USA > Iowa > Roster of Co. I, 6th Iowa Infantry, war of the rebellion > Part 2
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IL.LITERACY AND EDUCATION
There was no illiteracy in the Company. Every member could do the stunt of "readin, writin and rithmetic." They had all attended school two or three months a year and most of them in one of the early National civilizers-the log school house. High Schools and Colleges were unknown to them. But they were all familiar with firearms and could shoot with unerring and deadly effeet.
TEMPERANCE AND THE DRINK HABIT
Whiskey drinking among soldiers was common, though not always to the extent of being drunkards. Whiskey was furnished at times as daily rations. The writer and Tobias Ulrich were the only total abstainers in the company and the writer is still standing in the same thin line. One of the worst drunks in the company is still living and frisky at the good old age of seventy-nine.
MARRIED MEN
This was a company of boy's with only a few married men. Bry - dolf, Jackson and Perkins were the only married men in the company. But you ought to have heard the wedding bells the year following the close of the war!
COWARDICE IN TIME OF BATTLE
'there were some cowards in the company, more common among officers than in the ranks, and whiskey was a great factor in that line. At Jackson, Miss., July 16, Lieutenant Smiley was in com- mand of the company and had been drinking and singing lively until the battle opened when he called for Sergt. Sutherland to take "command as he was completely petered out." Sutherland was killed a few minutes later and Smiley was dismissed and never appeared with the company again. At the Battle of New Hope Church, May 28th, 1864, the writer with H. B. Linton were occupy- ing an advanced picket post, and curiosity led me some distance in front of the picket line until I came in full view of the Rebel fortifications. While watching thus I noticed a large force of men jump over their works and form in line. Iknew what it meant, and yelled at the top of my voire for the boys "to run for their lives as the whole Rebel army was coming." I discharged my rifle at the advancing foe when I too, lit out with fleeting footsteps for our lines. When I arrived I found over available inch of space in the hastily constructed breastworks occupied by lying, kneeling and standing troopers with guns pointing forward. It would have been folly and death to remain on the outside and by walking on the shoulders and bodies of the lying troopers I effected a crossing to the rear. I thus became an involuntary spectator instead of a par- tiripant. There were three or four others standing on the bank with me. We did not have to wait only a few moments when the Rebel force emerged from the underbrush and with terrific yell .. jumped on a six gun battery, (st lowa) some fifty feet in front of the regiment, and while both sides were pulling at the cannons the infantry support consisting of the 6th lowa, 46th Ohio, 100 tu- diana and the 103d Illinois opened fire with deadly effect. At this juncture I heard a loud voice (not from heaven) shouting, "Run.
Captain Clune, you damn cowardly son of bitch." Turning to the rear I saw Captain Chune disappear in the woods, and the voire came from Norval W. MeKay, who was standing by my side. The battle was soon over when Captain Clune returned and shaking his list at MeKay's faco, said; "MeKay, those were harsh words you used to me." And the intrepid MeKay replied: "They were, and they were true." This ended the controversy. MeKay, later, was appointed Sergeant and Clone was promoted to Lieut. Cotonel ot the Regiment. MeKay resides at Wapello, lowa. Chune is dead. He died of yellow fever at Galveston, Texas, two years after the war. llis Farewell Address to the regiment at The close of the war is a master plece of that period. It has but few equals and no superiors, except perhaps, Van Dorn's address before the Court Martial at Holly Springs, Miss.
CASUALTIES IN THE COMPANY 1861-5
Total number of names on the roster 114
Number killed In battle 20
Number dled of disease. 9
Number died lu Rebel Prisons 924
Number deserted. 1
Number discharged for disability ..
20
Discharged at expiration of 3 years 28
Discharged at close of war, 1865. $1
Resigned and cashlered. 5
Total. 114 111
ALL, ACCOUNTED FOR AT WAR CLOSE
KINDLY GAVE A BLACK DIAMOND RATTLER A BITE
After the capture of Jackson, Mississippi, the army returned to Vicksburg for a short rest. Started on the return trip July 23d and marched mainly after night and rested during the day so as to avoid the dust and heat. On the 24th we camped near Queen Hill, after a tedious night march of fourteen imiles, and the com- pany was detailed and sent out on picket duty a mile north of the regular camp. George Jolly, Merritt Jamison and myself were left at a certain point in an open woods for duty. We immedi- ately began operations for cooking some green corn for breakfast. Not far from our post was a pite of poles, some fifteen feet long. evidently intended for fencing. Wo appropriated thom for fuel and soon had a good fire and water boiling. White this was going on Jamison, who had gone a short distance from us shouted: "Come quick with a club, here's the biggest rattle shake you ever sawl" I was on my feet in a moment and scanning the ground for something useful for that purpose, my eyes turned to the fire when I noticed that some of the poles had burned in two in the middle. I grabbed one of these and ran to the resente. [ had no trouble in locating Mr. Rattler. He was in plain sight and was working his rattle box vigorously. My first impulse was to hit him a whack and kill him immediately, but just than my good nature prevailed on me to give him a show for his life, and know- Ing how dearly the rattler loved to bite, I concluded to gratify his desire. With that object in view I began moving the red hot fire brand toward him, which seemed to delight him from the manner he worked bis rattle end, and when the pole had reached the proper place, according to his idea, he sprang and hit the red hot fire brand with terrific forco. I expect he bit hard, but he did not bite long, and the next moment he seemed to have forgotten that ho had a rattle box, and was beating the ground with both ends and performing more jimnastytricks in a minute than a High School boy could do in a life time. L offered it to him for a second bite. but he was too busy with his own sad self to notice the temptor. I than hit him a rap and mashed his head. He was five feet long, of the black diamond species, and a beauty-if a rattle snake can be called a thing of beauty.
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Names of 156 Soldlere of The Sixth Inwa Infantry billed In Balile, years 1861 to 1866. Arranged by W. P. KREMER
J. W. ARMSTRONG ROBERT ALLISON O. r. ATKINSON JOHN BROADMAN
SAM'L W. BOWERS JOHN W. BROWN
WILLIAM BROWN RICK. HAMILTON FRAN. P. BALDWIN GEORGE BLACK DANIEL J. BOYLES JOHN B. BROWN
HENRYM. HENNER THOS.J. DARROWS JOHN M. RIGHAM
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THOS. B. HAKER BENJAMIN HIXHY CHAS. J. CHEENY
OLIVR BOARDMAN OSCAR BOSTRAND HARRISON CRAIG
GEO. BABINGTON WILLIAM HL. BARR ALBERT CALLEN
NOAH CARNACH JACOR CHAPMAN JAMES CACKLEY ZEPHI. F. DELANY
NATHAN CARTER NEWHY CHASE
ROBT, CRAWFORD ROBERT B. DAVIS
WM. R. CRAWFORD GEORGE W. CLARK WILLIAM DELAP WILLIAM DAVIS
JAMES CALHOUN ARCHI'D CONNER JAMES H. DUNCAN MICHAEL DITTO
DIANE DUPONT THOS. J. ELHICK
CHARLS FLEMING ALONZO F. GALE HENRY M. HOWE
ALEXAN. DALTON OLIVER P. EVANS
FRANK M. FERRER D. GLADFELDER : 1
MONROE HARDEN
URIAH M. BAVIS THO. FULLERTON NEW. J. GORDON JOHN F. GRIMES JOHN III BLER
THOMAS J. ENNIS GEORGE W. FORD
CHAS. H. GREGGS WILLIAM E. HALL WM. M. HUGHES
FRAN. R. HUNNEL THOMAS HINTON TIMOT'Y HOLMES DANL ISEMINGER
MERRIT JAMISON SOLOMN KELLOGG
JNO. L. HARRISON SAMUEL HART AUSTIN A. HULL WILLIAM A.JONES
CHARL'S JERKC'HO MAT. W. KEMPER
DAVID J. HAYS GEORGE W. HESS WM. T. HUFFORD JOHN A. JONES GUSTAV JOHNSON JIILLAN L. KILLS
JAMESR. HICKCOX JAMES W. HIGHIT JOHN HANNUM HORA. P. JACKSON
WILLI JIKELLOGG JIB. IL. KENNEDY
GEORGE J. KNUCK GEO, A. LOONAIN THOS. MeKISSICE NATHANB. MOORE KORT. IL. OSBORN GEORGEW. PRATT GEORGE F. REEDY
DAVID KEY, Co. 1 GRUNDY M. LOCK MATT. MITCHELL
JAMES M. MARDIS CHAR'S J. PAYNE CHS. M. PETERSON
W. A. RICHARDSON
ZARA M. LANNING IRA LINTON, Co. K ROART MITCHELL DAVID MORELAND JOHN N. C. POTTS
C. C. PHILBROOK
JOHN C. ROGERS
JOHN LOCKHARD DAVID F. MCGEE OLIVERB. MILLER
BENJ. MATHEWS LOR. D. PRATHER GEORGE H. REED J. A. ROBERTSON
G. M. SHARP GEO. F. SCOTT SAM. SUMMER FRANK SCOTT
WM. D. TULL
FRE, F. WEED
JAC. WIGGINS
W. II. WILLSEY
1. 1. SLEIGHT WALTR SMITH R. F. STEWART
". H. WRIGHT HENRY YOUNG
JNO. M. SAYER
A. W. SURLES WM. SWAYNE DAY SHEARER
AL. M. SMITH HY. W. SMITH C. B. SHIPMAN
JIS. W. TRAVIS H. L. TUCKER
G. WIGHTMAN G. H. WILLSEV
WADSWORTH
C. H. LOOMIS D MISSELMAN
WM. SHEETS CHS. STEVENS
TOBIS ULRICH 1. W. WEAVER WENTWORTH
SUTHERLAND
J. SPAULDING G. W. HIBBARD
C.HI STRATTON WM.STEWART
R. E. WHITE AL. R. SAVAGE G. R. VINCENT W. H. WAUGH HICKENLOPER 4 Wounded in Bottle, and Missing: most Probably Killed G. A. MILLER
O. S. METCALF
W. P. KREMER
Five feet ten inches high. Weight 175 pommuds. Born near Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1841. But-
I was reared along the Mississippi River. Where its water was deep and wide And I sported in the virgin forests That lined its bank of either side. 1. I look backward on my childhood, No brighter spot on earth I know, Than the pathless forests along the river As I saw them sixty years ago.
COMPANY DOG JEFF
On our return from Springfield, Mo., in November 1861, our drum. mer boy astonshed the company one night when golog into camp by pulling an ugly looking brindle pup form his haversack. The pup was about six weeks old and the boy named him Jeff Davis, in contempt, rather than admiration of that individual. The boy carried the pup in his haversark, 100 miles, to Sedalla, where we went into winter quarters. The pup was always playful, eat any- thing in the food line set before him. In March when the regi- ment went to Tennessee, Jeff went with us and was with us in the Battle of Shiloh. The next summer he showed his usefulness and willingness to help the boys catch a hog or chicken whenever called upon. lle was with us in the Battles of Big Black River and Jackson, and in the assault on Missionary Ridge he ran, barking. in front of the colors and on reaching the fortifications, with a fearless bound he landed on top of the works and fell dead at the same instant. That night, after the battle, the writer got his bod; and had it buried in the trench beside the boys killed that day.
SINGERS IN THE COMPANY
There were a number of good singers in the company. Merrill could entertain the regiment all night long with his comle song.s. Charles Shipman had an endless variety of Negro Melodies which he could render in a charming manner. John Isett was one of the world's sweet singers. He arranged the tune and sang for the first time "When Sherman Marched down to the Sea." At that time Isett was in a lebel prison and the guards wore so well pleased with the song that they called him out several times to repeat.
GENERALS IN THE ARMY
As soldiers we had opportunities to see Generals and study them at close range. And those observations became a conviction, not a prejudice through life. The writer has ever regarded Halleck as the master military spirit of the age. His short campaign before Corinth tanght all our generals that if they only moved a few rods to fortify and hold it. In open field battles, it afterwards became an important factor. Grant seemed fond of show and displayig his horsemanship by riding a horse as fast as he could go when reviewing troops or going through eamp. One could not see Fre- mont but to admire him; he was a gem plucked from the halls of enchantment. Thomas was always grand, Pope was superb and MePherson was magnificant. But the most striking figure in the army, was, perhaps, John A. Logan. With black hair hanging around his shoulders and a mustache neur a foot long, woude an impression not easily forgotten. The writer in his life time recalls seeing no one more stilking attractive in appearance, except ( Wild ) Bill Hickock, the hero of the plains. The writer saw Blair, Sherman, Low Wallace, Hooker, Sheridan, Custer and Kit Carson who was the grandson of the great Daniel Boone, and the first white man to lead an expedition across the pathless Rocky Moun- tains.
The three men from Burlington who became Generals, the writer knew before the war. Fitz Henry Warren and Jacob Lauman were Nature's Noblemen. Whenever they met the Sixth lowa they would dismount in front of Company I, take off their bats and shake hands with every member of the company. No one in the Burlington company was beneath their notice. Corse was an arrogant snob.
BATTLES ENGAGED IN 1987743
The Sixth Iowa left Burlington on August 3, for the seat of war and on August 5, wo lined up for battle at Athens, Missouri, to help repel a Rebel force that was threatening the invasion of Iowa. We than went to St. Louis and during the fall took part in the campaign in Southwest Missourl. In March 1882 we joined the army at Pittsburg Landing, on tho Tennessee. On April 6th and 7th we participated in the battle there, better known as the Battle of Shiloh. The regiment had 65 killed and 217 wounded (S. .. names of the killed on another page.) The battle was one of the Hercest known in the history of wars. We buried over tono deast Rebels on the battle field, which was a thousand more than this had killed during the Chickahominy Campaign, and 1,500 more than they had killed at Gettysburg.
We took part in the Big Black River engagement and lead the as- sault on the Rebel works at Jackson, Miss. We also lead the
ar ults at Missionary Ridge, bi : Shanty and Konesaw Mountain, and the writer points with pride to the fact he and a comrade 11. m Con pany E, were the only Union soldiers to reach the 1. bel works and returned nnharined at Konesaw Mountain
At the Battle of Peach Tree Creek the regiment lost heavily : during the entire Atlanta Campaign, it rarely mi-sed a day without being under fire. In the March to the Sea, it engaged a force of ten thaes it number at Griswoldville, and held them in check until the rest of the Brigade come in from a two mile run to their relief. It was present at the capture of Savannah; the march through the Caro linas, participated in the Battles of Averasborough and Benton- ville, and in Washington in the final or "Grand Review," at which time it bore on its flag tho inscription, 2100 DAYSIN BATTLE .. "
OLDEST SURVIVOR NOW LIVING
Is Captain Washington Galland of Montrose, lown. He is now rounding out the last decade of his century. He is known as the first white child born in the territory now comprising the State of lowa. He was a lad when the tiret steamboat ascended the Mi- i sippi River. He saw the Mormon, ander Joseph Smith land on the opposite side of the river and build a great city and a magni- ticent Temple, The Mormons are gone and the Temple, long ago lit up the surrounding country with the light of its destruction.
IE AUTHOR OF THIS BOOKLET
Was a soldier during the war period and carried a Springfiel t life, and is proud to say that he is not a descendent of any king. queen, or other spng of mon archal nobility. His ancestors were good German people, who Innded in Philadelphia, from the ship Palatines, October 10, 1749. My grandfather was born December 6, 1773. One of his uncles peri-hed of hardship at Valley Forge and another was killed at the Battle of Germantown and a third one was in the Judian troubles that culminated in the historie "Massacre of Wyoming."
After the war the writer crossed the continent, and had several skirmishes with the luchians who were on the war path in Isto 1867 and 1858, and returned wia Panama to New York. In Isat with Edward H. Thomas, a master printer, we started the Nanvoo, tlh- nois Independent, which is now conducted by GEORGE BAUMIRI & Bro. George was with us and helped on the first issue, and under lus careful management it has flourished ever since hbe a "Gacu Bay Tree." While conducting that paper the writer published the first article ever printed on the subject of using the falls ns a great water power. The project will be finished in 1913 after an expend iture of $20,000,000, and forty years delay.
In historie Nauvoo the writer remembers sering the great Mor- mon Temple in 1847. It was destroyed by fire October 8 and 9. 1818 He also is pleased to state that he has dined at the table set by Mrs. Emma Bidamon, who was the only wife of Josoph Simth, the founder of the Mormon religion: that he knew Judge Sharp who was tried for leading the mob that broko into the jail and killed Joseph and Hyrum Smith, two unarmed prisoners.
KIND FRIENDS AND READERS
My task is nearly done. The most of my comrades have passed to the great divide. Those living have passed the mountain summit and are descending with rapid footsteps toward the setting sun of eternity. A few more years and the brave boys of 186] will rest in their silent graves and history; and now-
Harkl I hear the bugles sounding, Calling the aged and tottering into line, For their last great carthly rally, Before pluinging into the wilderness of time.
And even now I see the gathering, On the banks of the unknown stream Quietly wailing the approaching darkness, And the last ray of the sun-light's gleam,
While our footstps are unsteady. And onr hair Is snowy white Let us approach the grim destroyer. Cheering, with smiles and faces bright. Soon with others we will assemble On the banks of the darkened shore, father, mother, sisters and departed comrades With the countless millions gone before.
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