USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 37
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Under this agreement, Gov. William M. Stone on April 25th issued a call for ten regiments. On May 9th, a company was organized at Fairfield with William K. Alexander as captain, David R. McCracken as first lieutenant and Lemon J. Allen as second lieutenant. There was some time lost in its completion because many who enrolled were under age and could not be sworn in until the consent of their parents was obtained. On May 17th, it left for Keokuk, where on the 25th it was mustered in as Company I of the Forty-fifth Iowa Infantry. The regiment was conveyed with little delay to Memphis, Tennessee, where it aided in guarding the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad.
In the four years of need there were others who volunteered where there were special personal inducements to be taken advantage of or where chance provided the opportunity. Conspicuous among these for distinguished services were Dr. Richard Mohr, surgeon of the Tenth Iowa Infantry, and Dr. P. N. Wood, surgeon of the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry.
In all, out of a population of a little over fifteen thousand in 1860, more than sixteen hundred men of Jefferson County offered themselves as a willing sacri- fice for their country. They were above one-tenth of all its people .. To appre- ciate the force of this simple statement, count in any neighborhood, old and young, men, women and children, and for every ten persons take out a strong and vig- orous man, neither under eighteen nor over forty-five. Those so taken and those so left will serve for standards to measure the patriotic devotion, not alone of those who took up arms, but of those also who sent them forth. Note the loss to the community and to its families, and there will grow a deeper realization of their heroism and self-denial.
The story of their military life, their campaigns and battles, belongs to the larger story of the war. It must be briefly epitomized.
The Second Iowa Infantry on February 15, 1862, proved its mettle in the attack on Fort Donelson, and for its bravery was placed at the head of the column which took possession of the Confederate works after the surrender. On April 6 and 7, 1862, it fought on the bloody field of Shiloh. On October 3 and 4, 1862, at Corinth, it added new glory to its laurels. In the official report of James B. Weaver, major commanding, Capt. John T. Mccullough and Lieuts. D. B. Wilson and M. A. McCord were specifically named and commended. During 1863
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it remained in Tennessee, and in December was mustered in at Pulaski as the Second Iowa Veteran Infantry. In May, 1864, Company E elected new officers, namely, George Heaton, captain; Cyrus Bartow, first lieutenant, and George F. Balding, second lieutenant. Atlanta was now the objective point of Sherman's army. As part of his forces, this regiment actively participated in the movement and in the march through Georgia to the sea. Its last engagement occurred on February 26, 1865, at Lynches Creek, South Carolina. On May 24th, it arrived at Washington, where it took part in the Grand Review. On July 12th it was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, and on the 20th was disbanded at Davenport.
The Seventh Iowa Infantry began its list of battles on November 7, 1861, at Belmont, Missouri, and for its conduct there received the commendation of General Grant. In 1862 it fought at Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth. In 1863, in com- parative inactivity, it helped to watch over and hold the Union lines in Tennessee. In 1864 it served under Sherman and engaged in many actions, the culmination of which was the fall of Atlanta. It also marched with him to the sea, and on December 21st entered Savannah. Leaving that city on January 28, 1865, on March 24th, having covered a distance of 480 miles in the frequent and chill rains of winter, through dismal swamps often waist deep in water, building by measure- ment thirty-nine miles of corduroy road, it arrived at Goldsboro, North Carolina. It was a memorable achievement. After taking part in the Grand Review at Washington, it was mustered out on July 12th at Louisville. It was disbanded at Davenport.
The First Battery Iowa Light Artillery on March 7 and 8, 1862, won en- viable praise at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, which was its first engagement. William Hall was killed in this action. After the battle of Arkansas Post, in January, 1863, Major-General McClernand, to show his appreciation of its service, pre- sented the battery with two fine Parrott guns taken from the enemy. Moved next to Sherman's Landing, opposite Vicksburg, it suffered there from a severe outbreak of smallpox. Beginning on May 18th, it fired more than thirteen hundred rounds from each of its guns in the siege of Vicksburg. It fought on November 25th on Lookout Mountain in the immediate presence of General Hooker, and on the 26th at Missionary Ridge. While at Chattanooga it was newly equipped with ten-pounder Parrott guns. It was active in 1864 in the operations against Atlanta. Its last fight took place in December of that year at Nashville, Tennessee, where it remained to perform garrison duty. It was mustered out on July 5, 1865, at Davenport.
The Third Cavalry was divided for nearly two years. The Second Battalion, in which were companies F and H, during that period operated as a separate unit. Its first actual fighting occurred in May, 1862, in Monroe County, Missouri. At Kirksville on August 6th it sustained one-third of the total Union loss. In the subsequent months it scouted and skirmished with guerrillas. In the summer of 1863, it aided in the capture of Little Rock, Arkansas. In October, the regiment was reunited at Benton. In the fall of 1864, it was employed in Missouri in the campaign against General Price. Its last expedition was made as part of the forces under Gen. James H. Wilson. On March 21, 1865, it left Chickasaw Land- ing on the Tennessee River, scouting, foraging, fighting and destroying in its rapid course for 600 miles factories, mills, arsenals, armories, arms, munitions, supplies, railroads and bridges and ending on April 20th at Macon, Georgia. It
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was then moved to Atlanta, where on August 9th it was mustered out. It was disbanded at Davenport.
The Fourth Iowa Cavalry was stationed for some months in 1862 near Helena, Arkansas. During the investment of Vicksburg, through May and June, 1863, it was in constant movement between the besieging forces and the enemy in their rear. Out of fifty-six days, its effective men were in the saddle fifty-two. In February, 1864, it took part in Sherman's Meridian expedition. In June it was in the disastrous defeat of General Sturgis. It was part of the rear guard and rode for fifty-four consecutive hours without food for man or beast. It was prominent in the repulse and rout of General Price. At Mine Creek, on Otcober 25th, the prompt decision of Maj. A. R. Pierce on his own responsibility to order a charge brought a decisive victory. By a general order it was authorized to place upon its colors "Big Blue" and "Osage." In three months it traveled a little less than two thousand miles. It returned then to St. Louis. It was next moved to Memphis and to Louisville, from which point it accompanied Gen. James H. Wilson on his famous raid to Macon, Georgia. On August 10th, it was mustered out at Atlanta, and on the 24th disbanded at Davenport.
The Seventeenth Iowa Infantry on September 19, 1862, was placed in an un- fortunate position at Iuka, retreated in confusion and was reprimanded some- what unjustly by General Rosecrans. At Corinth it redeemed its good name, captured the flag of the Fortieth Mississippi Infantry and was commended by the same officer. On May 14, 1863, it helped to capture Jackson and on the 16th at Champion's Hill it received the personal praise of General Grant. At Vicksburg, when Fort Hill was mined and blown up, for three hours it held the breach with muskets alone. Again on November 24th, it displayed its valor on Missionary Ridge. For some time it guarded supply trains and later was stationed at Tilton, Georgia, to watch over the railroad between Dalton and Resaca. Here, in October, 1863, it was surrounded and except for a small detachment was captured and confined in Southern prisons. On July 25, 1865, it was mustered out at Louis- ville and disbanded at Davenport.
The Nineteenth Iowa Infantry with scarcely any preliminary training, on December 7, 1862, went into action on the bloody field of Prairie Grove. Its colors were saved only by the cool and determined bravery of Lieut. W. S. Brooks. On June 10, 1863, it joined the forces investing Vicksburg. It assisted next in July in the taking of Yazoo City. It was stationed for a time at Port Hudson, Louisiana, where it suffered severely from sickness. This proved to be some- thing of a blessing. On September 29th, when those fit were performing heavy picket duty with the Twenty-sixth Indiana Infantry and two pieces of artillery at Sterling Farm some seven miles from Morganza, Louisiana, they were com- pelled to surrender. A few succeeded in escaping from their captors. The cap- tured were taken to Tyler, Texas, where they were placed in a stockade without shelter. Among these were Lieut. John M. Woods, Lieut. Thomas A. Robb, Serg. J. E. Roth, Serg. Thomas A. Stolabarger, Serg. James Barnes, C. B. Campbell, J. N. Slimmer and Joseph Hudgell. The greater part of the regiment being on the sick list was not present. This remainder in Octo- ber was conveyed by sea to the Island of Brazos Santiago, then marched to Brownsville, Texas. It was kept at this point till the last of July, 1864, when it was returned to New Orleans. Here on August 5th it was rejoined by 180 of its
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men, lost as prisoners and recovered by exchange, clothed in rags and nearly starved. It was moved in succession to Pensacola, Florado, to Fort Gaines, Ala- bama, and to East Pascagoula, Mississippi. It was in the operations against Mobile. Its last engagement took place on April 8, 1865, in the capture of Span- ish Fort. It was mustered out on July 10th at Mobile and disbanded on August Ist at Davenport.
The Thirtieth Iowa Infantry served in December, 1862, with Sherman in his abortive attempt to take Vicksburg. It then participated in the capture of Arkan- sas Post. The rest of the winter was passed in digging on the canal by which it was sought to change the course of the Mississippi River. On May 22, 1863, it was in the column which made the vain assault on the impregnable positions of Vicksburg. In a few minutes it lost sixty-four men, killed and wounded. Lieut. S. J. Chester was among the severely wounded. It was with Sherman in the movements which brought about the defeat of General Johnston's army. At Cherokee Station, on October 21st, Capt. Matthew Clark was fatally wounded. On November 24th, it fought above the clouds on Lookout Mountain; on the 25th, it fought at Missionary Ridge; on the 26th, it fought at Ringgold. It was sta- tioned for some months at Woodville, Alabama. In May, 1864, it took part in the engagements about Resaca, and in June in those around Kenesaw Mountain. It continued with Sherman to Atlanta and from Atlanta to the sea. Its last encoun- ter with the enemy was on March 19, 1865, at Bentonville, North Carolina. On May 24th it marched in the Grand Review. It was mustered out on June 5th at Washington. On the way home, a railroad wreck at Sumner Hill, Pennsylvania, killed Serg. Charles C. Bradshaw and severely injured Capt. S. H. Watkins. It was disbanded at Davenport.
The Thirty-seventh Iowa Infantry, after the repulse of Price and Van Dorn, performed guard duty in 1863, from May Ist to July 29th along the line of the Pacific Railroad west of Saint Louis. It then took charge of the military prison at Alton, Illinois, until January 17, 1864, when it was transferred to Rock Island to guard the military prison there, the largest in the West. On June 5th, it was ordered to Memphis, where it was employed in guarding the provision train to La Grange, Tennessee, and to Holly Springs, Mississippi. In this service it came in conflict with the enemy and lost several men, killed and wounded. The last of August it was removed to Indianapolis. Five companies were then sent to guard the military prison at Cincinnati. Five companies were retained at "Camp Morton" where there were 9,000 prisoners. Two of these companies were later sent to Gallipolis, Ohio, to guard prisoners there, and three to Columbus, Ohio, to aid in guarding 16,000 prisoners at "Camp Chase." In May, the regiment was reunited at Cincinnati. On the 20th, it left that city for Davenport, where on the 24th it was mustered out and disbanded.
The Seventh Iowa Cavalry, in detachments, operated in the territories of Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado, and covered a vast extent of country. It garrisoned detached posts, guarded lines of travel, escorted trains of emi- grants, and watched and often fought the Indians. These were trying and dan- gerous, as well as arduous tasks. On November 23, 1864, the members of Com- pany I whose terms of enlistment had expired were mustered out and the others transferred to Company L. Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H were mustered
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out on May 17, 1866, at Leavenworth, Kansas, Companies K, L and M were mustered out on Tune 22d, of the same year, at Sioux City.
The Ninth Iowa Cavalry had no opportunity to take part in any big battles. It scouted over Missouri and Arkansas, chased Quantrell, Rayburn and other guerrillas, guarded railroads and transports, and enforced law and order. Du- vall's Bluff, Arkansas, during the greater part of its sevice, was the center from which it acted. Owing to the presence of many outlaws and desperadoes, and to the disturbed condition of the country in which it was located, it was kept busy for a long time after the close of the war. The several companies were mustered out in 1866, E, F, G, H, K, L, and M on February 3d, A, C and D on February 28th, I on March 15th and B on March 26th, all at Little Rock, Arkansas.
The Forty-fifth Iowa Infantry performed faithfully and well the part for which it was organized. Its employment released as many experienced soldiers and permitted their use to make more effective the blow Sherman was to strike at the crumbling Southern Confederacy. Near the termination of the original period of enlistment, this regiment, when waiting homeward bound on the levee at Memphis for a boat, upon request nobly reenlisted for twenty days and returned to garrison service. It was mustered out on September 16, 1864, at Keokuk.
Not all who enlisted were privileged to return home. Many sleep in unknown graves. Very many lie in National cemeteries, their resting places identified only by numbers. Let it be remembered they died and their comrades suffered that the Nation might live.
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CHAPTER XLI
WAR TIMES
When the year 1861 opened, the money in local circulation for the most part was issues of the free banks of Illinois and Wisconsin. These notes were secured principally by bonds of Southern states and soon actively reflected in their values the growing menace of secession. By April, they were in bad repute. By the middle of that month, the seriousness of the financial situation was such that the business men of Fairfield met in conference to secure uniformity of action. Of this meeting, Thomas D. Evans was chairman, and John H. Wells, secretary. A list was prepared of thirty-eight Illinois banks whose notes, it was agreed, would be received and paid out at par. A permanent committee, namely, John H. Wells, L. F. Boerstler, Daniel Young, W. L. Hamilton and Dr. C. S. Clarke, was authorized to publish this list for gratuitous distribution, to erase the name of any bank which became discredited, and to call another conference whenever required in the interests of the community. The currency of the State Bank of Iowa was adopted as a basis. "After the 29th day of April," the depreciated currency of other states was to pass only at such rates of discount as would make it par with that of Iowa. This course proved wise. The credit of the State Bank of Iowa and its branches remained constant and unimpaired through the trying period of rebellion. The financial needs of the Government leading to the establishment of a National Banking System in 1865, the State Bank of Iowa redeemed its notes in circulation, destroyed them, and brought to a close a short but singularly use- ·ful and honorable career.
News of the treasonable attack on Fort Sumter and the President's Proclama- tion arrived on April 17th and led to instant action. The formation of the county's first company of fighting men was begun before the rising of another sun. Sub- scriptions, started at once for the assistance of families of volunteers, shortly amounted to more than two thousand dollars.
On the afternoon of the 19th, loyal women of Fairfield gathered at Wells' Hall with materials and sewing-machines and began to scrape lint and to pre- pare bandages and clothes for the soldiers. They also made a flag eight yards in length. When first raised on the 22d in the park, where it was afterward to float daily, it was greeted with cheers "which testified the soundness of the popu- lar heart."
The April term of the district court began on the morning of the 23d with Wil- liam M. Stone of Marion County on the bench. It was proposed by George Ache- son that the members of the bar and the officers of the court renew their allegiance to the Government. The proposal was advocated by James F. Wilson, C. W. Slagle, I. D. Jones and D. P. Stubbs. It was approved by Judge Stone. Charles
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Negus alone voiced opposition and refused to take the oath. His conduct was condemned. He sought without success to justify his position and was sub- jected then and later to vigorous and often to bitter criticism.
The next day the volunteers appeared at the courthouse and requested Judge Stone to administer to them the oath of allegiance. He complied. Albert G. Thompson, Thomas L. Huffman, David B. Wilson and Moses A. McCoid were then severally admitted to "practice in this court." The usual procedure lagged. No one had heart for work. Adjournment sine die was entered. Judge Stone, stirred deeply by the call of duty, returned home, resigned from his office, enlisted and was elected captain of Company B, Third Iowa Infantry. In 1864, he suc- ceeded Kirkwood as Governor of Iowa.
On the 26th, a Union Meeting was held at Union Hall in Blackhawk Town- ship. Moses Dudley was chosen chairman, and A. Defrance, secretary. M. M. Bleakmore "made an able and eloquent speech." After him, Richard Gaines, E. Davies and Moses Dudley spoke in turn. A committee consisting of Gaines, Davies and Bleakmore, submitted resolutions which passed unchallenged and may be accepted as a fair expression of what it was thought public sentiment should be.
"Whereas, These United States are now involved in Civil war, actual hostili- ties having been commenced by the bombardment of Fort Sumter; and
"Whereas, Our national capital is threatened with invasion and our Govern- ment with overthrow ; therefore, Resolved,
"I. That we are unalterably attached to the American Union, and we deplore and condemn the attempts to dissolve it;
"2. That we are, as heretofore, on the side of our country now and forever, and that we will obey, maintain and support the Constitution and laws of the United States and of the State of Iowa;
"3. That Abraham Lincoln has been constitutionally and legally elected and inaugurated as President of the United States, and that our very loyalty to the Constitution binds us to protect and defend the Government (of which the ad- ministration wields the executive power) from insult, invasion and overthrow:
"4. That, as many persons present in this meeting have condemned, and still do condemn, the unnatural and violent opposition to the Mexican war of many noted personages, during its continuance, and as history also denounces the still more unpatriotic opposition to the War of 1812, so strongly manifested in other states of the Union, so do we now discountenance opposition, for the sake of opposition, to the policy of the administration; especially do we advise against such opposition as may induce those who have taken up arms against the Constitution and the Union to suppose they have friends and supporters in the loyal states ;
"5. That the administration and the republican party, and all other parties should and will be hereafter severally held to strict account for any errors they may have committed, or may in future commit, in regard to the secession move- ment;
"6. That we are not abolitionists, and that we make no war upon the slave property of the Southern states;
"7. That Civil war has no charms for us, and that we hope and pray for its speedy and happy termination, without an attack upon Washington City, and
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without further devastation and bloodshed; but come what may, we abide by the Constitution and the flag of our Union;
"8. That, if the storm must rage without, we should have peace and union at home, and we do strenuously advise courtesy, toleration and forbearance among our own citizens toward each other; we condemn the use of abusive epi- thets, such as 'traitors' and 'secessionists,' as applied to men, all of whom are loyal to their country and her flag; and we are not in favor of the revival of the sedi- tion laws of John Adams, nor of the enactment here of the treason laws of Henry the Eighth of England, which not only put men to death for their deeds, but also for their words ; and not only for their words, but also for their thoughts."
Two more paragraphs deprecated "the rash articles of extreme and excited newspapers" and "the intemperate language of those who are war men for the sake of war."
The enrollment of a "Home Guard" was begun. Those entering their names at the time were Richard Gaines, J. H. Baker, C. Defrance, Perry Summers, Zach. Baker, John Neff, William Summers, John Davies, S. L. Statkup, W. B. Houder- sheldt, W. D. Alston, George J. Fee, R. M. Mayer, J. P. Wray, Daniel Harter, Eleazer Morgan, James Defrance, Joseph Summers, W. S. McKey, George Eyerly, A. K. Hite and A. Defrance. The company organized on the 30th with forty-five members. Richard Gaines was elected captain. It drilled at James H. Baker's.
On the 27th, citizens of Polk and Locust Grove townships held a union meet- ing in the Methodist Church at Abingdon. W. M. Campbell was selected for chairman and Cyrus McCracken for secretary. M. M. Bleakmore, who was pres- ent by invitation, made a lengthy address, "taking ground in favor of the Union, and against secessionism, abolitionism, free lovism, and all the rascally quibbles, and teachings by which laws have been evaded and nullified." Resolutions iden- tical with those adopted in Blackhawk were approved "without a dissenting voice." M. W. Forrest, P. W. Wilcox, L. T. Gillette, and T. V. Shoup, "were severally called for, each of whom avowed his devotion to the Union." On May 4th, the organization of the "Abingdon Home Guards" with eighty members was completed. The officers were P. W. Wilcox, captain; W. M. Campbell, first lieu- tenant ; Joshua Wright, second lieutenant; and J. J. Sperry, color sergeant.
Also on the 27th, there was a meeting at Miller's schoolhouse in Penn Town- ship "for the purpose of forming a military company for home protection." Philip Miller was chairman, and D. K. Minter, secretary. Twenty-nine men signed the roll. A second meeting was held on May Ist at the same place. Philip Miller was chairman, and W. S. McKee, secretary. A committee to draft resolu- tions consisted of Moses Dudley, F. W. Hurd, Samuel Coop, James Matthews, Mrs. Elizabeth Dudley, Mrs. Anne Hurd, Miss Nancy Hurd and Miss Jane McKee. The names of women in this connection imply a real participation in the proceedings. The Blackhawk Township declarations were reaffrmed. The "Penn Township Home Guards" then organized. O. J. Westenhaver was elected captain. The company drilled at W. G. Coop's.
At Libertyville, probably on May 4th for the date is uncertain, the "demo- cratic pole" left over from the political campaign was taken down and reset on the parade-ground. With enthusiastic cheers, the Stars and Stripes were run up to the tune of "Hail Columbia." The "Jefferson Home Guards," with a mem-
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bership of eighty-four men of Liberty and Des Moines townships, effected an organization by the adoption of a constitution and by laws. Dr. Peter Walker was elected captain. By request, Col. James Thompson drilled the company on this occasion.
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