USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. : a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Page County, constitution of the state of Iowa, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 52
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
were allowed to remain in quiet during the remainder of the rebellion. The rebels by this time had been given to understand that the citizens of the north were determined that the fighting should all take place on southern soil, and consequently they did not again attempt to invade the state. Had not the citizens of Page and adjoining counties taken the steps they did in this matter when the war first broke out, they would doubtless have been caused a great deal of trouble, particularly so during the first eighteen months of the rebellion. That the First regiment of Iowa volun- teer militia did good service, and rendered efficient aid towards keeping those in rebellion on their own territory cannot now be doubted. In this, as did she in the active service, Page county took a prominent part in fur- nishing men and aid. At every rumor of a supposed march by the rebels upon her border, the farmer left his plow, the merchant his store, the me- chanic his workshop, and all marched forth to repel the foe, in all of which undertakings they were successful: so successful, in fact, that after several attempts to cross the line and invade the state had been made by the rebels, in which undertaking they were each time foiled, they were well enough satisfied to withdraw further south, and let the border, during the remain- der of the war, severely alone, much to the satisfaction of not only the citi- zens of Page county but all southern Iowa as well.
QUERTIL
NE FRITE
War History of Page County.
PAGE COUNTY WAR RECORD.
When the war was forced upon the country the people were pursuing the even tenor of their ways, doing whatever their hands found to do; working the mines, making farms, or cultivating those already made, erecting homes, founding cities and towns, building shops and manufac- tories; in short the country was alive with industry and hopes for the fu- ture. The people were just recovering from the depression and losses incident to the financial panic of 1857. The future looked bright and promising, and the industrious and patriotic sons and daughters of the free states were buoyant with hope-looking forward to the perfecting of new plans to ensure comfort and competence in their declining years. They little heeded the mutterings and threatenings of treason's children in the slave states of the south. True sons and descendants of the heroes of the " times that tried men's souls"-the struggle for American Inde- pendence-they never dreamed that there was even one so base as to dare attempt the destruction of the Union of their fathers-a government bap- tized with the best blood the world ever knew. While immediately sur- rounded with peace and tranquility, they paid but little attention to the rumored plots and plans of those who lived and grew rich from the sweat and toil, blood and flesh, of others; aye, even trafficked in the offspring of their own loins. Nevertheless, the war came with all its attendant hor- rors. April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter, at Charleston, South Carolina, Ma- jor Anderson, U. S. A., commandant, was fired upon by rebels in arms. Although basest treason, this first act in the bloody reality that followed. was looked upon as a mere bravado of a few hot-heads-the act of a few fire-eaters whose sectional bias and freedom hatred were craxed by the excessive indulgence in intoxicating potations. When a day later the news was borne along the telegraph wires that Major Anderson had been forced to surrender to what had at first been regarded as a drunken mob, the patriotic people of the north were startled from their dreams of the
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
future-from undertakings half complete-and made to realize that be- hind that mob there was a dark, deep and well organized plan to destroy the government, and rend the union in twain, and out of its ruins erect a slave oligarchy, wherein no one would dare question their rights to hold in bondage the sons and daughters of men whose skins were black, or who, perchance, through practices of lustful natures, were half or quarter removed from the color God for his own purpose had given them.
It began to look as if there would not be men enough in all the free states to crush out and subdue the monstrous war traitors had inaugur- ated. But to every call of either men or money there was a willing and ready response; and it is a boast of the people that had the supply of men fallen short, there were women brave enough, daring enough, patriotic enough, to have offered themselves as sacrifices on their country's altar. Such were the impulses, motives and actions of the patriotic men of the north, among whom the men of Page county bore an honorable part.
A meeting of the citizens of the county to take steps towards defend- ing themselves from raiding bands, who were liable at any time to enter the county from Missouri, was held in Clarinda, on the 4th of May, 1861. Dr. A. H. East was called to the chair and J. Butler chosen secretary. After transacting some preliminary business the meeting adjourned to meet the following Tuesday, when a company was formed and officers elected. J. Cramer was chosen captain; R. F. Connor first lieutenant; George Baker, second lieutenant. The company consisted of twenty- seven persons and was organized merely for home protection.
On the 4th of May, a meeting was also held at Amity, George McCul- lough was called to the chair and W. R. Laughlin acted as secretary. On a call being made for persons to join the company, 39 men gave their names. At this meeting the following preamble and resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, In view of the existing state of the country we believe it wise for all able bodied men to organize themselves into military compa- nies; therefore,
Resolved, That we, citizens of Amity, and vicinity, without distinction of party, recommend the organization of a military company, not for ag- gression, but for the purpose of protecting ourselves and our country.
A meeting of the citizens of Harlan township was held at the Olive Branch school house, on Saturday, April 11, 1861, and a company of 41 men was organized. John McCormick was chosen captain; John Cas- key first lieutenant, and Thomas Whitehill, second lieutenant.
The citizens of Amity and Buchanan townships held a war meeting at Braddyville, on the 8th of May, 1861, at which time a company was organized, officered as follows: Captain, Joseph Smith; first lieutenant N. C. Martin; second lieutenant, J. H. Bangs.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
These companies were all organized for home protection, and none too soon, as the following, taken from the files of the Page County Herald, of May 24, 1861, will attest:
" Intelligence reached us yesterday of a contemplated attack upon Am- ity, and in response to their call for assistence, Captain Bowen, of the Cla- rinda Guards, marched his company to the threatened place. Captain McCormick, of the Harlan Blues, also marched down with his company, as did Captain Smith, with his company. The news of an attack reached Amity through a union man, resident in Missouri, and his information was such that there can be no doubt but the hell-hounds were congregating at Graves', six miles below Amity, for the purpose of making an attack upon the town, but the presence of 300 armed and drilled men may have de- terred them from their purpose for the present, but there is no doubt but an attack is contemplated and will be made as soon as a suitable oppor- tunity presents."
The first company mustered into the United States service from this county was Capt. Bowen's. It departed from Clarinda on the morning of Tuesday, June 19, 1861. It had been previously announced that they would start on that day, and the announcement brought hundreds together to witness their departure, and to bid them God speed. The ladies of Clarinda prepared a beautiful flag and presented it to the company just before their departure, and so determined were they that nothing should enter into its composition that had been produced hy traitor hands, they made it wholly from woolen fabricks, of the very best quality, furnished by Judge Wilson, and sewed with linen thread. On behalf of the Page County Bible Society, Mr. Loranz presented each member of the com- pany with a pocket edition of the New Testament. Mrs. N. B. Moore, in presenting the flag to the company, made the following remarks:
Gentlemen :- We meet to-day as many, if not all of us, never met be- fore; you are about to depart from your homes, your firesides, your asso- ciations; to bid adieu to wife, mother, father, sister, brother and friend, and to take up your line of march as soldiers for the field of action; having been stimulated to rush to the rescue of our country to crush treason and rebellion, which, under its fit emblem, the serpent, seeks to entwine itself about the institutions of our country and crush those principles which are peculiar to, and endeared by every American. Stimulated by your love of freedom, your attachment to our country and a desire to perpetuate her institutions, to protect the homes of the free and to preserve inviolable the precious boon of liberty purchased by our forefathers' blood, and by them handed down to us. We come to witness that departure and to bid you adieu. We come with emotions of pride and gratitude that in our midst are those who are ready and have, at the call of those in authority, taken the solemn oath to maintain this heaven-favored government; to enter the service of
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
the United States, and are willing to sacrifice your lives for the defense and maintenance of liberty and the overthrow of tyranny. But with these emotions are mingled those of sympathy and solemnity. In your toilsome marches, your exposures, the sacrifices you make of the pleasures and enjoyments of home, your sufferings upon the battle field, wounded, sick, dying, cast your mind's eye back to Clarinda and remember you have our warmest sympathy, the affection of our hearts, and our prayers. A number of you, Capt. Bowen, Lieutenants Burns and Scott, leave wives, beloved, and children dear, behind; you all have affectionate friends. We may not, in all probability, ever all meet again. The exposures incident to a soldier's life, the traitor's rifle, bayonet or sword, may cause the wind- ing sheet to be thrown about you and your bodies be given back to mother earth.
"It is solemn to think that on this side of vast eternity we may never all meet again; and yet there is no death so honorable, so glorious, as his who falls battling for liberty. In the days of the revolution the wife said to the husband, the mother to the son, the sister to the brother, go pur- chase for us liberty, even if it costs you your heart's blood. The women of that day battled alongside of husbands and sons for the driving back of the oppressors' rod and to gain freedom from tyranny. They con- quered. Our forefathers bought it, but not until their blood had saturated the American soil and their bones were scattered through its villages and over its hill-tops. We, their offspring, have been happy in the enjoyment of the land of the free and the home of the brave. But now ambitious, selfish traitors have raised up to destroy this glorious fabric, our govern- ment; to tear down the emblem of our liberty, the star spangled banner, and to supplant it with the black flag of treason and rebellion. And we, as wives, mothers, sisters say, go, protect the flag that has so long waived over us, that we have compelled all nations on the globe to honor and re- spect. Our pride, the pride of our nation. Avenge its wrongs; let our motto be, "death to him who insults it." And now, gentlemen, on behalf of the ladies of Clarinda, as a token of their respect, confidence and hope in you, that you will not disgrace yourselves, your friends or your country, I present to you, through your captain, this flag, prepared by our hands, with this injunction: that you never permit its insults to go unpunished; that you never suffer it to be trailed in the dust, or trampled under foot by a traitor, or be borne by a coward.
" Take this banner, and beneath The war cloud's encircling wreath Guard it till our country's free- Guard it, God will prosper thee. In the dark and trying hour, In the breaking forth of power, In the rush of steeds and men, Trust Him, He will shield thee then.
J
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
"Take this banner, and if ere Thou should'st press a soldier's bier, And the muffled drum should beat To the tread of mournful feet, Then this crimson flag shall be, Martial cloak and shroud for thee."
Capt. Bowen, on the part of the company, received the flag with the following remarks:
" Ladies :- With pleasure we receive from you this beautiful banner, as a token of your kindly feelings for us and your unfaltering interest in the welfare of the best and greatest government on earth. Ambitious traitors have raised their hands to destroy this sacred legacy of our forefathers, to blot from the record of nations the name of this fair fabric and in its stead place one which every sentiment of freedom abhors; the success of which would extinguish every spark of liberty throughout the world, and blast the hopes of thousands everywhere where sighs for freedom are wafted to us on every breeze. This must not, shall not be. Already the kindled fires of patriotism are spreading far and wide and will rush on into one general conflagration until every traitor and every vestige of treason shall be laid low. Our country calls; we go; some of us may never return. Wherever we go this emblem of liberty shall float over us, and if it be our fate to die upon the sanguinary field, our latest sigh shall be that the fair hands that formed this banner for us could not have the opportunity of smoothing our parting to the eternal world.
" The Bibles presented to us by our friend Loranz, on behalf of the Page County Bible Society, will be preserved as an evidence of his interest in our eternal as well as temporal welfare. From their pages may each of us endeavor to learn to pass safely through the dark shadows of the grave into the eternal regions of light beyond.
" For the many kindnesses shown us and the material aid given us by our friends, we can only give our earnest thanks. Farewell."
At the conclusion of his remarks three hearty cheers were given for the volunteers, when they formed and marched around the public square, halting opposite the Delevan House. At this place most of the crowd sought the opportunity of bidding a kind adieu, when those emotions which emanate from the bravest hearts began to manifest themselves. Most of the volunteers being young men, it was probably the severest trial of their lives to bid farewell to their friends, and go forth to meet a traitor foe. But hard as it was no one seemed for a moment to hesitate between the pleasures of home and friends, and their duty to their country. All hearts were moved at their departure, and. scarcely one but was moved with feelings of both pleasure and pain; pleasure, that among the thousands of gallant freemen who had tendered the governor of Iowa their services and sought anxiously for position in the army of the nation,
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
those from Page county were the most favored; and pained to think so many genial spirits were compelled to depart, some never to return. Eight teams had been kindly offered to take them to Omaha, the company having decided to enter a Nebraska regiment, so at the start they were not put to as severe a trial as ordinarily falls to a soldier's lot.
The following are the names of the officers and men who composed the company :
Captain-T. M. Bowen.
First Lieutenant-G. W. Burns.
Second Lieutenant-Alex. Scott.
Orderly Sergeant-John P. Murphy
PRIVATES.
W. M. Alexander, J. E. Arnold,
D. Alexander, R. H. Blair,
J. Blair, James Brown,
W. L. Jacox,
Henry Bigel,
C. A. Birum,
N. D. Kelley, Geo. Middaugh, Jerry McCool,
A. Brown, Samuel Buck,
W. McClelland,
Robert McKissick,
Henry Chandler, W. I. Cooper, D. Clevinger,
G. W. McMillan, Ruel Miller,
J. McCormick, Silas Owen,
J. W. Edwards,
Wm. B. Folsom,
John W. Owen,
Dayton F. Fairchild,
Payton Parker,
D. Goodman, Joseph Richey, B. S. Rawlings, J. S. Salsbury, W. P. Swiggett,
R. W. Polsley, Jacob Roth, F. Smith,
A. Strong,
M. L. Storrs,
J. W. Scholes,
E. A. Swatman,
E. W. Squires, Thomas K. Tippin,
Joseph Thomas, P. R. Wagner,
Smith P. Tuttle.
One month after the first company left Page county, another had been recruited and was ready for the service. This, like the former company
A. Voluntine, T. Helmick, Joseph Hill, William Irving,
M. C. Johnson,
W. L. Bayley,
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
also entered the First Nebraska infantry. This company was officered as follows.
Captain-Jacob Butler.
First Lieutenant-Henry Ribble.
Second Lieutenant-F. L. Cramer.
PRIVATES.
John W. Bashford,
J. Ewing,
W. J. Woods,
Robert Ewing,
Jasper Die,
J. Selman,
T. J. Swingle,
Geo. Lyons, W. Brown,
John Rhodes,
Richard Boatman,
S. A. Musser,
Jacob Weaver, .
J. W. Skinner,
T. M. Wray,
Benson Thompson, Eugene O. Storrs,
George W. Newell,
Isaac N. Wray,
W. C. Floyd,
John Gill, J. W. Glover,
J. Gratzbuck,
J. S. Ware,
W. J. Jones,
F. M. Cabble,
W. W. Larimer,
B. F. Shepherd,
Isaac Lewis,
Samuel Mardis,
Thomas B. Hatch,
Frank Huffner,
J. Howard,
F. A. McDonald,
John Miles, Samuel Fountain, B. F. Bates,
Samuel Lutes,
Samuel Will,
Wm. King,
William Stallard,
Samuel Guthrie,
T. A. Braddy, J. C. Ware,
Robert McElroy,
W. G. Moferty,
John Cane, E. Tuthill,
W. H. Morton, Wm. Abbott, Joseph Goddard,
H. H. Lindall, John J. Wray,
James Stephenson,
Edwin Royster,
J. W. Pangburn, J. H. Bangs,
Harvey Wray, G. W. Adams.
The regiment to which these companies were attached, the First Ne- braska infantry, was ordered south about the middle of August, 1861, and after participating in Fremont's Missouri campaign, were ordered further
A. C. Martin,
E. A. Smith,
David G. Gray,
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
south, and took part in the battle of Fort Donelson, that being their first lively engagement. These companies also participated in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, and in both engagements acquitted themselves in such a manner as to call forth plaudits, and thus winning the admiration of all. In November, 1863, after the regiment veteranized, it was changed to the First Nebraska cavalry, in which position it served during the remainder of the war.
The next company, or at least a portion of it, recruited in this county, was for the Fourth Iowa cavalry. The members of the company from Page county were recruited by Rev. J. M. Rush, who was second lieu- tenant of the company. At the time he entered the service he had charge of the Methodist church on the Hawleyville circuit. Both of the other officers, Captain Rector and Lieutenant Guyle, of Fremont county, were also Methodist ministers.
The latter part of August, 1861, a company was recruited for the Fourth Iowa infantry. Joseph Cramer was captain. January 22, 1862, the Fourth joined the army of the southwest, under General Curtis, and for thirty months thereafter was in continuous active service. It never fell to its lot to do post duty. It took an active part at Pea Ridge, where General Curtis declared it "won immortal honors." At this battle, Sec- ond Lieutenant James T. Chittenden, of company K, the company re- cruited from Page county, was mortally wounded in the breast, and died from the effects of the same in the hospital at Cassville, Missouri, about the first of May, 1863. The record of this regiment in its march against Price to Springfield, and to Ozark Mountains; to Batesville, and across Arkansas to Helena; thence to Chickasaw Bayou, and up Arkansas river to Arkansas Post; from Milliken's Bend round through Grand Gulf and Jackson to the rear of Vicksburg, to Memphis; thence across the country to Chattanooga, and with Sherman against Atlanta, is one of achieve- ments unsurpassed for brilliancy and bravery. It was engaged on more than thirty battle-fields; met the enemy in eight different rebel states, and was never repulsed. It fought at Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkan- sas Post, Jackson, Vicksburg, Cherokee Station, Caney Creek, Tuscum- bia, Chattanooga, Look Out Mountain, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Colum- bus, Goldsboro, Atlanta, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain. It planted the first colors on the rocky crest of Mission Ridge. It was present at the grand review at Washington; thence going to Louisville, where it did provost guard duty, until July 25, 1865, when it came to Davenport, and was mus- tered out September 3.
About the time Captain Cramer was recruiting his company, Dr. Rum- baugh, of Hawleyville, was engaged in organizing a cavalry company for a Missouri regiment, and on Saturday, August 24, 1861, the company left Hawleyville for St. Joe, where they joined their regiment. After the bat-
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
tle of Lexington his company was disbanded, and he immediately took steps toward organizing another company, and after organizing the same his company was assigned to the Twenty-fifth Missouri infantry. Dr. Rumbaugh was, a short time afterward, promoted to major of his regi- ment, in which position he served until he was mustered out of the service.
The second day of September, 1861, Captain John M. Young and Lieu- tenant C. A. B. Langdon left Page City with a company of cavalry for Omaha, intending to join a Nebraska regiment, there being no Iowa cav- alry regiment recruiting for the service at the time, and they either had to join a regiment outside of their own state or disband. They remained in Omaha until the latter part of December, 1861, when, pursuant to special order, they were attached to a regiment known as " Curtis' Horse." June 25, 1862, the regiment was assigned to the state of Iowa, and called the Fifth Iowa cavalry. November, 1, 1862, Captain Young was appointed major, and was afterward promoted to colonel. This regiment saw hard service, and at one time it was reduced to thirty horses, so arduous had been their campaign around Atlanta. Concerning an expedition under Major Young, General Elliott, chief of cavalry, under date of November 17, 1863, wrote as follows: "The success of the scout under command of Major Young, shows that he has been energetic, and shows judgment in the management of his commend." He also received the thanks of the major-general, for the brave, energetic, and prudent manner in which the expedition was conducted. Thus it will be observed that it mattered not in what department of the service the Page county soldiers participated, they always acquitted themselves with honor.
The next company to leave the county enlisted in August, 1862, in the Twenty-third Iowa infantry. This was probably the largest company to enlist from Page county during the war, there being no less than 92 enlist- ments from the county in Co. "F" of that regiment. A complete his- tory of this regiment will be found in connection with our history of Iowa regiments.
The latter part of August, 1863, Capt. Burns resigned his- position in the First Nebraska, and came home and immediately commenced recruit- ing a company for the Eighth Iowa cavalry, and on the 30th of Septem- ber the regiment was mustered into the service. On the morning of Oc- tober 17 the Eighth left Camp Roberts for Louisville, Kentucky, where they arrived on the 21st and went into camp. On the 4th of November the regiment commenced its march for Nashville, Tenn., where it arrived on the morning of the 17th. The regiment participated in the battles in and around Atlanta, doing hard and valuable service. Of the two hun- dred and ninety-two enlisted men and twenty-four officers who started on the McCook raid, but twenty men and officers returned to the federal lines, the balance having either been killed, wounded or taken prisoners.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
In summing up the history of the regiment for 1864, its Colonel, J. B. Dorr, took occasion to say: "I may be permiteed to say that it has been about as hard and continuous service as has fallen to the lot of any com- mand in the same time. It has, without including skirmishes, which were many, taken part in fifteen engagements, the causalties amounting to one hundred and sixty-eight, not including over two hundred men and officers taken prisoners."
Page county was also represented in the Twenty-ninth Iowa infantry. Charles B. Shoemaker was mustered into the service as major, Septem- ber 16, 1862, and remained with the regiment until January 7, 1865, when he resigned. There were only fourteen men from Page county in the Twenty-ninth.
The county was also represented in the following regiments : Fourth Missouri Cavalry, First Iowa Cavalry, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry and Eleventh Missouri Cavalry.
The following is, we believe, a complete list of the officers and men who enlisted from Page county during the war of the rebellion, with the date of enlistment, promotion, etc. The date first given being the date of en- listment:
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