was organized during the month of June and early portion of July, 1861, ren- dezvousing at the city of Burlington, where it was mustered into the Federal service on the 17th and 18th of July, then numbering, rank and file, about nine hun- dred men.

John Adair McDowell, of Lee county, was Colonel. Company C was principally from the counties of Hardin and Franklin.

Not long after the regiment was mus- tered into the service of the United States, it went to Keokuk. Here the regiment remained a considerable length of time, acquiring a knowledge of the duties which would be required of men in the field.

A great proportion of the rank and file of this regiment were remarkable for their fine physical appearance. Being nearly all farmers and mechanics, accustomed to manly labor, they were possessed of a hardy vigor, which enabled them, as their history afterwards proves, to endure the toils and privations of army life with a spirit amounting to cheerfulness. It is certain they presented a fine military ap- pearance on their first public parade at Burlington.

The Sixth formed a part of Fremont's Department in the Missouri. This army concentrated at Tipton, then the terminus . of the Pacific railroad, and near the center of the State, during the latter part of Sep- tember and first of October. Gen. Fre- mont moved with his army to Springfield. The march from Tipton was very rapid .and very severe. The whole army, by moving with a rapidity over bad roads, which were well nigh fearful, and which caused great suffering among the troops, reached Springfield on the last three days of October and the first day of November. Gen. Pope's and Mckinstry's commands, with which latter was the Sixth, came up on the 1st, having marched 70 miles in two days.

After Fremont was relieved of his com- mand, Major-General Hunter took com-

419

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

mand, and in a few days marched back to the railroad .

The Sixth Iowa returned with the army to Sedalia, and was soon placed on guard duty at Lamine Bridge, where it remained some time, and was then ordered to Tipton, on garrison duty. Here six companies remained, garrisoning the place during the winter, the four other companies, under Captain Iseminger, per- forming similar service at Syracuse, a few miles westward. While the regiment was thus stationed, Lieutenant-Colonel Cum- mins had command of the regiment. Ma- jor Corse, meantime, was on the staff of General Pope, as his Inspector-General.

When the campaign of 1862 had been fully inaugurated, by the capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, and not long after the latter thrilling engagement, the Sixth proceeded to St. Louis by rail, thence by steamer to Pittsburg Landing, Tennes- see. At the battle of Shiloh, the regiment held the extreme right of the advance line, and fought with unsurpassed bravery, holding its position with unflinching te- nacity · till all support had been driven back, and then retiring through a murder- ous fire, still fronting the enemy and deal- ing upon him heavy blows as opportunity offered. The loss of the regiment in this battle was very heavy.

The regiment saw the army under Ma- jor-General Halleck drag its slow length along from the field of Shiloh, partici- pating in the siege of Corinth, and was present upon the evacuation of that place by the rebels. The regiment accompanied a considerable detachment of the army, which was afterwards sent on a reconnoi- sance to the interior of Mississippi. On

July 2 they had a skirmish with the rebel cavalry under Forrest, and drove him out of the way. They remained in the vicinity of Holly Springs during the two days fol- lowing, then marched to Memphis with the army, reaching that city on the 24th of July. Here the regiment remained during the rest of the summer and most of the fall, the brigade to which it was attached being assigned to duty as provost guard of the city, which required no little vigilant attention.

The Sixth was with Grant in his cam- paign on the rear of Vicksburg, and went so far as the Yohnapatafa river. By this time Grant's communications were so se- riously endangered that he was compelled to return. The Sixth accompanied the army on its northward march, and went into camp at Grand Junction, Tennessee. While the regiment was at this encamp- ment, Colonel McDowell resigned, and Lieutenant-Colonel Corse was appointed in his place. During the winter of 1862-3, the regiment was mounted, and attached to a division under command of Brigadier- General William S. Smith, and made sev- eral rapid and important raids into the enemy's country, chiefly in the State of Mississippi.

The regiment was stationed at Haines' Bluff until Sherman commenced active operations against Johnston- operations which resulted in an irregular siege of the city of Jackson. On the 16th of July, Colonel Corse, in command of the skir- mishers of the First Division, Sixteenth Corps, for the time being forming a part of the Ninth Corps, made a strong recon- noissance on our left, moving on the enemy's works along the entire front of

420

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

the division for the purpose of ascertain- ing the strength and position of their batteries. This delicate and dangerous duty was performed by Colonel Corse and the regiments under his command, with great gallantry and success; the Sixth Iowa here winning the plaudits of the whole army, and the hearty congratulations of the General commanding division. Speak- ing of the part taken by the regiment in this brilliant affair, Colonel Corse says: "I assumed command of the line formed by the Sixth Iowa Infantry, and at the desig- nated signal, the men dashed forward with a shout, met a line of the enemy's skir- mishers, drove them back, capturing eigh- teen or twenty and killing as many more; clearing the timber they rushed into the open field, across the railroad, over the fence, up a gentle slope, across the crest, down into the enemy's lines, when two field batteries of four guns each, fronting west, opened a terrific cannonade. The enemy were driven from two pieces at the point of the bayonet, our men literally running them down. In the rear of the batteries two regiments were lying, sup- porting the gunners, and at our approach they opened fire along their whole line, causing most of the casualties in this gallant regiment. With such impetuosity did the line go through the field, that the enemy, so completely were they stunned, would have precipitately fled had they not been reassured by a large gun battery nearly six hundred yards to our right, which en- filaded the railroad line of skirmishers. Startled at this unexpected obstacle, whichi was now in full play, throwing its whirl- wind of grape and canister about us till the corn fell as if by an invisible reaper. I

ordered the bugler to sound the 'lie down.' The entire line fell in the corn rows, and I had the opportunity to look around, knowing my men were safe. *

* To pass through the batteries, cross the regi- ments in our front, ascend the hill and get inside their main works, was more than I could accomplish with the slender, yet gallant line lying on my left and right; and feeling that I had obtained all the in- formation I could, I ordered the 'rise up' and retreat, which was done in the most admirable manner, under the fire of at least three regiments and seven guns; three of these enfilading my line. But few of those who had so gallantly charged the battery, got back. I cannot speak in two extravagant terms of the officers and men of the Sixth Iowa on this occasion. They obeyed my commands with a prompt- ness and rapidity I could hardly expect on a parade. If they challenged my praise at the impetuosity of their advance, which I found so rapid as to cause me to fear that I could not keep up with them, they awakened my admiration at the coolness with which they retired, returning the in- cessant fire of the enemy as they slowly fell back." 1

The loss of the regiment was one killed, eighteen wounded and nine missing.

Brigadier-General Smith commanding the division, complimented the officers and men of the sixth in the most hearty way for their gallant conduct. On the night of the 16th, the rebels evacuated Jackson, and the Union troops entered the city on the morning of the 17th. Sherman did not attempt a general pursuit of the rebels, but devastated central Mississippi, then returned to the vicinity of Vicksburg.

421

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

When General Sherman made his mem- orable march across the country to Chat- tanoogo in the fall of 1863, the Sixth formed a part of the column. It partici- pated in the battle of Missionary Ridge in the latter part of November, suffering a loss of sixty-nine officers and men killed, wounded and missing.

The Sixth was under Sherman during his forced march of eighty-four miles, made over almost impassable roads, within five days. Many of the men were barefooted and with only two days rations, but they bore it with unflinching devotion to duty. They returned to Chattanooga on the 18th of December. Early in 1864, the Sixth went into camp at Scottsboro, where they remained during the rest of the winter. Here most of the men re-enlisted, and the regiment became the Sixth Veteran Volun- teers, and was allowed a furlough of thirty days, and reached -- on the 25th of March. On the 27th of April they left Davenport, and arrived at Chattanooga on the 5th of May, and immediately marched to join the main army-the campaign against Atlanta. It participated in all the battles of this remarkable period. It was in the series of conflicts, on the 13th, 14th and 15th of May, which we call the battle of Resaca; in the fight at Dallas, May 28th; at New Hope Church from Ist to 4th of June; Big Shanty on the 15th; ascended Kenesaw Mountain on the 27th; was in all the battles around Atlanta, on the 21st, 22d and 28th of July; Jonesboro, Aug. 31, and Lovejoy, September 1st and 2d. Major Ennis, commanding the Regiment, was mortally wounded at the battle before Atlanta. The casualties of the regiment in the battles from Resaca to Lovejoy, was

one hundred and fifty-nine killed and wounded. When the regiment was near Atlanta, after the evacuation of the city, it numbered only one hundred and twenty, fit for duty.

The regiment, or what was left of it, accompanied Sherman to his march to the sea. At the battle of Griswoldsville, on November 22d, the regiment was warmly engaged, and lost four killed and twenty wounded. In due time Savannah was reached. It was evacuated on the night of the 20th, and Robert Barr of the Sixth was the first to discover it, and the first man to enter it on the morning of the 21st. They remained here about three weeks. About the middle of January, the march through the Carolinas began; helped to win the last battle fought by Sherman at Bentonsville, N. C., and soon after went into camp at Goldsboro. Here it remained until the movement on Raleigh in which it took part. It returned to Iowa to be disbanded the latter part of July, and was everywhere along the route welcomed with the most hearty applause. When the regiment reached St. Louis in 1861, it numbered nine hundred men; and when it reached the capitol of North Carolina, there were only two hundred and eighty- four names left on the roll. All honor to the noble Sixth.

TENTH INFANTRY. COMPANY D. Corpora! : Silas F. Briggs.

ELEVENTH INFANTRY. COMPANY B. Officers. Sergeants :

Lewis W. Garrison, John Cook.

422

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Corporals :

Benjamin V. Kersey, William F. Hough, James Fitzgerald, Daniel T. Wilson.

Privates :

Edwards, George W., Lawrence, Jacob,

Albertson, Jordan P., Nickelson, Peter,

Beach, John M., Ramsey, John,

Hughes, Meridreth, Wilcox, Oscar W. F.

Johnson, Samuel,

ADDITIONAL ENLISTMENTS.

Albertson, Jesse, McConnell, Thomas,

Bond, Reuben, Morgan, Joseph K.,

Dobbins, Joshua, Myers, David,

Deen, Robert,

Rath, John,

Elgin, Jesse, Rowen, Jasper,

Hickman, Ira W., Rubottom, Jesse,

Hickman, Eli M., Thornton, Joseph, :

Kersey, Thomas C., Thornton, Eli J.,

Maddox, John D., Wilson, Alexander.

VETERANS. Sergeant : John A. Deen.

Corporal : George W. Edwards.

Privates : Fitzgerald, James, Nickelson, Peter,

Garrison, Lewis W., Rutan, John,

Hockett, Joseph L., Wilcox, Oscar W. F.

Jones, Theodore,

TWELFTH INFANTRY.

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. Major-Samuel R. Edgington. A. Surgeon-Myron Underwood. Com. Sergt .- John H. Edgington.

COMPANY A. Officers. Captains : Samuel R. Edgington, Allen E. Webb.

First Lieutenant : Thomas B. Edgington.

Second Lieutenants : George W. Moir, Joseph R. C. Hunter.

Sergeants :

Francis Fountain, George W. Reed, John D. Conger, George W. Rulow.

Corporals :

Benjamin F. Ibach, Jacob Ripley,

Cyrus M. Runkle, Ezekiel S. Sawin,

John H. Edgington, Daniel V. Elsworth,

Havelack B. Moon, Joseph R. C. Hunter.

Musicians :

David S. Martin,

William Beal.

Wagoner : William Stout.

Privates :

Armstrong, Bennett A., King, Reuben G.,

Bowers, Inınan H., Kidwiler, Michael,

Brochard, Jonathan, Kellogg, Ryerson,

Buckner, Edward C., Kemp, Summer,

Bird, George M., Lefevre, Simon,

Bell, Thomas R.,

Brothers, Ananias,

Lefler, Simon, Macy, Seth,

Brown, Sidnor B.,

Mckinsey, Neal,

Brown, John W.,

Buffin, George H.,

Black, Gustavus H., Bucklew, Charles F., Clarkson, Richard P., Cromwell, Francis C., Coombs, Eugene C., Cobb, George H., Cramer, Hamilton, Canterwine, Geo. D., Collins, Nelson,

Caraway, Joseph B., Christ, Job, Dobbins, Hiram,

Darman, Thomas, Dobbins, Levi, Fai: banks, Whitcom, Hayhurst, Benj. F., Hoskins, George H., Hughes, James M., Hall, Israel,

McPherson, Wm. G., Moran, John, Moore, George W.,

Miller, Zabina N.,

Mann, William, Mitchell, Geo. W., Parrish, - Quivey, Rosewell F., Ripley, Lewis, Race, Joseph, Reed, Franklin B.,

Richard, William H., Sivers, James L., Sawin, David H., Saint, Richard, Stotser, William, Sellers, Enos B., Smith, Simeon, Tyler, Alfred B., Treat, Charles D., Whitson, John,

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

423

Hoover, Samuel W., Wilson, Thomas H.,

Haywood, William P., Walker, Samuel,

Hobbs, James C. H.,

Woodward, Jesse N.,

Hall, Samuel,

Welsh, Nathan,

Johnson, David P.,

Wickam, Asahel J ,

Johnson, Barton H.,

White, Franklin,

Jackson, Samuel,

Zeiger, James W.

ADDITIONAL ENLISTMENTS TO COMPANY A.

Bachelor, W. M.,

Moore, William,

Bachelor, A. M.,

McRichards, Joseph,

Martin, Marvin A., Zeiger, Nathaniel W.

VETERANS OF COMPANY A.

Officers.

Captain :

Joseph R. C. Hunter.

First Lieutenant : Benjamin F. Iback.

Second Lieutenant : Daniel V. Ellsworth.

Sergeants :

John D. Conger,

Cyrus M. Runkle,

Eugene C. Coombs, Seth Macy.

Corporals :

Samuel J. Walker,

Ryerson E. Kellogg.

George H. Cobb.

Privates :

Black, Gustavus H.,

McPherson, Wm. G.,

Brothers, Ananias,

Moore, George W.

Dobbins, Levi, Moore, William,

Hoskins, George H.,

Parish, Wm, G.,

Kidwiler, Michael,

Reed, Franklin B.,

Mann, William, Sellers, Enos B.,

Martin, Marvin A.,

Zeiger, James W.

TWELFTH INFANTRY.

Very soon after the disaster to the Union arms at Bull Run, in Virginia, the Presi- dent issued a proclamation calling for additional volunteers, under which several regiments were recruited in Iowa, and among them was the Twelfth Infantry. The companies which formed the regiment

were enrolled in the counties of Hardin, Allamakee, Fayette, Linn, Black Hawk, Delaware, Winneshiek, Dubuque and Jackson, and went into rendezvous at Dubuque, where they were mustered into the service during the months of October and November. The organization was completed near the close of the latter month, the last company being sworn in on the 25th, at which time the regiment numbered, rank and file, nine hundred and twenty-six men. J. J. Woods, of Jackson county, was commissioned Colonel; John P. Coulter, of Linn, Lieutenant-Colonel; and Samuel B. Brodtbeck, of Dubuque, Major.

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History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 52

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1002

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002