USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 36
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Whereas, Believing that the true issue between the North and the South is that of the equilibrium of representation, and that the extension or non-extension of slavery is only secondary to that of power, therefore,
Resolved, I. That we deprecate the present efforts of some of our political partisans to raise up party strife on a sectional basis.
2. That in our opinion the Chicago platform embodies no principle or idea contrary to the Constitution of the United States, and in that belief we will stand by it as the exponent of the principles of the republican party.
3. That we look with approbation and pride on the firmness with which our representatives in Congress resist the aggressive demands of the South.
4. That secession is rebellion, and rebellion treason; and that it is the duty of the general Government to enforce the laws.
5. That if the republican party consent to pass any of the compromises offered by the South, it will merit the contempt of the civilized world.
6. That we are prepared, at whatever sacrifice it may require, to defend the Constitution of the United States as it is.
7. That any interference with the free navigation of the Mississippi River will not be tolerated by the Northwestern states.
8. That we consider the leaders of the Disunion movement as traitors, and that it would be dishonorable and cowardly to accept any compromise they offer.
A little later was published over the signature of Samuel Jacobs a defense of the "Union Meeting" which favored compromise. A few sentences will throw in relief his own mental attitude at least :
Personal and political considerations should be cast aside in the present ex- traordinary and appalling crisis. I hope democrats and republicans will cordially unite in a common effort to save the country from ruin. *
* There is yet time to compromise, thanks to the heroic states of Virginia, Kentucky and Ten- nessee, who have run up the flag of truce, and temporarily, at least, stopped the progress of dissolution, in the hope that an amicable adjustment can be made, satisfactory to all sections. Let us give the Union men of the South such a compromise as will enable them to defeat secession and anarchy in their respective states.
The issue to be faced was becoming clear. Secession was in the air. "Se- cession is treason. Those who talk about the rights of secession talk about the rights of traitors. The word secession is not so palpable and odious as that of traitor. It sounds better and does not smack of treason to the Government. No state has a right under our Constitution and laws to secede. It is treason- nothing less." Such was the character of the reasoning which appealed to the common mind. Under its leavening force, political uncertainty was ripening to pass away, and patriotism was budding to break into perfect flower.
When the news of the peaceful inauguration of Lincoln was received, there was a universal feeling of relief. It was a happy omen. In Fairfield there was a demonstration at night. Anvils were fired. The wide awakes turned out and paraded the streets to the strains of martial music. Congratulatory speeches were made at the courthouse by Alvin Turner, C. W. Slagle, J. F. Wilson, J. G. Kirk-
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patrick and A. M. Scott. In this hour of jubilation the curtain which concealed the future still hid the impending dangers.
The wise appealing words of the President's inaugural address allayed much prejudice. They were another element in unifying the North against the de- struction plans of the maddened and determined South.
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CHAPTER XL
THE SOLDIERS
On April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter was fired on. It was a definitive act of se- cession and broke the illusive spell of compromise. The awakening was in- stantaneous.
On April 14th, President Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for "the militia of the several states of the Union to the aggregate number of 75,000" to execute the laws. On April 16th, a direct call was made on the State of Iowa "for one regiment of militia for immediate service."
On April 17th, Governor Kirkwood by proclamation called "upon the militia of this state immediately to form in different counties volunteer companies with a view of entering the active military service of the United States," for the pur- pose of aiding the Federal Government "in enforcing its laws and suppressing rebellion." The regiment required was to "consist of ten companies of at least seventy-eight men each, including one captain and two lieutenants to be elected by each company." At the same time he wrote the several counties, "I am anxious that the response of Iowa shall be prompt and emphatic."
The loyal people of Jefferson County were watchful and alert. Moved by the President's demand for troops, on the evening of April 17th, to the stirring notes of martial music, they assembled at the courthouse and organized a meeting with D. P. Stubbs as president, Dr. S. W. Taylor and Ward Lamson as vice presidents, and W. W. Junkin as secretary. Patriotic speeches by C. W. Slagle, J. G. Kirkpatrick, Robert C. Brown and George Strong intensified their ardor.
The enrollment of those willing to serve as soldiers was begun. The roll was placed in charge of George Strong, C. W. Slagle and R. F. Ratcliff. It stated : "We, the undersigned, able-bodied men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five hereby tender our services to Governor Kirkwood, and obligate ourselves to be in readiness to march in defense of our country as occasion may require, subject only to such regulation as may hereafter be enacted by the Government for the regula- tion of volunteers." The first to put his name to it was George Strong. That night, or within the next few days, it was also signed in order by Moses A. Mc- Coid, David B. Wilson, Henry A. Millen, Robert Lock, George Balding, W. T. Kil- lough, J. G. Kirkpatrick, Bill Hampson, George H. Case, William Scott, Daniel W. Brown, G. H. Myers, A. K. Updegraph, C. A. Miller, W. F. Smith, J. M. Hughes, R. M. Rhamey, Daniel Smith, David P. Long, George W. Hill, John Swanson, Isaac Olds, George W. Fetter, John T. Mccullough, D. B. Johnson, John Locke, Manford Hall, Thomas Hoffman, John R. McEldery, Charles J. Reed, N. Howard Ward, David Jones, William H. Cusick, Jacob Fox, J. A. Whitley, W. C. Hender- son, Owen Bromley, Samuel B. Woods, William Hill, Brainerd Kerr, James F.
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Crawford, John J. Payton, R. P. Moore, Jacob Young, Harry Patrick, W. S. Moore, William Leith, H. G. Ross, Matt Hilbert, W. T. Hendricks, McDonald Parshall, Sol. D. B. Welch, William H. Baker, J. W. Workman (Drum), James Ross, David Pierson, Samuel Turner, George Heaton, William W. Maxwell, John T. Russell, A. R. Wilson James M. Dudley, Reuben Coop, John J. McKee, Wes- ley Summers, Silas Pearson, Samuel H. Simms, J. W. Robinson, Elijah Newby, Benjamin Mikesell, Ostin Sebrin, D. W. Garber, Lester Daley, R. G. Forgrave, Wiley S. Simms, John C. Duncan, Daniel Moore, Stephen D. Gorsuch, Jackson Hefner, Henry T. Harris, William Pattison, U. M. Davis, J. W. Messick, W. Bauder, Frederick F. Metzler, J. L. Thompson, M. Page, A. P. Heaton, William F. Lowery, Mark F. Carter, Timothy W. Austin, Robert Stam, G. W. Hammond, J. S. Longary, L. D. Boone, W. H. Pierson, Marion York, J. H. Forgrave, James Young, R. B. Partridge and La Torry Webster. These were the forerunners of hundreds to follow.
The duty of patriotism was expressed simply. There was no recognition of indifference, no recognition of a halfway point on which any one could find foot- ing. Devotion to country and institutions faced only in one direction. "Resolved, That all true men will stand by the Government in its hour of need, and every man who will not is unworthy of its protection."
A private's pay was $11 per month. Its meagerness was fully realized. With thoughtful concern, Robert C. Brown, Dr. S. W. Taylor, D. Young, R. Gaines and J. H. Allinder were appointed to procure the signatures of persons willing to assist the families of those who should enter the military service of the United States.
The meeting ended with "three rousing cheers for 'the Union, the Constitu- tion and the enforcement of the laws.'"
On April 22d, these volunteers elected Frederick F. Metzler captain, George Strong first lieutenant and Stephen D. Gorsuch second lieutenant. They failed quick as their action was, to secure acceptance as part of the First Iowa Infantry. They were included, however, among the companies that Governor Kirkwood ordered into quarters in the respective counties where raised to be disciplined, drilled and ready to form a second regiment, should there be another requisition
On May 6th, they enlisted and began training in earnest for the serious work before them. This schooling lasted little more than two weeks. On May 23d they were marshalled in the park and after listening to an address by Rev. Andrew Axline, who was subsequently appointed the first chaplain of this regiment, were all given Testaments, which were distributed by R. S. Hughes and W. H. Jordan for the Jefferson County Bible Society. In each man's copy was inscribed his name. The next morning, in the park, with the Fairfield Guards and the Home Guards also in line, they were presented with a silk flag, a gift from the women of Fairfield. Miss Helen E. Pelletreau spoke briefly for the donors.
"Citizen soldiers, you have enlisted at the call of your country to defend our rights. We honor you for so doing, and rejoice in being able to manifest our approval of your hearty response to that call by presenting you this flag. These are the same stars and stripes under which our fathers fought and bled-'The Star Spangled Banner'-which has been to all nations an emblem of our devotion to liberty and freedom. Take the gift, guard it well. Bear it to the very front of battle, and fight valiently under its folds until victory is yours. Then, and not
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till then, we charge you to return it to us unstained by dishonor, and you shall be welcomed home with hearts full of gratitude.
"This is a proud day for us and for you. For us, that we can freely give up our husbands, brothers and sons for the sake of our country; for you, that you can sever the ties that bind you to home and friends and go forth 'armed with the panoply of war' to fight for our liberties.
"May the same spirit which actuated our forefathers inspire you with zeal and undaunted courage in the great and glorious cause which you have espoused. Be assured our prayers will follow you through all the privations, toils and dangers you may encounter, and we believe that that God who protected and sustained Washington in the hour of his greatest need, will be with you and nerve your arms to strike a death blow to the foes of the 'Flag of our Union.'"
The address was received without applause. The feeling of the moment filled many eyes with tears, but was too solemn for demonstrative expression. The colors were accepted for the company by Lieutenant Strong. Then followed short talks by W. H. H. Hampson, Henry A. Millen, Owen Bromley and Captain Metz- ler. At the conclusion of these exercises, ranks were broken to permit of personal leavetakings.
After a little while they marched to the depot and amid cheers took their de- parture. They went by train to Ottumwa and thence to Keokuk, where they arrived that evening. Four days later, May 28th, they were mustered in as Com- pany E of the Second Iowa Infantry.
To provide them with uniforms, the state furnished the materials; James Edmiston, tailor, took their measures and cut the cloth; and their loyal woman- kind did the sewing. For lack of stripes and buttons, some of the suits could not be finished at once. It was July 4th when those so delayed were delivered at Camp Lyon, near St. Joseph, Missouri, and displaced the motley garb worn from. home. Unfortunately, these clothes made by loving hands were "cadet gray" and not long after had to be discarded for others of "regulation blue" supplied by the Government.
The Second Regiment was the first to take the field. On June 13th, obedient to an order from Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, it was embarked at Keokuk on the steamer Jeanie Deans and carried to Hannibal, Missouri, to aid in taking possession of the Hannibal and St. Joseph and North Missouri railroads. Thus it entered upon its years of arduous and hazardous service.
It was yet to be learned that war is ravenous.
On July 11th and 19th, a considerable number of men from the vicinities of Germanville, Pleasant Plain and Abingdon, enlisted at Richland, Keokuk County. On the 24th, at Burlington, they were mustered in as part of Company K of the Seventh Iowa Infantry. On August 6th, this regiment was ordered to St. Louis, where it at once proceeded and received its arms.
At Burlington, on August 17th, Lester Daily, William Hall, William A. Mc- Cune, William Pattison, Charles F. Roscoe, Alonzo R. Wilson and Alexander Wykoff, and on September Ist, John Bartholomew and Commodore P. Spicer, joined and were mustered in as members of the First Battery Iowa Light Artil- lery. The company remained at Burlington until December, when it was trans- ferred to Benton Barracks, near St. Louis, and equipped with six guns and cais- sons and accessories.
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It was probably as early as June that there was raised at Fairfield a troop of mounted men, who hoped to secure admission into the First Iowa Calvary. In this effort they met with disappointment. That they were not included in the Second Iowa Cavalry may have been due to their location. On August 26th their tender having been accepted, they were ordered into quarters by Governor Kirk- wood. Their readiness to make response is shown in the fact that they were hauled in wagons to Keokuk, taking two days for the journey, and were mustered in on the 30th as Company F of the Third Iowa Cavalry. Their officers were Andrew M. Robinson, captain; Benjamin F. Crail, first lieutenant, and Cravin L. Hart- man, second lieutenant.
A number of men were attracted to a troop formed at Birmingham, Van Buren County. This was mustered in on September 10th at Keokuk as Company H of the Third Iowa Cavalry.
The regiment was removed on November 6th to Benton Barracks, where for arms it received sabers and revolvers only.
At a public meeting held in Fairfield on September 17th, George Acheson, Fred S. Whiting, James Strong, A. R. Pierce and C. W. Slagle were instructed to prepare a muster roll and superintend the organization of a new company of in- fantry. The roll was kept at the office of Slagle and Acheson. This purpose appears to have been abandoned in October in order to hasten the enrollment of a company for a cavalry regiment which Col. Asbury B. Porter of Mount Pleasant was raising. This body was quickly made up. On November 2d, its members met at the courthouse and elected Abial R. Pierce, captain; Fred S. Whiting, first lieutenant, and Aaron J. Newby, second lieutenant. The rendezvous was Camp Harlan, Mount Pleasant. There, on the 25th, they were mustered in as Company M of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry.
The regiment passed the winter at Camp Harlan. . Toward the close of Feb- ruary, 1862, it was ordered to St. Louis, from which point it proceeded in a few days to Rolla, Missouri.
Through the cold months there was a lull in enlistments. Toward the last of January, 1862, recruits were sought for the Fifteenth and Sixteenth regiments, but there were few responses to the appeals. In February, there was a change form apathy to activity, the result of the victory at Donelson and the glorious part of the Second Iowa Infantry. In March, twenty-one men from about Ger- manville, Pleasant Plain and Abingdon enlisted, and on the 26th were mus- tered in at Keokuk as part of Company D of the Seventeenth Iowa Infantry. About this time H. N. Moore enrolled a company at Fairfield, which, with himself as captain, was mustered in at Keokuk on April 11th as Company I of the Seven- teenth Iowa Infantry.
Shortly after this the regiment was conveyed to St. Louis. For some unknown cause the adjutant-general of the United States advised its disbandment, an action which was prevented by the energetic zeal of Governor Kirkwood and Adjutant- General Baker. It was then given its arms and equipage and hurried to the front.
There was a growing realization of the magnitude of the struggle. On July 9th five additional regiments were required of Iowa. Governor Kirkwood assigned the raising of these to the several congressional districts. A few sentences in his proclamation present a vivid picture of those trying days: "The preservation of the Union, the perpetuity of our Government, the honor of our state, demand that
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this requisition should 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 harvests 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."
Patriotic fervor rose high. Some who could not give direct bodily service rendered aid to those who did. T. L. Pollard offered of his scanty store "$25 for the first twenty-five soldiers enlisted in July," payable when mustered in. Two other citizens authorized Slagle and Acheson to draw on them at sight for $40 each to encourage recruiting. One of them wrote, "I am not able-bodied, neither am I wealthy, but I wish to sustain the flag which protects us." These instances typify the general anxiety and desire.
Richard Gaines, John M. Woods, Harry Jordan, Joshua Wright, P. N. Woods, M. M. Bleakmore and George W. Phelps were commissioned recruiting officers.
On August 9th, a great mass meeting was held at Fairfield to encourage volun- teering. There were speeches by James F. Wilson, Lieut. Jesse F. Warner of the Seventh Iowa Infantry, George Acheson, Rev. James H. Rhea, C. W. Slagle, Rev. S. C. McCune and Rev. John B. Drayer. Determination and enthusiasm were dominant.
This public counsel was immediately effective. In the evening a company was organized at the courthouse. Harry Jordan was elected captain, John M. Woods first lieutenant, and Arthur S. Jordan second lieutenant. At the same time another company was organized at Abingdon with Joshua Wright as captain, Harrison Smith as first lieutenant and William S. Brooks as second lieutenant. The former, with the Godspeeds of hundreds gathered to see it off, left on the 14th for Camp Lincoln, Keokuk, going by train to Burlington, thence down the Mississippi by boat. It was mustered in on the 18th as Company B of the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry. The latter was mustered in on the 20th as Company D of the same regiment.
This regiment was fully equipped before leaving the state. It was moved in September to St. Louis, thence to Rolla, and then marched to Springfield, Mis- souri, from which point it soon engaged in an active campaign.
Under the stimuli of the times, two other companies were formed. One, en- rolled at Glasgow on the 13th, chose Robert D. Creamer captain, Edward B. Hea- ton first lieutenant, and Simpson J. Chester second lieutenant. One, enrolled at Fairfield, though largely recruited in the neighborhoods of Brookville, Batavia and Libertyville, on the 16th, chose John B. Drayer captain, Matthew Clark first lieutenant, and Jacob C. Fry second lieutenant. The first, on the 19th, after a public dinner in a grove near Glasgow, went into quarters at Fairfield, where on the 27th it was joined by the second. On September Ist, they went by way of Burlington to Keokuk, where on the 23d they were mustered in, the former as Company G, the latter as Company H, of the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry.
A number of men from near Pleasant Plain and Germanville enlisted at Brighton under Capt. W. T. Burgess. They also were mustered in on the 23d at Keokuk as part of Company E of the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry.
In anticipation of a draft an examination beginning on September Ist was made of the militia. D. P. Stubbs was commissioner, Dr. P. N. Woods the ex-
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amining surgeon. It was found there were 2,858 men listed, of whom 534 were in Fairfield Township, 233 in Des Moines, 285 in Penn, 210 in Polk, 150 in Cedar, 132 in Blackhawk, 227 in Locust Grove, 221 in Buchanan, 196 in Liberty, 218 in Walnut, 177 in Round Prairie and 275 in Lockridge. Out of 1,100 who appeared, 480 showed cause for exemption. There were already 976 volunteers, of whom 217 were from Fairfield Township, 72 from Des Moines, 72 from Penn, 86 from Polk, 43 from Cedar, 36 from Blackhawk, 79 from Locust Grove, 75 from Buch- anan, 83 from Liberty, 73 from Walnut, 61 from Round Prairie and 79 from Lockridge. Of the volunteers thirty-six being less than eighteen years of age or more than forty-five years of age were not included in the enrollment. After striking from the rolls both those in the service and those entitled to exemption, there remained 1,478 men subject to military duty, of whom 265 were in Fairfield Township, 106 in Des Moines, 161 in Penn, 101 in Polk, 78 in Cedar, 66 in Black- hawk, 117 in Locust Grove, 124 in Buchanan, 87 in Liberty, 119 in Walnut, 76 in Round Prairie and 138 in Lockridge. Liberty Township stood first in honor, lacking but two of having contributed one-half of its able-bodied men to the Union army.
Early in September, William Shadford and John V. Myers sought recruits for "the Governor's Gray Beards," as the Thirty-seventh Iowa Infantry was popu- larly called. The name was bestowed because the plan was to make up the regi- ment of men whose years otherwise would prevent their enlistment. They them- selves enlisted, as did William Breardy, Charles W. Coleman, Jacob A. Creek, Christian Curfman, Edward Dougherty, Adam Goode, John Jones, Daniel Price and Spencer Totten. Edward Dougherty was sixty-four years old. Five of the others exceeded fifty years of age. John V. Myers was made second lieutenant of Company H. The regiment was assembled at "Camp Strong," Muscatine, where on December 15th it was mustered in. The last of the month it was or- dered to St. Louis. On January 5, 1863, it was quartered in Schofield Barracks and assigned to provost duty and to guarding the military prisons.
Late in September, M. M. Bleakmore was authorized to recruit a company for the Forty-third Iowa Infantry. The rendezvous of the regiment was "Camp Curtis," Ottumwa. As there had now developed a radical change of policy and volunteers were encouraged to enter the depleted ranks of troops already in active service, he secured few enlistments. This was a general condition. Before the close of the year, the filling of the regiment was in doubt. The final result was the abandonment of the organization. Its recruits were then transferred and on various dates between April 27 and July 13, 1863, were mustered in at Davenport as members of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry. This regiment was soon marched to Omaha and distributed among the frontier posts in the Territory of Nebraska.
The capture of Vicksburg and the defeat and retreat of Lee from Gettysburg on July 4, 1863, were strong incentives to volunteer. A company at Eddyville, Wapello County, and a company in Van Buren County included a considerable number of men from Jefferson County. Rezin S. Hilton was elected first lieu- tenant of the former and James W. Moore first lieutenant of the latter. It was the good fortune of these organizations to be selected for the Eighth Iowa Cavalry. They were ordered in August to "Camp Roberts," Davenport, where on September 30th, they were mustered in respectively as Companies B and C.
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In October the regiment was taken to Louisville, Kentucky, thence marching to Nashville, Tennessee, where it completed its equipment.
On September 24th, Joseph Ennis advertised "a first rate chance" to avoid a prospective draft by entering the Ninth Iowa Cavalry. Soldiers of nine months previous service were offered a bounty and premiums amounting to $402; new recruits were offered a bounty of $100. Twenty-six men enlisted. James Kerr was made second lieutenant of Company I. The regiment was mustered in at Davenport on September 30th, and a few days after was moved to St. Louis.
In the spring of 1864, it was felt that the end of the war was in sight and that a vigorous campaign would bring it to a speedy and positive termination. On April 21st the governors of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin held a conference at Washington and proposed to President Lincoln to furnish within twenty days 85,000 volunteers for 100 days' service. The proposal was accepted. These troops were to serve in fortifications and elsewhere to release disciplined and seasoned soldiers for active employment in the field.
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