USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 41
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"8. The President's Proclamation of January 1, 1863: Liberty for the . enslaved blacks, with civilization for the poor whites of the states in rebellion, and life, with permanent prosperity, for the whole nation." R. C. Brown responded.
"9. Copperhead and Butternut Badges: The man who wears either of them is an ignorant dupe, a cowardly sympathizer with treason, or an avowed traitor." Richard Gaines responded.
"10. The war for the destruction of our government and overthrow of free institutions can be successfully terminated only by dealing sharp, quick and heavy blows." William Hampson responded.
"II. God bless the loyal women of the land." Rev. John Burgess responded.
"12. The support of the government is the imperative duty of the citizens;
. opposition in this day of trial is aid and comfort to the enemy, and the rebellion is strengthened by such hostility, although disguised as professed allegiance." Rev. E. L. Briggs responded.
"13. The State of Iowa: We point with pride to her record. Nature has been generous in her bounties of soil and climate. Her people are patriotic; her soldiers are brave; no draft has been needed to fill the required quota of her troops, and her volunteers in many battles have made her famous in history."
"'Land of the West! Beneath the heaven There's not a fairer, lovlier clime, Nor one to which was ever given A destiny more high, sublime.'"
To this R. R. Hall responded.
A regimental drill of the Home Guards of the county concluded the cere- monies.
The week that followed was one of jubilation and exultation. On Monday, confirmation of the defeat of Lee at Gettysburg was received. "About fifty school bells" were placed on wagons and rung through the streets. At night there was a general illumination of the square. Laths were cut just long enough to be sprung across the window frames. On these, one above another, behind the glass were placed rows of lighted candles. The windows shone like galaxies of stars. Only three places were dark. These were stigmatized "The Darkness of Hell," "The Standard of Secession," and "The Disgrace to Humanity." Lead- ing citizens made joyful speeches. On Tuesday afternoon came the announce- ment of the fall of Vicksburg. Men shook hands and shouted. There was good reason. Fathers, brothers, sons, neighbors and friends were at last free from
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those terrible trenches and they were victorious. That night "John Brown" was sung and resung with spirit and abandon. On Wednesday arrived news of the brilliant repulse of the rebels at Helena, Arkansas, and the capture of a large number of them by Gen. B. M. Prentiss. Arrangements were made to celebrate in the evening these victories on the Fourth. Word of the intention quickly spread. Several thousand people assembled. "Three hundred transparencies and lamps" lit up the park. Many short speeches added to the rejoicing. On Saturday, to signalize these events, "a large pole and flag" were raised at Brook- ville; at night, in a grove near Libertyville, there was a great meeting to glorify them. At later dates, there were celebrations of them at Germanville, Salina and Coalport. Hopes of a speedy return of peace were revived.
One of the boldest defenders in Iowa of slavery was George Cyphert Tally, a young and eloquent Baptist minister. He was well known in Jefferson County, where he had spoken frequently at "peace meetings." As the result of an alterca- tion on the streets of South English, on August Ist, which was Saturday, he was shot and killed. His friends and followers in Wapello, Mahaska and Powesheik Counties, threatening to avenge his death, gathered in numbers about two miles from Sigourney on the south bank of Skunk River, where they were divided into companies and officers chosen to command them. The serious aspect of affairs was brought to the attention of Governor Kirkwood on Monday. With his usual decisiveness, he resolved to visit the scene of disorder. As a precautionary measure, he summoned to Sigourney an artillery squad from Mount Pleasant and several companies of infantry, the latter including the Abingdon Home Guards, the Union Guards, the Prairie Rangers and the Libertyville Home Guards.
Charles Negus, who had been sent for by the leaders of the Tally party, reached their camp on Tuesday and wisely counseled them "to maintain their character of law abiding citizens and not to do anything they were not authorized to do by law." He then went on to Sigourney. Governor Kirkwood arrived toward evening and standing on the courthouse steps gave a plain, blunt talk on a proper respect for law and the duty of citizenship. "I will make an example," he said in closing, "of those engaged in these disturbances, which will forever deter others from engaging in like proceedings. I say what I mean and I mean what I say." Charles Negus meanwhile, having learned by accident of the impending presence of soldiers, meeting the commander of the Tally forces, told him what was planned and advised him to return to his men and as soon as it was dark have them disperse. The advice was heeded.
Receiving their orders on Wednesday, the Prairie Rangers and Union Guards. numbering together perhaps one hundred and thirty men, proceeded at once to Richland, where they camped for the night. Thursday morning they were joined by the Abingdon Home Guards, 100 strong. The combined body reported that evening for duty at Sigourney. The Libertyville Home Guards with ninety men closely followed them in. Captain Cowan, according to his own statement, having been secretly informed that an ambuscade was prepared in the woods along Cedar through which his company would pass should the direct route be taken, made a detour through Fairfield to avoid any interference. The danger of a conflict having passed, the troops remained but a day and then returned home.
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While in politics there was not the usual open activity, there was no lack of interest. There were numbers of "Democratic Clubs" and of "Union Leagues." On August Ist, the democrats met at Fairfield to ratify their state ticket. Fol- lowing a recommendation of their state convention, they voted to petition the Board of Supervisors to appropriate money to pay the exemption fee of those who might be drafted. Some butternuts were in evidence, in a few cases worn by women. These occasioned more or less friction, which toward evening culminated in blows struck and blows returned. It happened to be the regular drill day of the Union Guards and Prairie Rangers. The long roll was beaten. The men promptly fell into line and were marched into the park. Their appear- ance with guns and bayonets quickly quieted the more boisterous, who soon left a place which promised easily to become dangerous. At night, M. M. Bleakmore and D. Sheward made speeches, deploring "wild fanaticism" and urging restraint and avoidance of spiteful names.
There were two important "union celebrations," as the republicans called their rallies. The first was on August 29th in Keech's grove at Libertyville. The morning was devoted to a military display in which seven companies of "guards" participated, under the command of Col. W. W. Bickford. In the afternoon speeches were made by Senator James W. Grimes, Gen. J. G. Lau- man, Joshua Tracy of Burlington, and James F. Wilson. The second was on September 25th at Fairfield. An imposing procession, formed on the depot grounds, with the Fairfield and Agency brass bands and with drum corps in line, marched over the principal streets. From stand in the center of the park and on the northwest and southeast corners of the square, addresses were made throughout the afternoon by George W. Julian of Indiana, Maj .- Gen. S. R. Curtis, Judge David Rorer, Col. Cyrus Bussey, Col. W. M. Stone and others. George W. Julian spoke again at night.
In the election, the republican vote, or as it should more properly be called, the union vote, was in a large majority.
The work of the Women's Soldiers' Aid Society was carried on through 1863 with methodic energy. The annual meeting was held on January 8th at the home of Mrs. C. W. Slagle. After determining more officers with specific duties were required, the managing board was filled by choosing for president Mrs. Thomas D. Evans, for vice president Mrs. William H. Jordan, for secre- tary and treasurer Mrs. E. D. Wells, for directresses Mrs. J. F. Wilson, Mrs. George Stever, Mrs. S. A. Hastings and Mrs. J. E. Daugherty, and for the purchasing committee, Mrs. Reed M. Wilkinson and Mrs. J. H. Hill.
Having obtained for Mrs. M. E. Woods a permit from Gen. S. M. Curtis to visit all the regiments under his command, and a pass from the secretary of war, the distribution of their supplies was thereafter accomplished through her as special agent. Beginning her first trip in this capacity on January 28th, she started 5,000 pounds of stores for the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry at Springfield, Missouri. Unable to reach this destination on account of the disturbed con- ditions of the country through which she was to pass, she distributed these stores among the hospitals at St. Louis.
On March 18th, in charge of 4,096 pounds of stores, she undertook her second trip. As designed, she took part of this shipment to the Third Iowa Cavalry at Pilot Knob, Missouri, part to the Fourth Iowa Cavalry at Helena,
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Arkansas, and part to the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry at Vicksburg. The men of companies G and H of the last regiment voted their "sincere and hearty thanks to the good people of Fairfield and Jefferson County."
On May 2Ist, she set out for Vicksburg with 12,011 pounds of stores, ot which 4,594 pounds were contributed from Glasgow, 522 pounds from Des Moines Township, 103 pounds from Rich Woods, 114 pounds from Penn Town- ship, 428 pounds from Salina, 2,860 pounds from Locust Grove and Blackhawk townships, and 3,390 pounds from Fairfield. She was able to distribute these supplies in the early days of June. "They could not have arrived at a more needy time," wrote Dr. R. J. Mohr, surgeon of the Tenth Iowa Infantry, in appreciative strain to Mrs. T. D. Evans. "The forces had just finished one of the longest and most fatiguing marches of the war, hundreds of sick and wounded filled our hospitals, and all had been placed on half rations of an inferior quality of food for some time when these stores, consisting of pota- toes, canned and dried fruits, canned chicken, butter, &c., reached us. The thanks of the brave boys were profuse on receiving them, and all declared it to be the richest treat they had had since entering the service."
On September 30th, with 3,814 pounds of stores, she set out again for Vicksburg. After three weeks, she attained her destination only to find she could not get in touch with the regiments she desired to reach. In this predica- ment she bestowed her consignment largely upon Company M of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry at Black River, Mississippi.
On November 23d, with 7,282 pounds of stores, she left for various points on the last trip of the year. After a month on the way, she reached the Second Iowa Infantry, then quartered at Pulaski, Tennessee. It was just before Christmas. The "boys" of Company E thereupon detailed Robert Lock for special service in the culinary department and, if the account of it by one of them may be believed, enjoyed a memorable dinner.
She then pushed on till she found the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry at Woodsville, Alabama. "Overcoming many difficulties and delays," wrote Edwin B. Kerr of her visit, "Mrs. Woods followed us from place to place, determined that we should have, if in any way possible, the goods sent to us. * Gladly and thankfully did we receive them. They were much needed. We had just passed through the recent severe campaign, having been at and beyond the famous Chattanooga, where for a long time scarcely half rations could be had, and we could well appreciate something nice. * * The articles were equally divided to the regiment, and all-yes, every one-got a share. Many a nice meal was made of them and many a vote of thanks the ladies got. Three times within a year Mrs. Woods has been a welcome messenger, actually bringing to us the many articles of luxury and comfort from friends at home. We know we are not forgotten."
The expenditures of the society were $477.04 for the twelve months. Money was secured in various ways. A small part came from dues, donations and collections at "union meetings." On the Fourth of July were obtained $44.85 by taking a collection in the park and $231.21 by holding a festival at night. On Christmas eve, a soldiers' fair and festival netted $546 as its clear proceeds.
The needy at home were not neglected. Watchful eyes sought them out; kind hands ministered to their wants. Through a severe and trying winter, the
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Fairfield Relief Society, of which Rev. S. S. McCune was president, Robert McElhinny treasurer, and I. D. Jones, secretary, was helpful. The Union League made soldiers' families more particularly the object of its solicitude. Being a secret organization, it operated through R. W. Alexander, J. A. Spiel- man and A. T. Wells, its working committee. Under their supervision, aid to the value of $333.96 was rendered. About two-thirds of this were sixty- two loads of wood and 3,975 pounds of flour.
The holidays were a season of intermittent storms. Heavy snowfalls were followed on December 31st by a raging blizzard. The cold was intense. The wind was terrible. The air was so filled with blowing snow as almost to blind those who were out of doors. Roads were blockaded with impassable drifts. Trains were unable to move.
By this inclement weather, twenty-three members of Company E of the Second Iowa Infantry, homeward bound, were detained three days in Burlington. On the evening of January 2, 1864, they reached Fairfield. Their coming was for the encouragement of recruiting. The terms of enlistment of the first volunteers were soon to expire. While many of them had already reenlisted, many men still were needed to make good the losses.
The returned soldiers were guests of honor. There was a round of parties and entertainments for them. On the 14th, the Women's Soldiers' Aid Society gave them a public supper in Wells' Hall. Some two hundred and fifty persons were present. Following custom, they expressed their feelings in toasts which were announced by Dr. C. S. Clarke acting as president, and repeated by Wil- liam Long acting as vice president. The themes proposed were: "Our Iowa Soldiers," "The Army and Navy of the Union," "Abraham Lincoln," "The Loyal People of the Land," "Our Fighting Commanders," "The Battles of the Burgs," "The Memory of Our Patriot Dead, Who Died for Country and for Lib- erty," "The Patriotic Women of Our Country," "The Battle Fields of the War," "The Hope of the Oppressed in Our Land," "The Fairfield Ladies' Aid Society," "The Iowa First," "Slavery, the Cause of the War," "Dear Old New England," "The Thirtieth Iowa Infantry," "The Magna Charta, the Declaration of Independence and the Proclamation of Freedom." Among those who re- sponded were George Acheson, Rev. A. Axline, the first chaplain of the Second Iowa Infantry; R. C. Brown, Rev. J. M. Williams, C. W. Slagle, Maj. A. R. Pierce of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, Lieut. J. A. P. Hampson of the Tenth Regular Infantry, Rev. A. M. Geiger, Lieut .- Col. W. S. Brooks of the Third Arkansas Infantry, Lieut. D. B. Wilson. of Company E of the Second Iowa Infantry, Acting Lieut. W. R. Wells, U. S. N., Colonel Greusel of the Thirty- sixth Illinois Infantry, W. H. H. Hampson, A. R. Fulton, H. N. Moore, Capt. John T. McCullough of Company E of the Second Iowa Infantry, and Rev. John Burgess, who had served as chaplain of the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry.
On the morning of Monday, February 8th, the members of Company E of the Second Iowa Infantry were in wagons standing north of the park prepared to start for Washington, where they were to take the train for the rendezvous at Davenport. Suddenly, at a preconcerted signal or a chance suggestion, a num- ber of them jumped from their seats and rushed to the office of the Constitution and Union. This was over the bank of Samuel C. Farmer in a building which stood just east of the alley on the south side of the square. In but a moment
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they overturned the stove, threw the type out of the window, destroyed the cases, assaulted D. Sheward, the editor and publisher, as he tried to escape, took his books and papers from him, tore them up and piled them with the broken office furniture upon the fire. They were gone as quickly as they came. There was no opportunity for any one to offer an effective resistance. The fire was put out before it obtained headway. Threats were made by some of Sheward's friends that unless there was "restitution" there would be "retaliation." Only. a determined leader, ignorant of the risk or willing to take it, was needed to bring on a destructive disturbance. There were grave fears of what might happen under the stress of excitement. Dr. W. W. Bickford, commanding the Jefferson County Battalion, by order of Joseph P. Roberts, deputy United States marshal, at once instructed Captain Cowan to report with his company, the Libertyville Home Guards, fully armed for active service with the utmost dis- patch at Wells' Hall in Fairfield. Within a few hours this officer reported with his command and was assigned to duty. So large a crowd gathered on Tuesday that the drinking saloons were all closed. The presence of the guards under arms, the knowledge that to incite disorder would bring danger to the instigator, and reflection, all served as sobering influences. On Wednesday, quiet having been restored, Captain Cowan and his men withdrew. This was the end of the Constitution and Union.
On February 11th, the veterans of Company F of the Third Iowa Cavalry arrived at Fairfield on furlough. They, too, were feasted in private and in public. On March 3d they and the veterans of Company H of the same regiment were given suppers at the Leggett House, Jefferson House and John Mount's. They met afterwards at Wells' Hall where, after speeches by Maj. John W. Noble, George Acheson and Lieut .- Col. Henry C. Caldwell, they danced till morning. On the 4th, they were entertained at a grand dinner at Libertyville. A few days later they took their departure for Keokuk.
On March 14th, the veterans of Company M of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry came to Fairfield direct from Vicksburg and the raid of General Sherman into Mississippi. They also received a cordial welcome. On April Ist, they enjoyed a dinner at Salina. On the 7th they partook of a complimentary supper to the regiment at Mount Pleasant.
On April 7th, an auxiliary society of the Northwestern Freedman's Aid Commission was organized at the Congregational Church. Rev. D. Worth- ington was chosen for president, Rev. A. Axline for vice president, Rev. J. M. Williams for secretary, and William Black for treasurer. The committee of ladies were Mrs. J. M. Shaffer, Mrs. J. C. Keck, Mrs. N. Averill, Mrs. L. P. Taylor, Mrs. Halfield, Mrs. T. A. Parkinson, Mrs. William Dunwoody, Mrs. H. W. Lewis, Mrs. J. Kerr, Miss N. Hemphill, Miss Brown and Miss P. Hunt- zinger. One hundred dollars were raised for the work of the commission.
On May 13th, an auxiliary association was formed to promote the interests of the Soldiers' Orphan Asylum of Iowa. Rev. A. M. Geiger was elected presi- dent, Rev. J. M. Williams, vice president ; A. R. Fulton, secretary, and Alexander Fulton, treasurer. Several life memberships of $25 each were taken in this institution, among them one by the Women's Soldiers' Aid Society and one by various contributors in the name of Mrs. M. E. Woods.
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On June 3d, the discharged members of Company E of the Second Iowa Infantry arrived at home, having completed their three years' service.
The Fourth of July was not generally observed. There was little heart for it. No recent signal victory excited the imagination. Public confidence, too, was somewhat shaken in General Grant on account of his failure yet to take Richmond. A mood of depression was prevalent. An impromptu gathering in the park, however, was addressed by George Acheson and Capt. W. T. Burgess. At night, the Women's Soldiers' Aid Society gave an entertainment.
Under an enactment of the Legislature lately gone into effect, Adjutant- General Baker on July 21st and 27th issued "General Orders" requiring the organization of the entire militia of the state. To Jefferson County were assigned twenty-one companies. R. F. Ratcliff, W. M. Clark and George Ache- son were appointed to oversee the enrollment. For the most part these were. perfunctory bodies. Two exceptions may be noted. On July 30th, a new com- pany of "Union Guards," which included a remnant of the old one, was formed. The officers were M. A. McCoid, captain; G. H. Case, first lieutenant, and J. A. Spielman, second lieutenant. On August 5th, the organization of a cavalry company was effected. Of this the officers were W. D. Clapp, captain; Thomas L. Huffman, first lieutenant; J. T. Hartman, second lieutenant, and William Long, orderly sergeant. The Libertyville and Abingdon Home Guards were not affected by this official action.
In Missouri, many bands of guerrillas were committing depredations, destroy- ing property and killing defenseless citizens upon any provocation. There was dread that they might invade Iowa. Their wanton acts inspired "General Order No. 25," addressed to the militia. It is a grim document. Paragraphs IV and V show its deadly earnestness.
"IV. If any guerrilla, robber or thief crosses from Missouri or from any other state into this state, for the purpose of murder, robbery or thieving, in armed bands, no report will be required by this department of prisoners taken, and any officer who takes as a prisoner any guerrilla, murderer, thief or ma- rauder of such armed band, will at once be dismissed from the state service.
"V. Blank cartridges will not be used by any soldier in the state service, when ordered out for the protection of our citizens, and any state officer allowing the use of blank cartridges for the preservation of the public peace when ordered into service, will at once be dismissed from the state service."
Those were serious times, and serious offenses required serious treatment.
On September 31st, there flashed over the wires the happy news of the capture of Atlanta. Bills were issued calling a meeting of the people in the afternoon. It was held in front of Dr. Clarke's drug store near the northwest corner of the square. A large crowd gathered and listened to addresses of good cheer from George Acheson, J. F. Wilson, W. T. Burgess, C. W. Slagle, D. F. Stubbs and Owen Bromley. There was a renewal of confidence in the outcome of the struggle. A better feeling was created. "Their faith in the stability of the Government," says a contemporary report, "was made stronger, and their hopes of a speedy restoration of the Union were strengthened."
The Women's Soldiers' Aid Society, at the annual meeting on January 7, 1864, named Mrs. Thomas D. Evans president, Mrs. W. H. Jordan vice presi- dent, Mrs. C. W. Slagle treasurer, Mrs. J. H. Hill and Mrs. Reed M. Wilkinson Vol. 1-24
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the purchasing committee, and Mrs. D. Acheson secretary. From its funds were appropriated $100 to the sanitary commission and $62.15 to the "Loyal League" for the relief of soldiers' families.
Early in March, Mrs. M. E. Woods took a shipment of stores, consisting of sixteen boxes, six kegs and one barrel and weighing 2,873 pounds, to Little Rock, Arkansas. Included in this, or perhaps with it, were donations from Brighton and from Mrs. William Long, Mrs. Marsh and Mrs. G. W. Workman. Early in May she took out a second shipment containing eighty-three packages and weighing 11,135 pounds, to Nashville, Tennessee. In this were articles from Brighton, Salina and Glasgow.
A "member of Company D" of the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, in a com- munication dated September 7th and addressed to the editor of the Ledger, stated: "If any of our friends think of sending us a present and are anxious to send the most valuable, an egg, sweet potato, pumpkin or a cabbage-head would be sure to fill the bill." Some days after this, Maj. Harry Jordan, also of this regiment, wrote Mrs. Woods of the prevalence of scurvy in the camp and ap- pealed to her to bring them "vegetables, canned fruits and pickles of every description." It was October 6th when these letters, written from Barancas, Florida, were published. More than a month was employed in the preparation of the stores, amounting to two carloads. It was late in November when Mrs. Woods started with them on their long journey. She went by way of Chicago, when the Northwest Commission generously ordered supplies until the total shipment reached thirty-seven tons. She finally delivered them on December Ioth at Fort Gaines, Alabama, to which place the regiment in the meantime had been transferred.
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