USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 40
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The large number of the electors of the state who were in the army, under existing laws could not exercise the right of suffrage. This created an unjust and dangerous situation. As Governor Kirkwood put it, the very life of the nation was at stake, and might be as fatally lost at the ballot box as on the battlefield. The Legislature, convened in September in extra session, provided for taking the vote of Iowa soldiers wherever stationed in the United States. Con- trary to democratic expectation at least, they generally cast their ballots for republican candidates. It was decisive proof of their resolution to maintain the government. Apart from the soldier vote, the result in Jefferson County, though in favor of the republicans, was extremely close. James F. Wilson, their nominee for Congress, had a majority of but thirty.
Throughout the late fall, "chopping bees" and "husking frolics" were arranged in the various country communities to help the wives and families of soldiers to a supply of wood and to gather their corn from the field. In Fairfield, also, measures were taken to provide fuel and provisions for those who lacked the means to obtain them.
A review of the accomplishment of the Women's Soldiers' Aid Society of Fairfield, in 1862, reveals how wholeheartedly its members devoted themselves to its work. At the beginning of the year, Mrs. C. W. Slagle yielded the posi- tion of secretary and treasurer to Mrs. E. D. Wells.
On January 21st, box No. 4 was sent to Mrs. Annie Wittemeyer at Keokuk. Its contents were three quilts, eleven pillows, three pillow cases, three bed sacks, ten shirts, six pairs of socks, two pairs of mittens, seven pairs of drawers, seven handkerchiefs, one suit of gray flannel and thirty-seven magazines.
On February 28th, box No. 5, containing twenty-one cans and jars of fruit, some packages of dried fruit, and a large quantity of old linen and bandages, was forwarded to Mount Pleasant. The Fourth Iowa Cavalry, which had been stationed there through the winter, was then taking its departure for the south.
On March 26th, box No. 6 was consigned to the Iowa Army Sanitary Com- mission, in care of C. Marble, at Burlington. This contained five comforters, one quilt, eight pairs of drawers, ten shirts, one bed shirt, ten pillows, twenty pillow cases, five sheets, ten towels, one peck of dried peaches, one can of peaches, seven bottles of wine, several rolls of bandages and several packages of lint.
On April 12th, box No. 7 was shipped to Mrs. Annie Wittemeyer at Cairo, Illinois. Its contents were fifty-two shirts, of which thirty were new and twenty-
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two partly worn, nine pairs of drawers, seven pillows, ten pillow cases, twenty towels, fifteen rolls of bandages and several packages of old linen.
The battle of Pittsburg Landing crowded the hospitals with wounded and sick. The need of supplies in great quantities was imperative. The member- ship and activities of the society increased. To promote its efficiency, at the last meeting in April, there was a division of labor. "Three directresses," Mrs. James F. Wilson, Mrs. George Stever and Miss Nancy Butler, were appointed, A gentleman, whose name is not reported, had previously furnished funds to pay the expenses of a nurse. Mrs. M. E. Woods now undertook the mission. On May Ist, she left for the hospital at Keokuk, taking with her forty-eight pounds of butter, ninety-seven dozen eggs, and box No. 8, containing thirteen sheets, two pillows, eleven pillow cases, eighteen towels, thirteen new shirts, ten partly worn shirts, one comforter, eight pairs of drawers, ten cans and six jars of fruit, two bottles of catsup, two rolls of bandages and five pads for wounded limbs.
On June 2d, a box of butter and a barrel of eggs were sent to Keokuk in care of Mrs. Woods. This was followed on June 24th by box No. 9, containing twelve new shirts and thirty-two partly worn, three sheets, two pillows, six pillow cases, three dressing gowns, one pair of socks, eight pairs of new drawers and twelve pairs partly worn, one pair of half boots, nine pairs of slippers, two jugs and one can of tomatoes, fifty-eight cans and bottles of fruit, sixty-three pounds of butter, fourteen pounds of cheese, a package of loaf sugar, some dried meat and several packages of rags.
In July, there were shipped to Keokuk, on the 11th, one barrel of eggs and box No. 10, containing twenty-seven shirts, three sheets, one pair of slippers, twenty-four towels, twenty-six pairs of drawers, three pillows, fourteen pillow of potatoes and onions, and box No. 12, containing twenty pairs of drawers, cases, four jars of fruit, sixty-three pounds of butter, eight rolls of bandages and several packages of old linen; on the 15th, box No. 11, containing thirty cans and jars of fruit; and on the 20th, one keg of butter.
There were shipped to Columbus. Kentucky, on August 10th, four mosquito bars, two barrels of onions and one barrel of potatoes; on the 15th, one mosquito bar, six barrels of potatoes and two barrels of onions; on the 25th, two barrels eighteen shirts, one bed gown, five pillow cases and one piece of mosquito net- ting; and on September Ist, one barrel of pickled cucumbers.
Ninety pillow sacks were furnished Company B, of the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, which left Keokuk early in September. On October 5th, box No. 13 was sent to Springfield, Missouri, where this regiment was then located. It contained fifteen cans of fruit, three bottles of brandy, five bottles of wine, two pounds of tea, three pounds of sugar, some catsup, some partly worn shirts and towels and a package of old linen.
Three more shipments were made to Keokuk. There were forwarded, on October Ist, a demijohn of molasses, a keg of tomato pickle, and box No. 14, containing thirty-six shirts, twenty-two pairs of drawers, one sheet, one table- cloth, one bottle of jelly, one bottle of catsup, two cans of apple butter, one large sack of dried apples, one of dried corn, one of dried elderberries, and several packages of rags; on November 8th, box No. 15, containing nineteen pairs of drawers, three pairs of socks, sixteen shirts and one comfort; and on December
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Ist, one keg of tomato pickle and box No. 16, containing sixteen shirts, ten pairs of drawers, five quilts, five towels, five pairs of socks, two bottles of wine, one bottle of catsup, three packages of butter, sixty quarts of fruit, some honey, jelly cake and old linen.
A "Fair and Festival" was given by the society in Wells' Hall on Christmas eve. On the walls were suggestive mottoes framed in wreaths of evergreen. "Ladies' Aid Society, the Soldiers' Friend." "The Love of Country Guides Us." "Where Liberty Dwells, There Is My Country." "He Who Gives Promptly, Gives Twice as Much." Fancy articles, cakes, confections and oysters were offered for sale. There was realized a net return of $222.11, a sum that indicates a successful entertainment.
The winter was remarkably mild. The ground was hardly frozen to a greater depth than four inches. There was little snow.
For the supporters of the Union cause, it ushered in a dark and bitter time. The battle of Prairie Grove on December 7th, in which both Company B, under Captain Harry Jordan, and Company D, under Captain Joshua Wright, of the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, suffered severely, again brought into many homes in the county a direct and cruel knowledge of the personal price of war. The presidential proclamation on January 1, 1863, freeing "persons held as slaves" in rebellious territory as "a fit and necessary war measure," and announcing that "such persons of suitable condition" would be "received into the armed service of the United States," offered the sympathizers with the South and its "peculiar institution" the country over an opportunity, as they thought, to justify their opposition to a continuance of the conflict. Here, as elsewhere, it was seized to proclaim "failure" and excite racial prejudice. "Peace petitions" were put in circulation. "Peace meetings" were held. The first one met on New Year's eve at Phillip's Church in Cedar Township. Before January passed, it was succeeded by others at Wheeler's schoolhouse in Cedar Township, at Miller's schoolhouse in Penn Township, at Fairfield and at Abingdon. They were alike in spirit. They denounced Lincoln, the proclamation, the administration and administration policies. They favored, to quote their own words, "a cessation of hostilities for such a period as may be necessary to allow the people of the North and South to express through a national convention their wishes for peace and a maintenance of the Union as it was under the Constitution as it is."
The movement was not long permitted to present its case unchallenged. It was assailed with vigor and determination. "Union meetings" were called. The announcements of their place and time bore sentiments credited to Stephen A. Douglas and Joseph Holt. That of Douglas was, "In this contest there can be none but Patriots or Traitors; every man must be for the Government or against it." That of Holt was, "Looking upon the graves of our Fathers and the cradles of our Children, we have sworn that though all things else should perish, this Union and Government shall live." The first of these meetings was on February 13th at a schoolhouse near Robert Dougherty's in Cedar Township; the second on the 16th at Abingdon; the third on the 17th at Coalport; the fourth, "a Grand Rally," on the 21st at Fairfield, where the chief address was made in Wells' Hall by Judge David Rorer of Burlington. The climax of the last gathering was in the reading of a letter from Lieut. W. S. Brooks of Company D, of the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry. addressed to his parents. It
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told a dramatic story. "Mother, I send you the wristband from the shirt which I wore at Prairie Grove. You will see that four balls passed through it, and my hand was not harmed. I held the flag in that hand. Show it to all the children and friends, that they may see how sacred is the emblem of our liber- ties." The wristband itself was held up to public view. Such an incident under such circumstances could but quicken pulses where red blood filled the veins.
Loyalty was cultivated with a stern enthusiasm. In March, there were "Union meetings" at Brookville, at Germanville, at Libertyville, at Miller's schoolhouse in Penn Township, at Salina, and at Burr Oak schoolhouse in Walnut Township. Among those who took an active part in attending and addressing them were C. W. Slagle, George Acheson, R. S. Hughes, Dr. J. M. Shaffer, D. P. Stubbs, R. F. Ratcliff, R. C. Brown, Owen Bromley, Lieut. W. S. Brooks, Rev. John Heaton, and Rev. Lewis Fordyce, then of Van Buren County. The stand taken was bold, positive, without equivocation. The sense of each assemblage was usually set out in deliberative form. At Coalport, it was affirmed "that we, as Westerners, will forever resist all attempts to separate one portion of our glorious country from another, believing in the motto, 'United we stand, divided we fall.'" At Fairfield, it was declared that "peace meetings" tend "to give aid and comfort to the public enemy ; that the leaders in these meetings who are crying 'Bring back our armies,' 'Stop the war,' and who are also clamoring for a 'restoration of the Union with New England left out in the cold,' are more vitally the foes of our country than if they were in the armies of Jeff. Davis, with muskets aimed at the hearts of our sons and brothers." At Germanville, it was asserted "that we are opposed to all schemes of dividing this Union, whether they emanate from the north, south, east or west, and that we will hold up all Northern sympathizers with treason to the execration of loyal citizens." At Brookville, it was "resolved by every friend of the 'Old Flag' and the Govern- ment that has made us all that we are, that we will quell that rebellion or die in the attempt; that we know no difference between a Southern rebel and a North- ern sympathizer; and that we intend to act in all cases by order of legally con- stituted authority." At Libertyville, it was stated "that we, as lovers of the Union, believe that the new fangled name, Peace Meetings, is only substituted for the Knights of the Golden Circle, the object of which is to deceive the masses; and that we believe that the legitimate result of the inflammatory speeches made at these peace meetings is already exhibiting itself in the burning of Union men's property." At Miller's schoolhouse it was proclaimed "that for us the Missis- sippi must roll unbroken to the Gulf, nor will we be divided from the East;" that "we will fight this war, not only to defend our Constitution and laws, but because we and our posterity have no other security or hope of peace but in the integrity of the territory which God and our fathers united;" and "that sub- mission to the constituted laws and authorities is the only basis of free govern- ment and society, and they who take up arms against them without cause, and they who aid, comfort and counsel enemies in war, are alike guilty of betraying their country, and in every age have been justly branded with the scorn of mankind."
Reports of the "peace meetings" brought from the soldiers in every quarter instant condemnation of the leaders in them and of their purposes. The formal utterance of the members of Company E of the Second Iowa Infantry, on
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February 12th, at Corinth, Mississippi, is illustrative of the common feeling. "We have met," said Sergt. George Heaton, "to express our sentiments and con- victions in regard to the action of the so called peace party in the North, and more particularly in the state and county which are endeared to us by the name of home, and to place these solemn convictions upon record, and to lay them before our friends and fellow citizens." Lieut. D. B. Wilson was elected chair- man. A. K. Updegraff was appointed secretary. Lieut. M. A. McCoid, Sergt. George Heaton, Sergt. W. S. Sims, Sergt. Daniel Brown, Corporal George H. Case, S. D. Gorsuch and Thomas L. Huffman formulated the resolutions. These, after an argumentative portrayal of conditions, charged "That the real object of such organizations is to aid and encourage the rebellion, and that men who give their influence and countenance to such meetings contribute as much to the cause of rebellion as they who take up arms under the banner of Treason, and are more dangerous enemies, being more treacherous though less courageous, than they who meet us on the battlefield;" and "That against the leaders of the 'peace party of the North' we are as ready to turn our bayonets as against the rebels of the South, and while we are ngaged in the field we deem it the duty of loyal men at home to organize themselves into military companies to secure the peace and safety of our homes." With reference to the "pretext" for withdraw- ing support from the Government, they claimed further "That the proclamation of the President emancipating the slaves of rebels, is calculated to weaken the strength of the rebellion and contribute materially to the restoration of the Union, and that we heartily endorse it, believing that the best way to remove civil war from our land is to remove the cause."
Views like these were also iterated and emphasized in soldiers' letters, many of which were published. The language applied to "copperheads" was intense. It was most harsh when called out by critical or questioning communications from peace men to friends in the army. There were intimations of "a day of retribution" and of "Haman's fate." "Let them go on till we know who are traitors indeed," wrote Lieut. A. Scott Jordan on March 3d from the camp of the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry at Forsyth, Missouri, "and then God grant that the Constitution may not be violated one iota in this case, but carried out to the letter, and treason, the greatest crime a man can commit, meet its just reward."
That military companies, drilled and armed, not only would exercise a restraining influence on disturbing elements, but also, in case of sudden need to employ force in the protection of life and property, would be a wise preparation, was recognized. The Home Guards of Liberty and Des Moines Townships, having maintained an organization, on February 3d, at Libertyville, were mus- tered sixty-six strong into the service of the State of Iowa by William Long, the county clerk. Opposite eleven names on the roll was the significant entry, "With the consent of parents." Accession to the ranks soon increased the membership to ninety-one. The burning of haystacks belonging to Judge Moses Black of Des Moines Township and to J. T. Lamp of Liberty Township, and the secret commission of other offenses against outspoken Union men doubtless hastened the enrollment. James Cowan was captain; James W. Moore, first lieutenant ; and John F. Watkins, second lieutenant. In regular order, the ser- geants were Cornelius M. Comegys, Washington J. M. Smith, Thomas D. Pol-
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lock, Moses B. Walker and William Keech. The corporals were John Famulener, George C. Fry, Young S. Pierson and James M. Black.
In the latter part of February and the early part of March, the "Union Guards" of Fairfield, the "Prairie Rangers," enrolled largely from the country north of Fairfield, and the "Abingdon Home Guards" were organized. Of the first named, R. F. Ratcliff was captain; D. R. McCracken, first lieutenant; L. J. Allen, second lieutenant; and W. W. Junkin, orderly sergeant. This com- pany was sworn into the service of the state on March 13th by Lieutenant Colonel Vail. On April 17th, it was provided with muskets. Of the second named, R. S. Hughes was captain; J. M. Grafton, first lieutenant; W. L. McLean, second lieutenant; and W. A. Frush, orderly sergeant. Of the third named, Winthrop D. Peck was captain; John A. Ireland, first lieutenant; William H. Williams, second lieutenant; and Iradell Tansey, orderly sergeant.
So sharply drawn was the difference of opinion on the purpose and conduct of the war that in Fairfield it was the issue in the school election. The "Union ticket" was carried by more than two votes to one. The school directors, on April 13th, having elected to their corps of teachers two who were criticised for entertaining doubtful or disloyal views, three days later reconsidered these selec- tions and substituted two others "of known Union sentiments."
With the coming of spring, "Liberty pins" and "butternuts" appeared. A cut of a butternut was displayed at the head of the editorial columns of the Constitution and Union. The "Liberty pin" was made from an old American cent piece by cutting away the metal so that the head of "Liberty" alone remained. It was this emblem that gave rise to the opprobrious term "copperhead" with its figurative meaning. The "butternut" was a symbol for a name bestowed upon the Western Confederate soldier on account of his uniform. These tokens were worn to indicate hostility to abolitionism. They were interpreted by adherents of the Union cause as significant signs of treason. Flaunted at church and other public places, they were the occasion of many personal affrays. Women as well as men resented the insult'of their presence, and many times in their indignation engaged in physical combat to remove or destroy the hated object.
In March, L. D. Wilson of Chicago, afterward to be known as "Sorghum," visited Fairfield with a view to the establishment of a "sorghum mill and sugar refinery." The prospect proving satisfactory, he invested some thirty thousand dollars in the enterprise. The productive capacity of his plant was calculated at fifty barrels of sugar per day. He distributed free large quantities of seed and sought to contract for the planting of 600 acres of cane. Hope of a new great industry in the locality prevailed. The future outcome may be anticipated. The sorghum was intractable and refused to granulate under the old processes. The difficulty, whatever it was, never was overcome. The venture was a failure. Yet in 1867 nearly a thousand acres of cane were grown in the county and con- verted into molasses. In subsequent years its cultivation declined.
A "county democratic meeting" on May 23d had for its chief object the voicing of a public and indignant protest against the arrest and confinement of Henry Clay Dean "in a manner contrary to the Constitution." "This prominent and respectable citizen of the State of Iowa," at Keokuk a short time before had been, according to the statement of his friends, "lawlessly abducted and imprisoned by unrestrained United States soldiers."
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On June 15th, the telegraph line reached Fairfield. Congratulatory telegrams were exchanged with Mount Pleasant and Burlington. Even in these is shown concern for the national welfare. The first message came from A. W. Snyder to W. W. Junkin. "Mount Pleasant sends a royal greeting to Fairfield over the electric wire, and may her copperheads soon be shocked with a Union victory !" The next day A. R. Fulton made reply .. "Mr. Junkin is absent at the state con- vention. Fairfield is proud of her electrical union with her loyal sister, Mount Pleasant. United by iron and lightning, may we always be united in our devo- tion to the Union." To C. Dunham he sent this word: "A loyal electric greeting from the Ledger to the Hawkeye. Let us be united for the Union as we are now united by iron and lightning." This was the response: "The Hawkeye reciprocates the loyal greeting of the Ledger and its good wishes for the Union. As the wire quickens our intercourse, so may the hearts and purposes of our people be brought nearer together, and may each of us be enabled to see and understand the necessities of the hour, and our duty to the country and to each other."
On June 25th, Fairfield College was incorporated. It took over the land and building of the Fairfield University and essayed to carry on an institution of learning. The board consisted of C. W. Slagle, president; George Schramm, vice president ; A. R. Fulton, secretary; George Stever, treasurer; David Hill, Robert McElhinny and Thomas Ehrnman, trustees; Rev. A. Axline, A. M. Geiger, J. M. Whitham, J. M. Slagle and D. P. Stubbs, the finance committee; and Rev. S. L. McCune, Rev. D. Sprecher, Rev. A. S. Wells, J. B. Horn and D. Mccullough, the examining committee. At least nine of the board were required to be members of good standing in the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
In the fall Fairfield College opened with Rev. A. Axline as president of the faculty and professor of mental and moral science, with Rev. A. M. Geiger as professor of mathematics and of natural philosophy, with Miss Collins as an assistant instructor and with Miss Emma White as teacher of instrumental music. It was a coeducational school. There were classes in Greek, Latin, geometry, trigonometry, algebra, physiology and philosophy, as well as in the common branches. During the first two terms, there were 115 students in attend- ance.
The Fourth of July was observed at Fairfield with unusual decorum. A "basket dinner" in the park was the chief attraction. The merchants closed their doors and refrained from business. No incident marred the pleasures of the day. After prayer, there was an impressive reading of the Declaration of Independence by A. R. Fulton. The toasts dealt with familiar themes of daily conversation. The responses, it well may be believed, were quickened by an earnest and hopeful patriotism. There is yet an exaltation in the form and expression of the sentiments then uttered.
"I. The 4th day of July, 1776, and the charter of our liberties, that day proclaimed: Hallowed be the memory of the one, eternal the principles of the other." Rev. A. Axline responded.
"2. George Washington."
"3. The patriots of the Revolution: Posterity owes them a debt which can be repaid only in the perpetuation of the government they sacrificed so much to establish." Dr. J. M. Shaffer responded.
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"4. Our Constitution, the Union and the Flag: Let us preserve sacred the first, undivided the second, and honored the last." Rev. Leonard responded.
"5. The existing rebellion, appalling in its magnitude and groundless in its origin, is a desperate attempt on the part of its authors to overthrow a Constitu- tion which they were sworn to support and a system of laws which they them- selves enacted." George Acheson responded.
"6. The soldiers in the field: They fight in a just cause and for their country's glory. All honor to those who may survive: We will revere the memory of those who fall." Rev. Reed M. Wilkinson responded.
"7. The President of the United States." R. F. Ratcliff responded.
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