USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 25
USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 25
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It was Abraham Lincoln, our noble, martyred President, who said at Gettysburg, "The world will not long remember what we may say here, but they can never forget what we have done here." And it is a fitting thing that the custom of observance of May 30, of last year, as Decoration Day, has been established; a day when we can strew with flowers the graves of those who sleep in our cemeteries, and revive the memories of those who sleep in
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
distant or unknown graves, holding the names of them all in grateful recollection, and rendering more precious the heritage they have transmitted to us and to our children.
The meeting was called to order, and Capt. John H. Simpson made chairman. This distinction was paid the aged gentleman because of his efficiency in commanding and his co-operation with the first militia company ever organized in Decorah.
Capt. John H. Simpson was born in Ganston, England, March 22, 1796, and died at Decorah, July 2, 1869. He had been a mem- ber of the Royal Life Guards (Body Guard of the King) and as one of the battalion, was on his way to the field when the battle of Waterloo was fought. In 1828 he came to America and set- tled in New York City. He came to Decorah in 1850, and here for thirteen years he lived an honest, blameless life. He was elected Captain of the Decorah Guards on the formation of the company in 1859.
There are men yet living in Winneshiek County who remem- ber the memorable meeting over which he presided, and how his patriotism gave vent, in the greatest effort of his life, in a patri- otic speech that sent the blood tingling through the veins of every listener. In this speech he tendered the remainder of his life for the defense of his country, though the snows of 65 winters rested on his brow. He was not accepted. Younger men, with stronger sinews and harder muscles, volunteered their ser- vices.
DECORAH GUARDS.
But one week intervened before there was a reorganization of the Decorah Guards, and men better fitted for the hardships of a soldier's life superceded the members of the original company. The Decorah Guards, as they originally were, underwent a com- plete transformation, only three of the old company being re- tained in the ranks of the new organization. The old officers re- signed, and new ones were elected. This was the first company of men in Winneshiek County to enlist in defence of the stars and stripes. They were men in the full vigor of life, men of sterling worth, the very flower of our young county, as the fol- lowing summary of the company indicates: The oldest men in the company (two of them) were aged 36, one 34, one 32, one 31, one 30, one 29, two 28, three 27, three 26, six 25, eight 24, sev- en 23, ten 22, nine 21, nine 20, eleven 19, ten 18, making a total of officers and men of 85, with an average of 22 years, 8 months and 22 days.
The company was known as the Decorah Guards, until mus- tered into the service; then they assumed the name of Company D, Third Regiment of Iowa Volunteers. The officers of the new company were:
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
Captain-G. R. Willett.
First Lieutenant-Emilius I. Weiser.
Second Lieutenant-Ole A. Anderson. Orderly Sergeant-Geo. Mckay. Second Sergeant-A. H. McMurtrie.
Third Sergeant-C. W. Burdick. Fourth Sergeant-Robert Ray. First Corporal-E. M. Farnsworth.
Second Corporal-Milton Ross. Third Corporal-Charles. P. Brown.
Fourth Corporal-Joseph S. Neff.
This company was enrolled in Winneshiek County, and ordered into quarters by the Governor of the State, May 21, 1861. The company left Decorah for Keokuk, their rendezvous, May 28, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service June 10, 1861. The date of the company's departure from Decorah for the scenes of war will remain a memorable one in the recollection of the hundreds of citizens who met on Court House Square to bid the boys a last tarwell. The ladies had prepared a beautiful flag, which was presented to the company by Miss Carrie McNair, whom I feel compelled to more than casually mention; and in or- der to do so I shall be obliged to digress from the main subject.
Carrie McNair was born in Livingston County, N. Y., about the year 1832. She came to Decorah in the year 1860, at that period in our national existence when the very atmosphere was deadened' with treasonable imprecations against the Union, and when the cloud of rebellion had so spread its mammoth proportions as to nearly obscure the bright sunlight of freedom. Being a woman of strong emotional nature, a lover of liberty and union, she early indentified herself with the Union side of the controversy that then threatened a separation of states; consequently, out of respect and appreciation of her noble nature, and her sympathy with the Union, she was chosen, of all other women, better fitted to make the presentation. In 1862, following the many bloody battles, and not infrequent disastrous engagements, Miss McNair felt that there was need of her services in the crowded hospitals. With a heartfelt desire to render the Union any services in her power, and an anxiety and willingness to alleviate the sufferings of brave men who had fallen wounded in their country's cause, she became a nurse in a soldiers' hospital at St. Louis. She served in this capacity until the end of the war, and furnished aid and comfort to thousands of poor unfortunates.
Following the presentation of the flag, there was a presentation of Bibles and Testaments. The scene was such as never had oc- cured before, and was solemn, impressive and trying.
The Company, in vehicles, pursued their course to McGregor, and from thence to Keokuk, and from here, soon after, they were transported to scenes of active service, in Missouri.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
The first hard fought battle that the Company engaged in was at Blue Mills, September 7, 1861, although previous to this they had been engaged in many hotly contested skirmishes. In the battle of Blue Mills the Unionists were driven back.
Wm. B. Miller, of Company D, was killed in this engagement and Capt. Willett, Second Lieut. Ole Anderson, and private Wm. B. Heckert, was seriously wounded. Capt. Willet's wound occa- sioned his resignation, and the promotion of Lieut. E. I. Weiser to the captaincy of the Company.
Lieut Anderson fell, wounded in the temple, and was left on the field for dead. Company D having been obliged to retreat, he fell into the enemy's hands, His body was stripped of all its clothing but its pants, and he was robbed of everything by the rebels. The next day after the battle the rebels were obliged to retreat, and then Company D reclaimed his body. Lieut. An- derson lay unconcious three weeks, and it was a question for a long time afterwards whether he would survive or not. He en- tered the army a perfect athlete, and a perfect man, physicially and mentally, and to-day, from the effect of that wound, incurred at the cost of duty and bravery, he is a mere wreck of his former self. As an officer he was efficient and brave to a fault.
The battle of Shiloh, fought on the 6th and 7th of April, 1862, was the next great conflict in which Company D participated. Un- der the hottest fire and amid the most trying scenes, Company D behaved itself with coolness and bravery. After passing through that fiery ordeal, a summary of the loss it sustained showed the following: Killed-Edward Knapp, Hans H. Stenson, and Sam- uel D. Smith. Wounded-Capt. E. I. Weiser, Corp. J. H. Farber, Geo. H. Culver, Jas. S. Daskam, Hans Gulbrandson, Thos. Heath, Peter B. Hulverson, Knudt Knudson, Matthew Kellogg, Gilbert Knudson, Henry H. Sheldso, Geo. H. Kelley, John Jas. Fisher, Hiram S. Daskam.
The battle of Hatchie, fought on the 5th of October, was the scene of the next hotly contested engagement in which Company D took an active part.
The company lost the following: Wounded-Capt. E. I. Weiser, Corp. C. C. Watson, Geo. Culver, Martin E. Oleson (mor- tally), and Martin Pepper.
In the battle of Hatchie the second Captain of Company D was made incapable for active service by a rebel bullet.
Captain E. I. Weiser was born in York, Pa., April 10, 1835, and emigrated from the place of his nativity to Decorah in 1856. Being possessed with a warm heart and a genial nature, and a patriotic love of country, the threats of war against the Union aroused his impulsive nature to a desire to make any sacrifice- hardship, suffering, even life itself-in his country's cause. As a result, when the first cry of a distressed country was heard, call- ing on her sons for protection against the assaults of traitors,
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
Capt. E. I. Weiser was the first and foremost of her patriots in Winneshiek County to respond. Capt. E. I. Weiser was the first man to enlist from Winneshiek County in his country's service in the late civil war. He enlisted as a high private in Company D, and was elected first Lieutenant at the first election held by the company.
Capt. E. I. Weiser participated in many warm skirmishes and two hard-fought battles. He was wounded at Shiloh; also at Hatchie, on the 5th of October, 1862. The wound he received at Hatchie disabled him from further active military service during the war. Eight months he was detained in the hospital by his wound, and seven of these eight months he was compelled to lie in one position-on his back. He was with his company one week while it was at Memphis. While here the boys of Company D presented him with a silver pitcher, as a mark of their regard and the appreciation they had for him as a soldier and com- mander. Capt. Weiser was brave, cool, efficient, and possessed all the noble attributes requisite in a successful commander. His physical disability is a glorious certificate of his bravery.
Company D next went to Memphis where . it remained six months, and from thence to Vicksburg. They were engaged in the siege of Vicksburg up to the date of its surrender. Vicksburg surrendered July 4, 1863. The white flag was raised on every fort at 9 A. M. on the 3d. The rebels sent out a flag of truce, and wished to surrender on conditions. Gen. Grant sent back word that nothing but an unconditional surrender would be accepted. On the 3d, when the white flags were hoisted, all firing ceased. The rebels came outside of-their works and held a sociable with our boys. On the 4th of July, at 10 A. M., the rebels marched outside of their works, were drawn up in a line, and stacked their arms, and promptly at 11 A. M. the stars and stripes proudly floated over the rebel works.
In this siege, on the 26th of June, Thomas Kelly, of Company D, was mortally wounded. He lived about a week, having won, in dying, the honor of being the bravest among the brave.
The Third regiment received orders on the 5th to take up their line of march for Black River, to look after Johns- ton, who, with a large force had been prowling in the rear. On the 12th of July, 1863, about 225 men of the Third Iowa, among which number were many of Company D, made an assault on rebel works, behind which were ensconsed about 10,000 of Johnston's men. The result of the assaultiwas a whirlwind of death. In the first volley fired by the enemy 125 out of the original 225 were almost instantly mowed down. There were about 800 men engaged, but 225 who ventured right into the jaws of this fiery hell. The commander in charge was immediate- ly relieved of command.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
On the 7th of July Johnston evacuated Jackson, the scene of the last engagement, and here, in rebel hospitals, were found the wounded who had survived the disastrous charge of the 12th inst. Among the number was Lieut McMurtrie, who had both legs broken by rebel shots. His right leg had been wounded with a piece of shell, and was so badly shattered that amputation was necessary. The left leg had been broken by a minie ball.
It was found necessary, on the 21st of July, to remove the wounded to Vicksburg. The journey had to be made in ambu- lances. Lieutenant McMurtrie was among the unfortunates that had to submit to the removal. Words cannot express the suffering this trip entailed upon him in his weakened condi- tution.
On the 23d he was placed on a hospital boat to be sent north, but died before the boat left the wharf, at 2 p. m., July 25, 1863.
Lieut. McMurtrie was born at Homer, Michigan, June 30, 1837. He came to Iowa in 1856. He was promoted First Lieutenant of Company D, May 21, 1862.
Lieut. McMurtrie was endowed with a great moral character, which lost none of its noble attributes by his army career. He died a brave soldier, lamented by his comrades in arms and all who knew him.
C. W. Burdick was promoted First Lieutenant, to fill the va- cancy caused by Lieut. McMurtrie's death, which post of duty he held from that time until his three years enlistment had expired. At this time Lieut. Burdick was the only commissioned officer in the company. During three years' service, Lieut. Burdick was off duty but twelve days. He took an active part in every skirmish and battle in which his company was engaged, and was never touched by an enemy's fire. Few men, and I doubt if any, in Iowa can show a better record than this.
The engagement at Jackson was the last of any note in which Company D took an active part. The time of enlistment of Com- pany D expired on the 10th of June, 1864. The Company was stationed at Kingston, Georgia. All that did not re-enlist, started home to be mustered out of the service. Many of the boys re- mained. At the memorable battle of Atlanta, fought July 22d, the Third Iowa literally fought itself to death.
The boys of the Third and Company D went into this battle with that Spartan valor that had characterized them, individually and collectively, in many a hard fought engagement. As the battle grew raging hot and desperate, a handful of our undaunted men, among whom were a remnant of Company D, gathered amidst the pelting shower of shot and shell, and there around our flag and banner they stood its guard in the most perilous mom- ents. The color-bearer, the bravest of the brave, relinquished his hold by death alone. Still the mass stood there fighting madly
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
for its defence. Their number fast decreasing by death, their hopes began to fail, and as they surrendered themselves to the enemy, they tore the emblem of our nationality, and regimental designation, into pieces and into shreds, which concealed, they proudly brought back to us, untouched and unsoiled by impious and traitorous hands.
COMPANY H-"IOWA GREY HOUNDS."
Company H, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, was organized at Decorah, in the months of August and September, 1861, and was mustered into service at Dubuque, on the 24th of September, the same year.
After remaining at Camp Union, Dubuque, until the middle of October, the Regiment was sent to St. Louis, and went into camp at Benton Barracks. A few weeks were passed in the usual rou- tine of camp duty, when the regiment was ordered to Pacific City, Missouri, and passed some little time in guarding railroads and arresting guerillas. During this time the regiment was perfecting its discipline; and the diseases incidental to the climate and season, joined to the hardships of camp life, were thinning the ranks of all men who were deficient in physical vigor.
When the expedition against Price was organized, the Ninth was ordered to Rolla, Mo., and after a week spent in camp at that place, started on the march for Springfield. The march was made in winter, and the crossing of the Gasconade, the roads knee-deep in mud, and the cold, inclement weather tested the endurance of the men, and when the regiment was placed in the advance, after the capture of Springfield, it earned its title, "The Iowa Grey- hounds," by marching 135 miles in four days in pursuit of Price. Company H received its "baptism of fire" at Pea Ridge, and the day before the fight marched forty miles on a half-pint of corn- meal to the man. It mustered fifty-two men when the fight opened; twenty-two were unwounded at the close of the struggle.
On that field the boys, most of them beardless, who six inonths before were laboring on farms and in workshops, showed them- selves able to defeat the practiced riflemen of Missouri and Arkan- sas, the Rangers of Texas, and the trained regiments of Louisiana.
The march across Arkansas, in the summer of 1862, followed the conflict at Pea Ridge. Some time was passed in camp Helena, and in December the regiment took part in the first attack on Vicksburg. The expedition up the dark Yazoo and its unfortu- nate results, were amply avenged at Arkansas Post, January 10, 1863.
In all the operations that culminated in the capture of Vicks- burg the Ninth was actively engaged-from digging in the canal to storming rifle-pits and batteries. And in the charge on the 22d of May. Company H lost eighteen men killed and wounded out of a total twenty-six men in action, and of these nine were
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
killed on the field or mortally wounded. From Vicksburg to Jack- son, thence back to Vicksburg, up the river to Memphis, thence to Tuscumbia, where a severe conflict took place, then up the sides of Lookout Mountain, under the lead of Osterhaus, followed by a rapid pursuit of the routed foes, and the fight at Ringgold, is a brief outline of the work Company H took part in during 1863. The majority of the company re-enlisted as veterans, and after their return from furlough the boys found themselves a part of the mighty host Sherman was about to lead "to the sea."
For seventy days from the opening of this memorable campaign, members of Company H who participated in the operations, were constantly under fire, with perhaps slight intermission prior to the crossing of the Chattahoochee. The fights at Resaca, New Hope Church, Burnt Hickory and Kenesaw Mountain, showed the valor and discipline of the Ninth. On the 22d of July the Ninth was one of the Iowa regiments that, under the eye of Sherman, recaptured the battery of DeGress, and drove the rebels, at the bayonets' point, from the entrenched line they had wrested from the loyalists. At Ezra's Church, on the 28th of July, and at Jonesboro, where the fate of Atlanta was decided, the boys of Company H were actively engaged.
After the capture of Atlanta and the pursuit of Hood, who was left to the "tender mercies" of Thomas, the boys followed Sher- man to the sea, and Company H furnished its full quota of able and accomplished "bummers." From Savannah the company marched through the Carolinas, taking part in any "little un- pleasantness" that came in the way, and actively participating in the closing fight at Bentonville. After resting a few days at Raleigh, the regiment marched to Washington and took part in the "Grand Review," and was shortly after mustered out of the service at Louisville, Ky.
That Company H did its whole duty, the following figures, ta- ken from the Adjutant General's Report, prove:
Company H, 9th Iowa-Total killed and wounded. 53
Total killed and died of wounds. 19
Company D, Sd Iowa-Total killed and wounded. 33
Total killed and died of wounds. 9
Company G, 12th Iowa-Total killed and wounded. 9 Total killed and died of wounds. 4
Company E, 38th Iowa-Total killed and wounded. 0
Company K, 38th Iowa-Total killed and wounded. 1 Total killed and died of wounds 1
Company D, 38th Iowa-Total killed and wounded. 1
Total killed and died of wounds 1
The above table shows the extent of the loss sustained by Com- pany H in battle, as compared with the reported losses of the other companies organized in this county from the same cause. I do not think the above figures do full justice to Companies E, K
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
and D. Thirty-Eighth Iowa, for no regiment organized in the country suffered to such an extent by disease. Stationed in local- ities where to breathe the air was to inhale death, the boys of Com- pany E, D and K performed their allotted duty, sustained by naught save the feeling of patriotism, and faced death uncheered by "the shout of victory, the rapture of the strife."
Died of disease: Company D, 3d Iowa, 10: Company H, 9th Towa, 15: Company G. 12th lowa, 17; Company E, 38th Iowa, 34: Company D. 38th lowa. 37; Company K, 38th lowa. 37.
Company H. at the time it was mustered in, was commanded by M. A. Moore, who achieved no particular distinction. He re- signed in the spring of 1863, and was succeeded by O. M. Bliss, who enlisted as a private and secured promotion by meritorious services. Capt. Bliss was as true a soldier as ever drew a sword. Brave, earnest and patriotie, he "dared to lead where any dared to follow." After facing death on twenty fields he died from in- juries received by a fall from his horse while acting as Major, af- ter the capture of Atlanta. J. H. Phillips succeeded to the cap- tainey, and commanded the company until its service was ended.
In writing this brief sketch of the career of Company H, em- bracing a period of nearly four years, and services performed in eight States, from the Ozark Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, a hundred incidents and memories crowd on the mind that space will not permit me to relate. Nearly sixteen years have elapsed since "we took the oath of muster with right hand raised to heav- en," and in looking back, the boys of Company H will instinctive- ly date their memory of army life from the bitter, persistent struggle in the wild ravines of the Ozark, where their first blood was shed. And during all subsequent campaigning. Pea Ridge was the standard whereby to measure the severity of the conflict. And the boys of the Ninth will ever remember, with proud grati- fication. the tribute their valor received from the ladies of Boston- a stand of colors emblazoned with the name of their fiercest battle.
COMPANY G. TWELFTH IOWA.
The third company raised in the county was one that became Company G, Twelfth Iowa. It was enrolled at Decorah in Sep- tember, 1861. ordered into quarters at Dubuque. September 30, and mustered into the United States service November 5, 1861. It was officered as follows:
Captain-C. C. Tupper.
First Lieutenant-L. D. Townsley.
Second Lieutenant-J. F. Nickerson.
Orderly Sergeant-J. E. Simpson.
The company became a portion of the regiment from the date of its muster in, and from that time on until disbanded always acted well its part. Company G was noted in its regiment for its
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
excellent moral status and soldierly efficiency. It saw hard ser- vice, and took an active part in the following hotly-contected bat- tles: Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Corinth, Jackson, Vicksburg, Jackson siege and capture, Brandon, Tupelo, Nashville, and Brentwood Hill. Besides these battles, the company did excellent service as skirmishers. The company early met with a severe loss in the death of its first captain, C. C. Tupper.
Captain C. C. Tupper was born at Auburn, New York, Decem- ber 24, 1832, and came to Decorah in May, 1857. He had re- ceived a liberal education, and prior to taking a /residence in Iowa had served as agent of the Associated Press and local manager of the telegraph offices at Buffalo and St. Louis. He was admitted to the bar soon after his arrival, but for a brief time edited the De- corah Journal, a Democratic newspaper. When the war broke out he took an active and intensely patriotic interest in every movement. Military life was always attractive to him, and he was unusually well versed in the manual of arms. He assisted in organizing the two companies from Winneshiek County that found place in the Third and Ninth regiments, and helped pre- pare them for the field. When it became evident that a third company must be drawn from the county, all eyes turned toward Captain Tupper to take its lead. Although of a frail constitution, and physically unfitted for the severe trials of army life, his patri- otism overrode all prudence, and he consented. The company was rapidly recruited, and assigned to the Twelfth Regiment of lowa Volunteers. But Capt. Tupper's association with the com- pany was only a brief one. He was idolized by his men, beloved by all his associate officers, and thoroughly respected by his super- iors. But these could not protect and defend him from disease and death. While going from Dubuque to St. Louis with the regiment he caught a severe cold, and in six weeks died at Benton Barracks, in St. Louis, a victim of capilliary bronchitis. In his death the terrible evils of war was first brought directly home to the community of which he had been a member. He had been the leader in the best social circles, the active abettor of every public enterprise, and his death carried sadness and mourning to almost every household in the county. Of friends who mourned his death there were scores upon scores; of enemies, none.
The sad event narrated above necessitated the promotion of Lieut. L. D. Townsley to the captaincy of the company, which office he held until mustered out of the service, November 25, 1864. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, in which engagement he sustained a severe wound in the left arm, and suf- fered with the rest of his brother officers the hardships of prison life. After his exchange he was often employed in important de- tached duties, which he always filled with credit to himself and country. He served out his entire term of service, and is now re- siding in Chicago.
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