USA > Iowa > Benton County > The history of Benton County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics > Part 44
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The corona. as viewed through an excellent glass, was remarkably different from all preconceived notions on the subject, and from all previous descriptions, both in size and shape. It has always been represented as nearly annular (ring formed). of about equal breadth all the way round the edge of the moon. and not more than one-tenth of her apparent diameter. The corona of the 7th was exceedingly irregular in its outline. and in some places projected to a dis- tance fully half the apparent diameter of the moon. or nearly 500,000 miles. The greatest length was almost identical with the direction of the moon's path across the face of the sun, which very nearly coincided with the plane of the
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ecliptic. From the east side a mass of light shot out to a distance of five or six digits ; it was about thirty degrees wide at the base, and shaped nearly like the remote half of a silver-poplar leaf. Near the moon it shone with an almost uniform white light, but within a short space it broke up into brilliant rays, almost parallel with each other, and all pointing nearly toward the center. Still further out, these rays assumed more of a streaky character, seeming to lie against a darker background, and toward the summit they faded away into a more diffused and milder light, thongh still distinct and bright. Near the extremity it appeared more like a cumulus cloud, but the central direction of the rays was plainly visible. It melted away into the azure background almost imperceptibly, but the outline was perfect, except at the very extremity of the leaf-shaped mass. On the other side of the disk was a corresponding tongue, but less regular, and extending only about two-thirds as far into the void. This position was more brilliant near the base than its counterpart, and was sharply defined at the very extremity, the rays blending so thickly that it required a steady gaze to separate them. The extent of this portion was about 285,000 miles. One observer saw the light reflected from the moon's edge at a distance of 54,000 miles from the sun's body, while the light was reflected from the other edge at a distance of 74,000 miles. The total width of the corona was about 1,600,000 miles.
The broadest mass of covered light was visible on the left (in the southwest quarter). This sprung from an arc of about fifty degrees on the moon's circum- ference to a height of three digits, or 234,000 miles. This mass was more diffused than either of the others, and separated near the extremity into narrow leaflets of light, something like the flame from a thinly spread bed of coals, only there was no red, the light being pure white, with a faint coruscation. Opposite to this, on the right, was another leaf-spread mass of four digits in height, on a basis of twenty to twenty-five degrees. and like a parabola in gen- eral outline, which was, however, broken up on the outer side into jets. An- other broad sheet sprung up on the northeast, toward the zenith, nearly rect- angular in shape, and three to four digits high, the upper third part being divided irregularly into tongues of light, formed by assemblages of rays. Between these large masses the circumference of the lunar orb was filled up by radiate lines of brilliant light, extending on an average a digit and a half in height, of 125,000 miles from the sun's surface. It was noticeable that this continuous band was the narrowest on the lower left-hand side (southwest by south), averaging about two-thirds of the width elsewhere, and was badly broken on its entire outline, as if the regularity were interfered with by the action of the string of bead-like protuberances jutting up through the interior portion of its volume.
The full amount of this irregularity was not perceptible with the naked eve, but the general distribution of long and short rays was the same. To the unaided vision the narrower portions of the corona were visible and bright; but the tongue-like extensions faded out into nothingness, whereas the telescope gave a definite outline all around, except at the summit of the first-named pro- trusion. The apparent color of the protuberances was a pinkish red. The instant that the last film of light had vanished, leaving the sun in utter dark- ness, and simultaneously with the out-flash of the corona, the line of protuber- ances on the south limb burst into view. Soon after the western edge of the moon had advanced sufficiently to uncover the protuberances on that side, and the four largest remained distinctly visible till the last glimmer of light was visible, when they vanished with the corona, leaving the world in the deep
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darkness of total eclipse. A moment passed, and those occupying elevated positions could see the shadow of approaching darkness moving toward them swiftly as the ripples are raised on a placid lake by a Summer breeze, but awful. intense and terrible-fearful as a procession of spirits in the lower circle of the "Inferno." A few seconds of expectancy and the light was gone. It was an interval of absolute silence and of total darkness ; for the eyes of the observer had been contracted by the rays of the sun, and needed two or three seconds to dilate sufficiently to distinguish any object whatever. Nothing terrestrial could be seen, the darkness was too great; but by looking upward the stars could be noticed to creep out, one by one, until over a dozen could be discerned with the naked eye.
1
WAR HISTORY.
If there is any one thing more than another of which the people of the Northern States have reason to be proud, it is of the record they made during the dark and bloody days when red-handed rebellion raised its hideous head and threatened the life of the nation. When the war was forced upon the country. the people were quietly 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 manufactories-in short, the country was alive with industry and hopes for the future. 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 for the insurement of comfort and competence in their declining years ; they little heeded the mutter- ings 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 independence-they never dreamed that there was even one so base as to dare attempt the destruction of the Union of their fathers-a government baptized with the best blood the world ever knew. While immediately surrounded with peace and tranquillity, 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 off- spring of their own loins. Nevertheless, the war came with all its attendant horrors.
April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter, at Charleston, South Carolina, Maj. Ander- son, 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 the mere bravado of a few hot-heads-the act of a few fire-eaters whose sec- tional bias and freedom and hatred was crazed by the excessive indulgence in intoxicating potations. When, a day later, the news was borne along the tele- graph wires that Maj. Anderson had been forced to surrender to what had first been regarded as a drunken mob, the patriotic people of the North were startled from their dreams of the future, from undertakings half completed, and made to realize that behind that mob there was a dark, deep and well organized purpose to destroy the government, rend the Union in twain, and out of its ruins erect a slave oligarchy, wherein no one would dare question their right to hold in bondage the sons and daughters of men whose skins were black, or who, per- chance, through practices of lustful natures, were half or quarter removed from the color that God, for His own purpose, had given them. But they "reckoned without their host." Their dreams of the future, their plans for the establish- ment of an independent confederacy, were doomed from their inception to sad and bitter disappointment.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
Immediately upon the surrender of Fort Sumter, Abraham Lincoln - America's martyr President, who, but a few short weeks before, had taken the oath of office as the nation's chief executive-issued a proclamation calling for 75.000 volunteers for three months. The last word had scarcely been taken from the electrie wires before the call was filled. Men and money were counted out by hundreds and thousands. The people who loved their whole govern- ment could not give enough. Patriotism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated through every heart. The farm, the workshop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the bench, the college, the school house-every calling offered its best men, their lives and fortunes in defense of the government's honor and unity. Party lines were for the time ignored. Bitter words, spoken in moments of political heat, were forgotten and forgiven, and joining hands in a common cause, they repeate the oath of America's soldier-statesman : "By the Great Eternal, the Union must and shall be preserved !"
Seventy-five thousand men were not enough to subdue the rebellion. Nor were ten times that number. The war went on, and call followed call. until 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 inaugurated. But to every call for 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 sons of Benton County made a conspicuous and praiseworthy record. Of the offerings made by these people during the great and final struggle between freedom and slavery it is the purpose now to write.
April 14, A. D. 1861, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States. issued the following :
PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, The laws of the United States have been and now are violently opposed in sev. eral States, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed in the ordinary way; I therefore call for the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000, to suppress said combinations and execute the laws. I appeal to all loyal citizens to facilitate and aid in this effort to maintain the laws and integrity of the perpetuity of the popular government, and redress wrongs long enough endured. The first service assigned to the forces, probably. will be to repossess the forts, places and property which have been seized from the Union. Let the utmost care be taken. consistent with the object, to avoid devastation, destruction, interference with the property of peaceful citizens in any part of the country; and I hereby command per- sons composing the aforesaid combination to disperse within twenty days from date.
I hereby convene both Houses of Congress for the 4th day of July next, to determine upon measures for public safety which the interest of the subject demands.
WM. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. President of the United States.
The gauntlet thrown down by the traitors of the South was accepted-not. however, in the spirit with which insolence meets insolence-but with a firm. determined spirit of patriotism and love of country. The duty of the President was plain, under the Constitution and the laws, and above and beyond all, the people from whom political power is derived, demanded the suppression of the rebellion, and stood ready to sustain the authority of their representatives and executive officers.
It is impossible for any historian to do full justice to the spirit and patriotism of this people in the early days of this gigantic and bloody struggle waged by the American people against rebellion, and their liberal and continu- ous contributions to maintain the integrity of this glorious Union. It is, indeed, a proud record : for from among them went out brave soldiers and
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efficient leaders to aid in the grand struggle for the maintenance and perpetuity of the Union.
A union of lakes, a union of lands, A union that none can sever ; A union of hearts, a union of hands- The American Union forever.
Never before in the world's history was witnessed such an uprising of the masses, such unanimity of sentiment, such willingness to sacrifice life and money on the altar of patriotism.
When the first companies were being raised, measures were inaugurated and carried out to raise money by subscription for the support of the families of the volunteers. But there were so many calls for men, and the number and needs of these families whose providers had gone to defend the life of the nation, that it became an impossibility for private purses, however willing their holders, to supply all the demand, and the county authorities made frequent and liberal appropriations from the public treasury for that purpose. Private liberality still continued. This money was raised in the midst of the excitement of war, when the exigencies of the times demanded it, and the generous people never thought to inquire how much was given. Aside from the sums appropriated by county authority, no account was ever kept. Had there been, the sum would now seem almost fabulous.
UNION MEETING.
The first grand rally of the people of Benton County after the fall of Fort Sumter, was a large and enthusiastic meeting at the Court House on Friday, April 19, 1861. John Shane, Esq., was called to the chair, and W. W. Han- ford appointed Secretary. A committee was appointed to draft resolutions, con- sisting of Messrs. S. P. Vanatta, J. S. Hunt and J. Wetz. While the com- mittee were attending to their duty, stirring speeches were made by the Chair- man, Russell Jones, Col. G. W. Sells, W. F. Pickerell and J. S. Hunt. The committee on resolutions reported the following :
WHEREAS, A portion of the people living under the Government of the United States, has seen fit to set at naught the authority of the National Government, to take possession of the public and other property not rightly in their possession, and has opposed by arms the legally consti- tuted authority, and has by unmistakable acts declared an aggressive war against our beloved institutions, therefore,
Resolved, That the people of Vinton. as good citizens of the United States, should and do regret with sincere feelings the rashness which has driven the Southern people into arms against the Government, and the terrible necessity of civil war which has thus been forced upon us.
Resolved, That as good citizens, it is our solemn and unavoidable duty to sustain and uphold the Government and the execution of its laws and the vindication of its authority.
Resolved, That we will give our devoted attachment, our unwavering confidence and our unconditional support to the Government of the United States.
Resolved, That our hearts are still loyal to the great principle of constitutional liberty and free government, npon which the wisdom of our forefathers erected the temple of the constitu- tion, under the shade of which we have enjoyed so great and so many blessings, and that the ruthless hand and traitorous heart that would destroy this beautiful temple, merits from us the severest reprobation and the most undaunted opposition.
Resolved, That if we cannot have union, we will preserve liberty and the Constitution.
Resolved, That as citizens of Vinton, we hereby pledge ourselves to defray the expenses necessary in procuring uniforms and an outfit for a volunteer company to be raised in Benton County, to protect the Government of the United States, the Constitution and enforce the laws.
After patriotic speeches by S. P. Vanatta, John McCartney and the declara- tion by W. C. Connell that he would head the list for a company in Benton County, the resolutions were unanimously adopted.
A committee of three was appointed, consisting of J. S. Hunt, W. C. Con- nell and W. A. Walker to recruit a company, and the meeting adjourned to
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next Tuesday, 23d. On Saturday, 20th, a recruiting office was opened at Con- nell & Vanatta's law office, and a number enlisted.
On Tuesday evening the Court House was crowded to overflowing, W. C. Connell in the chair, and J. W. Traer, Secretary. The most intense enthusiasm prevailed. Earnest and thrilling speeches were made by S. P. Vanatta, C. H. Conklin, W. C. Gaston, S. Douglass, Rev. J. M. Rankin, W. C. Smith. and the unanimous sentiment was a determination to stand shoulder to shoulder in support of the administration and in crushing the rebellion.
The following resolution proposed by Mr. Vanatta was unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That we as citizens of Benton County, Iowa, hereby agree and pledge ourselves to support and maintain in a decent and respcetable manner-such as is suitable to their condition -the families of all those who may volunteer their services as soldiers in the present war, to assist to subdue and put down all traitors and rebels to our Government, and that the families of none such shall want for any of the necessities of life so long as we are able to support them there- with.
After the passage of this resolution, several more volunteers enlisted, and the company adjourned until Saturday.
The first man to enlist in the first company of volunteers raised in Benton County was W. C. Connell, Esq., followed by J. S. Hunt, W. F. Pickerell, M. Thompson, W. A Walker, John Dempsey and Edwin Jenks.
Earlier in the week several young men went to Cedar Rapids to enlist, and two-P. Murdick and George Reifenstahl-did enlist in the First Iowa.
April 25, 1861, the first action taken by the Board of Supervisors in regard to the war was a resolution presented by John Slattery at the special session of the Board, which read as follows :
WHEREAS, The President of the United States has called upon the several States of the Union for volunteers to sustain the honor and integrity of the Government against the assaults of rebels and traitors who have seized the public property, stolen its money, stormed its forts and otherwise insulted the flag of the United States ; therefore, be it
Resolved, By and with the advice and consent of the Board of Supervisors of Benton County. that, in case a company of volunteers is raised within said county, the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) is hereby appropriated to aid in the equipment of said volunteers ; and upon due proof furnished to the Clerk of the Board that said company of volunteers has been collected, that he is authorized to issue a warrant or warrants to the amount of five hundred dollars for the purpose specified.
This resolution was carried by the following vote : Yeas-Springer, Slat- tery, Christie, Stocher, Palmer, Treanor, Kirkpatrick, Dwigans, Robinson. Livermore and McQuin-11. Nays-Rice, Miskimin, Forsyth, Mickey, Gwin. Smith, Austin, Lamosee and Inman-9.
It is proper to add that those who voted in the negative believed that no business could be legally transacted at a special session, other than that for which the session was called. Hence they voted " No."
Another public meeting was held in the Court House on the 28th, at which speeches were made by Mr. Geddes, John Slattery, Joseph Dysart, J. S. Hunt and W. C. Gaston.
On Tuesday, April 30, a large and enthusiastic meeting was held in Big Grove Township. John Ruffcorn presided and J. C. Rhodabeck was Secretary. The meeting was addressed by Jacob Wetz, W. C. Smith, Dennis Kennedy, J. Ruffcorn, J. S. Hunt, H. S. Bailey, S. Mahin, J. C. Rhodabeck and Peter Shultz.
The ladies of Vinton held a meeting on Tuesday, the 30th, for the purpose of preparing lint and bandages for the use of volunteers.
The first company raised in Benton County met in the Court House Satur- day afternoon, May 4, took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United
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States and to obey the call of the Governor, and elected officers as follows : Jacob S. Hunt (who had served in the Mexican war), Captain ; William C. Connell, First Lieutenant ; William F. Pickerell, Second Lieutenant ; William A. Walker, Third Lieutenant; Jacob Wetz, Ensign. The non-commissioned officers afterward appointed were : J. A. McClure, Orderly Sergeant; Nathan Rice, Second Sergeant ; David Barnett, Third Sergeant; John K. Raser, First Corporal ; R. H. Kirkpatrick, G. B. Mills, Samuel Oberlander, Corporals ; Arke Jenks, Fifer ; J. R. Boyd, Drummer; James E. White, Bass Drummer.
Saturday night, at a meeting in the Court House, the company was reported full.
GRAND UNION RALLY.
On Wednesday evening, May 1, 1861, a grand Union rally was held at the Court House. Dr. W. S. Boyd was President; Fletcher Drummond, Sec- retary, and J. C. Traer, W. C. Gaston, Samuel Douglass, John Pyne and John Shane, Committee on Resolutions. The resolutions were as follows :
WHEREAS, The news has just been received that a second call for volunteers has been made, to the number of eighty-five thousand, by the President of the United States, and
WHEREAS, There is a company forming in this place from our own citizens, therefore,
Resolved, That it is the duty of every loyal citizen of this county to aid said organization by every means in their power, either by enlisting or by furnishing the means to enable those who are willing to enlist to enable them to leave their families in comfortable circumstances.
Resolved That the present threatening aspect of national affairs imperatively calls for some immediate steps to be taken by our State authorities to place this State on a war footing.
Resolved, That we are in favor of an appropriation of $500,000, or a sum sufficient to pur- chase the necessary arms, and the passage of a military law which will require every man in the State between 18 and 45, who is not disabled by disease, to enroll himself and perform military duty.
Resolved, That in the present great and trying time of our country's peril, we believe it to be the duty of all good citizens, without distinction of party, sect or creed, to lay aside all differ- ences of opinion, and act as one man for the defense and sustenance of the present Administra- tion in its noble efforts to suppress insurrections and to put down traitors and rebels.
The following donations were made : By John Shane, a gold watch, valued at $75; by Judge Douglass, $100; by Dr. Traer, $50; by Joseph Dysart, $25 and flour enough to keep two families one year ; by Dr. Boyd, his professional services, gratis, to the families of all volunteers during their absence.
The following resolutions were adopted on motion of John Shane :
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to draft a memorial to the Legislature of lowa, and to procure signers' names to the same, requesting that body to enact a law authorizing and empowering counties and incorporated towns to make appropriations for the support of the families of such as may volunteer in the defense of the Government.
Resolved, That the Legislature of Iowa be requested to enact a law making it unlawful for any execution to issue against any person who volunteers, while he remains in active service.
Resolved, That a committee of ten be appointed to raise means for the purpose of providing for the temporary wants of those who have volunteered.
The committees ordered by these resolutions were appointed by the chair, as follows :
To draft memorial-W. C. Gaston, S. P. Vanatta and Joseph Dysart.
To provide for families of volunteers-E. Ervin, J. E. Palmer, John Slat- tery, J. M. Inman, Rufus Berry, John Parker, S. H. Watson, M. P. Adams, J. M. Rankin and John S. Forsyth.
AT PARKER'S GROVE
a meeting was held on the same evening as the above, for the purpose of waking up enthusiasm, and the formation of a company of Home Guards. C. P. Neal
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was Chairman, and J. L. Bndd, Secretary. A Committee on Resolutions was appointed, who reported the following :
WHEREAS, A portion of these United States have seceded from the Union, and have further engaged in open rebellion against our Government, and are in actual hostilities against our com- mon country, by robbing our mints and attacking our forts and arsenals ;
AND WHEREAS, The Capitol of our nation and other portions of our country are in imminent danger, and many points in our own State are measurably defenseless from an attack of our enemies ; therefore,
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