1865 September 9: An Update on Matters in Missouri

The following news from Missouri comes from the September 9, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.

Matters in Missouri.

A considerable portion of the clergy in this State refuse to take the oath prescribed in the new constitution.  The St. Louis correspondent of the N. Y. Tribune gives the following account of matters in that State :

THE NEW CONSTITUTION.

There is now some talk about resistance to the New Constitution in disloyal counties.  It is reported from Jefferson city that the Governor has information that a secret shipment of fire-arms was lately received in Callaway county under circumstances calculated to excite suspicion that certain parties intend to organize an armed opposition to the new constitution.  It will not prove a healthy operation, even if undertaken with a large force from Callaway county.  Many Union men, particularly soldiers, believe Callaway got off too cheap at the close of the war any way, and would rejoice to go into the county to assist in the suppression of a new rebellion.  The spirit of opposition in St. Louis  is confined to the refractory preachers.  There is now in session a conference of the ministers of the Methodist Church South, whose proceedings are watched with interest.  Thus far they have merely compared notes as to the extent of the conversions in the rebel army, several rebel Chaplains being present.—Probably the legislature will have to provide the machinery for carrying out the new constitutional provision imposing an oath on preachers, though they are now debarred from performing the marriage ceremony.

SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE OATH.

About three dozen lawyers have already subscribed to the new oath, and many more will doubtless do the same at an early day.  The rest of the profession are in a quandary.  Probably the most puzzled man in the community, is the Judge of the Circuit Court, who is a rabid anti-Constitution man, and figured as a politician in stump speeches against it.  It is predicted he will allow lawyers to practice who have not taken the oath ;  if he does, an impeachment by the Radical Legislature is threatened, so the Judge is between two fires.  If he requires the oath as a condition precedent to the appearance of lawyers, he will be accused of backing down, and if he does not, his official seat is in danger.

GEN. POPE AND JUDGE BREWER.

Gen. Pope [John Pope] has had a tilt with Judge Brewer,¹ of the Kansas Circuit Court, by refusing to surrender 40 Indian ponies seized by the military on behalf of the Indians as stolen property.  Judge Brewer has issued a writ for the arrest of Gen. Pope for contempt of court, which he says shall not be returned unexecuted during his term of office.  Gen. Pope has the equities of the case on his side.

MISSOURI AND PACIFIC RAILROAD.

There remains only 17 miles to finish on the Missouri and Pacific Railroad, and that space is already far along towards completion.  All the bridges, culverts and grading are finished, and ties and rails are being laid with great rapidity.  The rains of the past four weeks injured the grading somewhat and required several sections to be done a second time, but the prospect is fair for the opening of the road through to Kansas City before October.

A SUIT AGAINST DISTINGUISHED REBELS.

A suit has been commenced in the Johnson county Circuit Court, by a Union soldier named Bryan Hornsby, against several distinguished rebels—including Sterling Price, James S. Rains, Stephen Cockerill [sic]² and others—for $50,000 damages, for false imprisonment early in the war.  The result of this suit will be the signal for many others.  Price and Rains both own property in this State, which will amply cover the verdict if one be rendered in the plaintiff’s favor.  This process was successful in East Tennessee, but it has never before been tried in Missouri.

1.  David Josiah Brewer (1837-1910) was at this time a judge to the First Judicial District of Kansas. Upon graduating from law school, Brewer moved to Kansas City, Missouri, to start a law practice. He then left for Colorado in search of gold, returning empty-handed in 1859 to nearby Leavenworth, Kansas. He was named Commissioner of the Federal Circuit Court in Leavenworth in 1861. He left that court to become a judge to the Probate and Criminal Courts in Leavenworth in 1862, and then changed courts again to become a judge to the First Judicial District of Kansas in 1865. He left that position in 1869 and became city attorney of Leavenworth. He was then elected to the Kansas Supreme Court in 1870, where he served for 14 years. In 1884, Brewer was nominated by President Chester A. Arthur to the U.S. circuit court for the Eighth Circuit. In 1889, after 28 years on the bench, Brewer was nominated by President Benjamin Harrison to the United States Supreme Court. Brewer was confirmed by the Senate and received the commission the same day, joining a court that included S. J. Field, his uncle. Brewer was an active and influential member of the Supreme Court.
2.  Francis Marion Cockrell (1834-1915) was a prominent member of the famed South-Cockrell-Hargis family of Southern politicians. He practiced law in Warrensburg, Missouri, before the Civil War. In 1861 he joined the Missouri State Guard (Confederate). After transferring to the Confederate army and being promoted to colonel, he was an important leader in the Vicksburg Campaign. Cockrell distinguished himself at the Battle of Champion Hill (May 16, 1863), and also took part in the Battle of Big Black River Bridge (May 17, 1863). Cockrell was promoted to brigadier general on July 18, 1863. He went on to fight in many of the battles of the Atlanta Campaign, and participated in Hood’s Tennessee Campaign. In April 1865, shortly before the end of the war, Cockrell was captured in Alabama, but was paroled after a few weeks. After the War, he returned to his law practice. In 1874 he was elected to the U.S. Senate from Missouri and served from 1875 to 1905. From 1905 to 1910, Cockrell He was appointed to the Interstate Commerce Commission by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905. He served on the Commission until 1910. Cockrell then became part of a commission which negotiated the boundaries between the state of Texas and the New Mexico Territory, which was about to become a state. In 1912, he became a director of ordnance at the War Department.

1865 September 9: More on Jefferson Davis–Speculation on His Trial, Connection with Wirz; a Pardon Revoked and a Colonel Attacked

The following summary of the news comes from the September 9, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.  Due to the length of the article it was split into two parts, this being the second part, with the first part published yesterday.

Telegraphic Summary.

[continued]

Governor Fletcher [John C. Fletcher], of Missouri, has written a letter declaring that the constitutional provision requiring preachers and teachers to take the oath of loyalty, will be enforced by the employment, if necessary, of the entire military strength of the State.

A public meeting was held in Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday last, at which resolutions were adopted avowing sincerity in the taking of the oath of allegiance, acquiescing in the results of the war, (the abolition of slavery included), and expressing confidence in President Johnson [Andrew Johnson] and Governor Pierpont [Francis H. Pierpont].

It is reported that the brother of Alexander H. Stephens has received permission to visit the rebel “vice-president” at Fort Warren.

Davis [Jefferson Davis], Clay [Clement C. Clay] and Mitchell [sic: John Mitchel], are now permitted to read newspapers.  The letter of Davis to his counsel, Gillett, is the only communication which he has as yet been allowed to send off.

The Lincoln monument fund (at Springfield, Illinois) now amounts to $50,600.

It is said that the President and Secretary Stanton [Edwin M. Stanton] favor an early trial of Jeff. Davis, by a civil court—Knoxville, Tennessee, being preferred by Mr. Johnson as the locality of the proceedings ;  that, if the trial shall be held before Chief Justice Chase [Salmon P. Chase], it will take place at Norfolk, Virginia, which point will suit the friends of the prisoner ;  and that, when the trial shall occur, General Butler [Benjamin F. Butler] will take a prominent part in the prosecution of the rebel chief.

The report that Davis, in a conversation with a visitor, had disavowed all knowledge of the existence of Wirz [Henry Wirz], and of the cruelties perpetrated at Andersonville, is pronounced untrue.  The only person who has had an interview with Davis, beyond the officers in charge, is a son of the President’s ;  and the conversation on the occasion of his visit, related merely to the physical condition of the prisoner.

Herald’s Richmond correspondent says orders revoking the pardon of Mr. Dudley,² president of the York River R. R., emanated from President Johnson himself in consequence of Dudley, subsequent to receiving the executive clemency having indulged in strongly disloyal language.

Col. Mellon,³ of Vicksburg, was attacked by a band of robbers, near that place, a few days ago.  He killed three or four and succeeded in making his escape.

FORTRESS MONROE, Aug. 31.—Jeff. Davis has been attacked with erysipelas¹ for the second time since his confinement ;  the first attack was very slight, but this one is more severe, although not looked upon as serious.  The health of Mr. Clay is improving.

1.  Erysipelas, Greek for red skin, also known as “Ignis sacer,” “holy fire,” and “St. Anthony’s fire” in some countries), is an acute infection that typically has a skin rash on any of the legs, toes, face, arms, and fingers. It is an infection of the upper dermis and superficial lymphatics, usually caused by Beta-hemolytic group A streptococcus bacteria on scratches or otherwise infected areas. It can recur in 18-30% of cases.
2.  An Alexander Dudley of King and Queen County, Virginia, was pardoned by President Johnson on July 6, 1865. The Richmond and York River Railroad was instrumental to the Confederate war effort on the Peninsula, but was wrecked during the Peninsula Campaign.

Alexander Dudley’s pardon of July 6, 1865, from Pardons Under Amnesty Proclamations, compiled 1865–1869. A1 1005, 26 rolls. ARC ID: 638273. General Records of the Department of State, 1763–2002, Record Group 59. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. ; digital image available on Ancestry LibraryEdition.

3.  Probably Thomas Armour Mellon (1826-1873), who was colonel in the 3rd Mississippi Infantry, CSA. He had served in the Mexican War in the 5th Mississippi Infantry at Vicksburg (1846), and lived in Hinds County, Mississippi, which is the next county over from Vicksburg (Warren County).

1865 July 22: Wisconsin Soldiers’ Home Fair Receipts, 7th Wisconsin Infantry Review, Population Counts for Polk and St. Croix Counties

Following are the smaller items of national interest from the July 22, 1865, issue of The Polk County Press.

— The receipts of the Wisconsin Soldiers’ Home Fair foots up $100,354.77.

— Capt. S. S. Starr, Chief Quartermaster at Savannah, Ga., has our thanks for a late file of Savannah papers.  [Sidney S. Star]

— The Soldier’s Home Fair has closed.  It ha been a perfect success, and its receipts will be considerable over $100,000.

— Wm. Yeo, Jr., formerly of St. Croix Falls gave us a call this week.  He spent last winter in Dixie and is looking in good health.  He is at present a resident of La Crosse.

— We notice the arrival home of more of our brave “boys in blue.”  Since our last mention the following have arrived home:— C. F. Nason, Seth Ayers, Wm. Wright, Samuel Tukesbury, Benj. Bergin, B. F. Conner, Wm. Mitchell, and John Fathke.

— Col. Richardson,¹ in a speech at Madison, says of the returned 7th Regiment, which was under his command :

“It went out with 38 officers and 984 men, has received by enlistment 428 men and by draft 230, making a total of 1, 680 men who have been connected with it.  There were 25 officers and 500 men mustered out came home with the regiment, and the remainder are sick in hospitals or otherwise scattered.—There have been 176 killed in battle, 95 died of wounds, 25 died while prisoners of war out of 57 taken prisoners, and 79 died of disease, making 375 whom the regiment has lost by death, while 41 officers and 694 men have received honorable scars, making 1,120 who had either died or been wounded in the service.”

POPULATION OF ST. CROIX CO.—Under the recent census the population of St. Croix Co.—as appears by a statement published in the Star and Times of last week—is 7,222 ;  the amount of bounties paid volunteers, and soldiers families is $91,806.84.  The population of the city of Hudson is 1,968, instead of 1,060, as given in this paper a short time ago.

CENSUS OF POLK COUNTY.—The census returns of the several towns in the county of Polk, are as follows :

	TOWNS.	1860.	1865.
	Alden,	157	168
	Farmington,	337	425
	Osceola,	470	524
	St. Croix Falls,	354	420
	Sterling,	73	56
	Lincoln,	.	86
	Total,	14,00²	16,70²
			14,00²
	Increase since 1860,		279²

 Considering that the past four years have been years of war and drouth,³ this increase speaks well for our county.

— Governor Fletcher has officially announced the adoption of the Constitution of Missouri by a majority of 1860.  [John C. Fletcher]

— All restrictions on internal, domestic and coastwise commerce, in the territory West of the Mississippi, has been removed.

— Gen. Grant’s monthly pay, income tax deducted, is $1062,70.  This sum is exclusive of commutation of rations, &c., which amount to nearly as much more.  [Ulysses S. Grant]

— Rear Admiral Dupont [sic] has bequeathed $175,000, the amount of his prize money, to establish a National Asylum, in Washington, for the orphans of soldiers and sailors.  [Samuel F. Du Pont]

— The opponents of the new constitution of Missouri, estimated to the Secretary of State, before the returns in his possession were counted, that he could make $150,000 by “shutting his eyes for a short time.”  He wouldn’t close his peepers for any such consideration, and they then entered his office by means of false keys, and ransacked it, hoping to steal the poll-books.  These they failed to find, and the Constitution having been declared ratified, they raise the cry of fraud against an officer whose integrity they failed to corrupt by a bribe.

1.   Hollon Richardson (1835-1916), from Chippewa Falls, enlisted July 10, 1861, as a private in Company A of the 7th, was promoted to 1st lieutenant and then captain of the company. On January 13, 1864, he was promoted to major of the regiment, and was brevetted lieutenant colonel on December 2, 1864. Richardson distinguished himself at Cemetery Hill (Battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863), and was wounded at Petersburg and Five Forks. He was brevetted colonel on March 13, 1865, and mustered out with the regiment on July 3, 1865. Richardson was nominated and confirmed for appointment to the grade of brevet brigadier general in 1866, with rank from March 13, 1865. After the War Richardson moved to Washington state where he engaged in land management for the rest of his life.
2.  Besides the commas being in the wrong place, there are some problems with the newspaper’s arithmetic!  The total of 1860 should be 1,391, and the total for 1865 1,679; making the difference between the two year 288.  It would be interesting to see the number of soldier deaths for the county taken into account, but those totals were not yet fully known.
3.  Dialect or poetic form of drought.

1865 July 22: Confederate General Thompson’s Farewell Address to His Men

When Confederate General M. Jeff Thompson’s¹ men had assembled at Jacksonport, Arkansas, to be paroled, he mounted a barrel and spoke to them, part of which was printed in the July 22, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.

Be warned that the “N” word is used several times. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls  does not condone the use of this language but includes it as an accurate reflection of society during the Civil War.

A Speech Worth Reading.

General Jeff. Thomson [sic] made a speech to his soldiers at Jacksonport, Ark., upon surrendering them, which is reported in a St. Louis journal, and is very characteristic of the man.—There are some lively passages which are worth attention :

“Many of the 8,000 men I now see around me, very many of you, have been skulking for the last three years in the swamps, within a few miles of your homes—skulking duty—and during that time have not seen your own children.  I see many faces about me that have not been seen by mortal man for the last three years ;  and what have you been doing all that time ?  Why, you have been lying in the swamps until the moss has grown six inches long on your backs ;  and such men call themselves “chivalrous soldiers.”  A few weeks ago General Reynolds sent a flag of truce to my headquarters, and I sent out to gather up a respectable force to meet those officers, and not one of you responded.  A few days later, when Col. Davis and Capt. Bennett of General Dodge’s staff, bore dispatches to me from that General, I again attempted to call about me enough of you to make a respectable show, and bow many of these brave 8,000 men reported at my call ?  ONE SORE-EYED MAN WITH GREEN GOGGLES !  But you rally like brave and gallant men around Uncle Sam’s commissary stores, and I now hope you will make better citizens than you did soldiers.

*          *          *          *          *          *

“Those of you who had arms, with a very few exceptions, have left them at home, and those who had government horses have failed to report them here.  Now let me say to you, one and all, those of you who have retained your arms, as soon as you get home take them to the nearest military post and deliver them up, or burn them, or get rid of them in some manner, for as sure as there is a God in Heaven, if they are found in your houses, just so sure will your houses be burned to the ground ;  and I hope to God every one of you who keeps good arms or property of any kind in your houses will be hanged, and you will too.

“Now I want you to go home and work hard and take care of your families, work early and late, and get up at night and see if your crops are growing.  Above all things avoid political discussions.  If any man says NIGGER to you, swear that you never knew or saw one in your life.  We have talked about the niggers for forty years and have been out-talked, we have fought four years for the nigger and been d—d badly whipped, and now it is not “your put;” the Yankees have won the nigger, and will do what they please with him ;  and you have no say in the matter, if they want him they will take him, and if they *ay [sic: say] you must keep him you will have to do it and no mistake.  I tell you that you have no say in the matter, and you oughtn’t to have any.  Go home and stay there ;  don’t go anywhere but to mill ;  don’t go to church for the minister will put knots and mischief in your head, and get you into trouble.  Be good citizens, and then those of you who have been good, honest, and brave soldiers have nothing to fear, but I warn those of you who have been nothing but sneaking, cowardly jawhawkers, cut-throats and thieves, that a just retribution awaits you, and I hope to God that the Federal authorities will hang you whenever and wherever they find you, and they will do it sure.

*          *          *          *          *          *

Do not complain if you are not permitted to have a voice in elections and civil affairs.  You have forfeited all such rights, and it now becomes you to submit to such laws and regulations as the Federal authorities may deem proper to enact, and I believe and know that they will do the best they can for you, especially if yon show henseforth [sic] that you now desire to merit their confidence by a strict obedience to the laws where you may reside.  We are conquered, subjugated ;  we have no rights, but must accept such privileges and favors as the Government may see proper to bestow upon us.”

1.  Meriwether Jeff Thompson (1826-1876) was a brigadier general in the Missouri State Guard during the Civil War.  Before the Civil War he moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he supervised the construction of the western branch of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, served as mayor of St. Joseph (1857–60), and presided over the ceremony inaugurating the first ride of the Pony Express on April 3, 1860. Thompson gained national attention in May, 1861, when he cut down the U.S. flag at the St. Joseph post office and threw it down to an angry crowd of southern sympathizers who shredded it to pieces. During the War, he commanded the First Military District of Missouri, which covered the swampy southeastern quarter of the state from St. Louis to the Mississippi River. Thompson’s battalion became known as the “Swamp Rats” for their exploits and he gained renown as the “Swamp Fox of the Confederacy.” Thompson agreed to surrender his command at Chalk Bluff, Arkansas on May 11, 1865, and agreed to have his men assemble at Wittsburg and Jacksonport, Arkansas to lay down their arms and receive their paroles. Thompson’s command was widely dispersed throughout northeast Arkansas, more for reasons of available forage than anything else. About a third of his men refused to surrender and went to Mexico.

1865 July 8: The South’s Economic Losses, Grant Weighs in on Black Suffrage Question, Howes and Hoyt Home from the War

Following are the smaller items from the July 8, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.  There is not a July 8th issue of The Polk County Press on the microfilm.

Items.

— The new Constitution of Missouri has been adopted by a majority of 1,662.

— Gen. Grant has issued an order for the mustering out of every soldier who can be spared.  [Ulysses S. Grant]

VERY UNPROFITABLE.—The New York Times makes estimates of the losses of the South in consequence of the rebellion at the fearful sum of five thousand eight hundred millions of dollars, made up as follows :

Twenty five hundred millions by loss of what was called slave property, nine hundred millions by ravages of war, nine hundred millions by loss of staple crops, (cotton, tobaco [sic], rice, sugar, &c.) five hundred millions of property sunk in Confederate debt, and one thousand millions by what must hereafter be paid by the South to liquidate principal and interest of the national debt.

  J. S. ELWELL, well known here, through his connection with the Hudson Star, has become a partner in the La Crosse Daily Republican.  Mr. ELWELL is an excellent editor.  He wields a racy and vigorous pen, and has good tact and judgment in the management of a paper.  La Crosse has secured the services of a live man, and we trust JOE will find the enterprise remunerative, and he and SEYMOUR “wax fat” together.

  Adj’t WM. HOWES, of the 4sd, is home, his Reg. having been mustered out.  He leaves a good record in the war.  He left here in the spring of ’61, in Co. B, 6th, was promoted to a Lieutenancy in the 30th, and afterwards made Adj’t of the 42d.  He has now returned unhurt, but of his companions who left here with him, how many “sleep the sleep that knows no earthly waking.”¹

  The Home Fair in Milwaukee, is being very largely attended, and will prove a complete success.

  Capt. FRANCIS HOYT, Co. A, 12th, is home on furlough.  The Capt. was with Sherman, in his grand marches, and his health is considerable impaired.  [William T. Sherman]

— Nine rebel Brigadier Generals have applied to the President for pardon.

— General Grant, in conversation with his friends, says that it is too soon to declare that the loyal blacks in the South shall not be allowed to vote.  Aside from the abstract right and the legal problem of what authority can confer or withhold the franchise—whether it be Congress or the States—the question may assume the shape of a political necessity.  The government and people may have to choose between keeping a standing army of 100,000 men, at an expense of $1000,000,000 a year to tax-payers, to support the white minority in the South against the white rebel majority, or of enfranchising the blacks and thereby enabling them to support the white loyalists.  Gen. Grant foresees that the suffrage question may take this form.

1.  From a poem entitled “Days That Are Gone Forever,” by George Wesley Atkinson (1845-1925), who became the 10th governor of West Virginia, serving from 1897 to 1901. Before that he served a term in the U.S. House of Representatives (1890-91).

1865 June 24: New Missouri Constitution “declares Missouri a Free State forever”

Part reporting, part editorial, this article was printed in the June 24, 1865, issue of The Polk County Press.  For more details on the 1865 Missouri constitution see “Constitution of 1865 — The Drake Constitution” on the Civil War in Missouri website.  They begin with a little history:

• In 1863, the Missouri General Assembly passed a gradual emancipation order. Over the next two years the order became increasingly unpopular.

• In 1865, in response to criticism of gradual emancipation, the General Assembly voted for a convention to be held to consider changes to the Missouri Constitution of 1820.

• The delegates would eventually write a completely new Constitution.

• Because Charles D. Drake was a vocal and uncompromising Radical Republican and an experienced lawyer, the mostly inexperienced delegates relied on him greatly in the formation of the new Constitution, which became known as the Drake Constitution.

• The convention lasted from January 6 to April 10, 1865.

The New Missouri Constitution.

There is now no doubt but what the new Missouri Constitution has been adopted by 5,000 majority.—We copy below some of the more important provisions of this instrument :

It declares Missouri a Free State forever.

It establishes the equality of all men before the law.

It prohibits legislation interfering with the personal rights of men on account of their color.

It declairs [sic] that Missouri shall ever remain a member of the American Union.

It excludes from the ballot box and from office, traitors, rebels, rebel sympathizers, guerilla [sic] marauders, bushwhackers, and their aiders and abettors.

It, in like manner excludes Knights of the Golden Circle, Sons of Liberty, and O. A. K.’s.

It, in like manner, excludes those who enrolled themselves as disloyal, or as Southern sympathizers, to avoid military duty.

It provides for an efficient registration of voters, thereby securing the exclusion of illegal voters.

It removes the rule requiring treason to be proved as any other crime.

It invites immigration from Europe, by extending the elective franchise to those persons of foreign birth, who have, more than one year before an election, declaired [sic] their intention according to law, to become citizens of the United States.

It forbids private, local and special legislation, which for thirty years has cursed that State, and brings the State under a uniform system of general laws.

It prohibits lotteries.

It forbids the legislature’s making compensation for emancipated slaves.

It stops the creation of corporations by special acts, with enormous powers, and requires all corporations to be formed under general laws.

It prohibits the creation, renewal, or extension of the charter of any bank of issue.

It protects the interests of the people, by imposing upon stockholders individual liability for the debts of corporations.

It secures an efficient system of common schools, for the free education of the children of the State.

It gives increased facilities for its own amendment, and allows the people a direct vote upon every amendment proposed.

Missouri under this constitution cannot fail to prosper, and will soon prove a formidable rival in commerce and internal improvement, among her Sister Free States.

1864 June 4: Battle of North Anna, Plus News from Other Fronts

A very brief summary of the week’s war news from both of our local newspapers for June 4, 1864, is followed by the “very latest” news from The Polk County Press.

The Overland Campaign consisted of several battles after Spotsylvania, including the Battle of North Anna on May 23-26.  It was a series of small engagements near the North Anna River in central Virginia.  After two days of skirmishing, the inconclusive battle ended when Union General Ulysses S. Grant ordered a movement to the southeast in the direction of the crossroads at Cold Harbor.

From The Prescott Journal:

THE NEWS.

The news from Gen. Grant is interesting as it shows his continued progress towards Richmond, and Lee’s [Robert E. Lee] movements for its defence, but as yet no great battle has taken place, although the armies must be in close proximity to each other.  Lee’s right is represented at Shady Grove, only three or four miles from Richmond, and a late dispatch says General Grant’s advance is only seven miles distant.  Grant says there is a prospect that Lee will make a stand north of the Chichahominy.  The crisis draws near, and we feel confident of continued and complete success.

From The Polk County Press:

The News.

The News still continues to be very cheering from the seat of war.  Gen. GRANT still wins. SHERMAN [William T. Sherman] has thus far been successful.  In another column will be found the important dispatches of the week, up to Thursday, which are the latest we are able to lay before our readers this week.

[Those dispatches follow:]

The Very Latest.

NEW YORK, May 30.— “Time’s” special says Ledley’s [sic]¹ brigade of the 10th regulars, 35th, 56th, 57th and 59th Massachusetts, and 14th regulars met with a repulse on crossing the North Anna.  They had crossed the river and were driving in the rebel skirmishers when a charge was made instantly from a concealed battery of four or six guns, and the battery opened a terrible fire of grape and cannister.  The brigade fell back to a cover in a piece of woods, when in the height of a thunder storm the rebels charged and drove our men towards the river, just as another brigade came up and checked the advance of the enemy.  Four hundred and fifty of the brigade were killed, wounded and missing.

Gen. Kilpatrick [Judson Kilpatrick], in a dispatch to his family at Buttermilk Falls, N. Y., says that, although his wounds are slight, they will compel him to give up his command, and his is, therefore, on his way home.  He was wounded near Summerville, Ga., while leading a cavalry charge in the rear of Johnston’s army.

Hunter [David Hunter] vice Sigel [Franz Sigel], has stripped himself for a fight.  Sigel’s apology for being beaten by Breckenridge [sic: John C. Breckinridge], was his train, which it took half his force to guard, while the other half was being licked.  Hunter, like Sherman, has disencumbered his army of these impediments, and tells his army they must live upon the enemy’s country—all which means rapid marches—where is not so obvious—perhaps to Lynchburg, to cooperate with Crook [George R. Crook] and Averill [sic: William W. Averell] in the capture of that place.

NEW YORK, May 30.

The “Times” special says :  Grant’s reconnaissance Wednesday showed the rebels in full force, and holding a powerful position in our immediate front, somewhat in advance of Little River.  The ground was also very favorable to him, and he had occupied every hour in fortifying.  If driven back from here even, he had the elaborately prepared line of South Anna to fall back upon.

Grant therefore determined to recross the North Anna, swing round to the left, over the Pamunky [sic], and leave Lee to enjoy his position.  A cavalry demonstration made strong diversion on the enemy while Grant’s movement took place, which proved successful—when it was accomplished the rebels were completely taken by surprise.

A “Herald” correspondent says a wounded rebel officer says their loss in the late battles reach thirty thousand.

NEW YORK, May 30.

The “Herald’s” special says there was considerable skirmishing Friday but no heavy fighting near Hanover Court House.  Grant’s movements are progressing well and rapidly.—Most of the causalities were among New England Regiments.

WASHINGTON, May 30, 9 A. M.

To Major-General Dix :

No official dispatches have been received from the army of the Potomac since my telegram of Saturday evening.

A telegram from Sherman, near Dallas, the 29th, reports that on Saturday an engagement occurred between the enemy and McPherson’s corps [James B. McPherson].  The enemy were driven back with a loss of 2,500 killed and wounded left in our hands, and about 200 prisoners.  Our loss is not over 300.

(Signed) E. M. STANTON [Edwin M. Stanton].
Secretary of War.

WASHINGTON, May 30, 3 P. M.

To Major-General Dix, N. Y.

A dispatch from General Grant has just been received, dated yesterday, (29th) at Hanovertown, which states that the army has successfully crossed over the Pamunkey, and now occupies a front about three miles south of the River.

Yesterday two divisions of our cavalry had an engagement with the enemy south of Howe’s store, driving him about a mile upon what appears to be his new line, and we will find out all about it to-day.  Our loss in the cavalry engagement was 300 killed and wounded, of whom but 44 are asserted to have been killed.

We have been driving the enemy, most of their killed and many of their wounded fell into our hands.

Another official dispatch dated yesterday P. M. at 2 o’clock, details the movements of the several corps then in progress, but up to that time there was no engagement.  Earlier dispatches from Headquarters had been sent but failed to reach Washington.

(Signed) E. M. STANTON.

ST. LOUIS, June 1.—A telegram to headquarters from Rolla, Mo., 30th, says a train of Union refugees from Jacksonport, Ark., under escort of seventy men from the 2d Missouri cavalry, was attacked at Salem, Ark., by 300 guerrillas, the entire train burnt, and about 80 men and some women killed.

On Friday last ten men of the detachment of the Second Wisconsin cavalry out on a scout from Rolla, becoming separated from the main body were surrounded by guerrillas and five were killed, the others making their escape.  The bodies of those killed were found stripped and their throats cut.

A gentleman just arrived from Little Rock represents all quiet in that direction.  Joe Shelby [Joseph O. Shelby] had left Brownsville about two weeks ago with a force estimated at from 1,500 to 3,000 for southwest Missouri.

Gen. West,² with several companies of cavalry, had been sent against him.  Shelby is represented as being well mounted, and had been joined with 500 cavalry in addition.

WASHINGTON, May 31, 8 P. M.

To Governor Lewis :

The department has received dispatches from Gen. Grant dated 6 o’clock this morning.

Yesterday morning his advanced corps was attacked by the enemy, who, after a sharp, short and decisive contest were repulsed.

Gen. Warren [Gouverneur K. Warren], at the date of the dispatch, held a position within seven miles of Richmond.

(Signed) E. M. STANTON

A portion of Gen. Butler’s [Benjamin F. Butler] forces at Bermuda Hundreds, not required for defensive operations, had been transferred, under command of Gen. Smith [William F. Smith], to the Army of the Potomac, and is supposed by this time to have formed a junction.

WASHINGTON, June 1— 7:30 A. M.

To Gen. Dix :

Have nothing from General Grant later than yesterday at 6 A. M.

An unofficial dispatch received here at four this morning, dated yesterday at Kingston, represents that Major Hopkins, of Gen. Stoneman’s staff [George Stoneman], came from the front this P. M., says rebels attacked at 7:30 this morning, and at 10 o’clock the affair was over.  The enemy was repulsed, and our line reached to the railroad at Marietta.  To accomplish this object has been for several days the purpose of General Sherman’s movements.  Additional forces and ample supplies can reach him.

E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.

Dispatches from Gen. Canby [Edward R.S. Canby] have been received to-day.  He is actively engaged in resupplying the troops brought back by Generals Steele [Frederick Steele] and Banks [Nathaniel P. Banks] and organizing the forces of the West Mississippi Division, which now comprises the departments of Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Gens. Rosecrans [William S. Rosecrans], Steele and Banks remain in command of their respective departments under the orders of Gen. Canby as division commander, his military relation being the same as formerly exercised by Gen. Grant, and now exercised by Gen. Sherman over the departments of the Ohio and Cumberland.

(Signed) E. M. STANTON.

FORTRESS MONROE, May 31.— Lieut. Gen Grant’s communication with the White House is complete and all works well.

Richmond papers of the 30th have been received here.  They have changed their views with regard to the military ability of General Grant and say they have been underrating him.  They say he is smarter than they had dreamed of, and manifest some fears in regard to the safety of Lee or rather as to his success in repelling the Yankee army.

1.  James Hewett Ledlie (1832-1882) worked as a civil engineer on the Erie Canal and in railroad construction before the Civil War. After the War started, he was appointed major of the 19th New York Infantry, which became the 3rd New York Artillery, and in December 1861 he was promoted to colonel. In December, 1862, he was promoted to brigadier general in command of the Artillery Brigade of the Department of North Carolina and served primarily in garrison positions with North Carolina coastal artillery. Just after the start of the Overland Campaign in 1864, Ledlie transferred to the Army of the Potomac and assumed command of a brigade in General Ambrose Burnside’s IX Corps. At the Battle of North Anna, a brigade under the drunken Ledlie was repulsed from an ill-conceived assault against a strong position at Ox Ford on May 24. During the Siege of Petersburg, Ledlie and his division drew the short straw to replace troops that had been trained to enter a crater to attack Confederate troops; his untrained troops were slaughtered while he stayed behind the lines drinking. He was dismissed from the army after a court of inquiry and formally resigned on January 23, 1865. After the War, Ledlie resumed his civil engineering career working for the Union Pacific’s construction of the transcontinental railroad.
2.  Joseph Rodman West (1822-1898) was born in New Orleans, grew up in Pennsylvania, was a captain attached to Maryland and District of Columbia Volunteers in the Mexican War, and then engaged in newspaper work in San Francisco, California. During the Civil War West jointed the 1st California Infantry as a lieutenant and was later promoted to colonel. He then was promoted to brigadier general of Volunteers. He spent much of his service in New Mexico and Arizona territories. In April 1864, West was ordered to Arkansas to take command of the 2nd Division, VII Corps, which he led through the Red River Campaign. In the fall of 1864, West fought against Confederate General Sterling Price. He next commanded the cavalry in the Department of the Gulf (May-June 1865). He commanded the 1st Division of Cavalry in the Military Division of the Southwest, composed of two small brigades (six regiments) of volunteer cavalry exempted from mustering out. He led the division from Shreveport, Louisiana, to San Antonio, Texas, in July 1865, for Reconstruction duty and as a counter to Mexican forces along the Rio Grande. West was mustered out of volunteer service as a brevetted major general in San Antonio on January 4, 1866. After the War, West was deputy United States marshal and auditor for customs in New Orleans (1867-1871) and a U.S. senator from Louisiana (1871-1877).

1863 May 9: The Polk County Press’ Coverage of Chancellorsville

Following is the main war news column from The Polk County Press of May 9, 1863.

The News.

On Monday the 27th ult. [April], Hooker’s army [Joseph Hooker] crossed the Rappahannock in four places.  The enemy were confounded.  We captured their pickets and took 400 prisoners.

The 11th, 12th, and 5th corps mov[e] towards Kelley’s [sic] Ford, and reached there Tuesday morning [April 28].  A brigade had been guarding the ford for two weeks.  We crossed on pontoons, superintended by Gen. Howard [Otis O. Howard].  No enemy was to be found except a few pickets.

Stoneman’s cavalry [George Stoneman] crossed the next morning [April 29].  The wagon trains were parked near Bank’s [sic: Banks’s] Ford, and it was evident a communication would be forced from there to the troops at Kelly’s Ford.

From 11 to 1 o’clock irregular firing was heard from the direction of Gorman, on the Rapidan.  It is supposed that the enemy are trying to check the rapid march of our troops.

At noon on Tuesday the 1st¹, 3d and 6th corps broke camp, and said at daylight on Wednesday the enemy’s pickets and reserves were captured, and two bridges built four miles below Fredericksburg.  Twenty men of the 11th Pennsylvania were wounded.

A third bridge was constructed and a sufficient force to hold the bridge crossed two miles further down.  Reynolds’ last corps [John F. Reynolds] constructed the bridge in the face of the enemy’s rifle pits, and effected a crossing.

The resistance was stubborn, but short.  Our artillery fire was too severe for the enemy who fled, leaving 87 prisoners from the 13th Georgia and 6th Louisiana regiments.

They report Jackson [Stonewall Jackson] as commanding the right wing.

Couch’s 2d division [Darius N. Couch] was in the rear of Bank’s [sic] Ford, with full facilities for crossing.  The corps which crossed at Kelly’s Ford are moving towards Chancellorville [sic], south of Fredericksburg.

Gen. Hooker’s headquarters are now in the saddle.

NEW YORK, May 4th.—The Tribune has just issued an extra as follows:

Our news by mail from the Rappahannock is up to Sunday morning [May 3].  At that time our left wing was in possession of Fredericksburg and of the first line of redoubts on the hill behind it, and was feeling its way to the second line.

The river was crossed and the redoubts carried with great ease and very slight loss of life.  The rebels had marched away in the directions of Chancellorville [sic] to attack our right wing, and were posted, leaving at first, 10,000, but subsequently not more than 5,000 to 7,000 in their works, as was ascertained by reconnoissance [sic] from Lowe’s balloon [T. S. C. Lowe].

The firing, both of musketry and cannonading, on the right in the direction of Chancellorville [sic], was very heavy.  The enemy had been forced to fight on ground of Hooker’s choosing, as he promised his soldiers.

It was believed in both wings that Stoneman’s expedition to cut off the Railroad between the rebels and Richmond, had proved successful, thus cutting off the only path of retreat.

SUFFOLK, May 4.—At nine o’clock yesterday morning Gen. Peck [John J. Peck] sent a force of infantry, cavalry and artillery across the Nansemond River at Suffolk, to make a reconnoissance. They advanced cautiously up the Old Petersburg turnpike, and when two miles out encountered the enemy in rifle pits thoroughly manned.  The 89th New york and 13th New Hampshire made a spirited and successful charge upon the rebel works, and carried them after a heavy resistance.  The enemy fell back out of range, leaving their dead and some wounded on the field.

Col. Ringgold² of the 103d New York regiment, was shot while leading his regiment in front, and died during the night.  The Chaplain of the 85th New York was wounded.

Advices from Cape Girardeau say the rebels under Marmaduke [John S. Marmaduke], after having their rear assaulted and suffering severe loss, finally escaped across the Whitewater river, burning all the bridges behind them.  They were disappointed by various raids in the direction of Chalk Bluff on the Arkansas line.  The result of this raid is reported a complete disaster and a cowardly flight before greatly inferior numbers.

NEW YORK, May 5.—The latest from Gen. Hooker’s army is just received from Washington.  The battle of Sunday [May 3] was renewed on Monday morning.  Gen. Sedgwick [John Sedgwick] had taken possession of Fredericksburg.

Eight hundred prisoners including an entire regiment, the 23d Georgia, were brought to Washington this morning and marched down Pennsylvania Avenue to the old Capitol prison.

Two officers, Major General Evans [Clement A. Evans], of South Carolina, and a Brigadier whose name was not learned, were prominent among the number.  Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee [Fitzhugh Lee] is a prisoner in Washington.

The news from Western Virginia after a brief lull, rises into significance once more.

Our latest advice says that Mulligan³ was repulsed near Falmount and the Baltimore and Ohio bridge at that point was entirely destroyed.  A large force of rebels now occupy Morgantown.  The Baltimore and Ohio railroad suffered severely.  The bridges at Fairmount and Cheat River were blown up.

Advices from Vicksburg report that Gen. Sherman [William T. Sherman], with a fleet of transports accompanied by gunboats had landed and made an attack on the rebel batteries.

Gen. Burnside’s army [Ambrose E. Burnside] has crossed the Cumberland, attacked the enemy, and drove them before him.  We may look for stirring news from this direction before long.

The St. Paul Pioneer of the 6th says:  News was received in this city last evening that three men belonging to Company D., Eighth regiment, and a cattle drover named Foot of St. Cloud, were killed by the Indians on the Fort Ambercrombie route, at a place called Old Crossing, about thirty miles this side of the Fort, on Saturday last.

The St. Paul Press of the 7th has the following:

Hooker has made no progress but holds nearly the same position near Chancellorville [sic].  He is entrenching himself and waiting for the reinforcements which to the number of 80,000 were on their way to him, under Heintzleman [Samuel P. Heintzleman].  Sedgwick’s corps, too, had been driven from the Fredericksburg redoubts which they had won by such splendid bravery, by overwhelming masses of the enemy, and having recrossed the Rappahannock, is also on its way to strengthen Hooker’s right.

1.  The 1st of May 1863 was a Friday.  This Tuesday was April 28.
2.  Benjamin Ringgold (abt. 1827-1863) was killed on May 3, 1863, before Suffolk “while gallantly leading his regiment into action.” (Col. Ringgold’s Funeral, New York Times, May 14, 1863).
3.  James A. Mulligan (1829-1864) was colonel of the 23rd Illinois Infantry, an “Irish Brigade.” He commanded the Union forces at the First Battle of Lexington (of the Hemp Bales, in Missouri), and later distinguished himself in other engagements in the Eastern theater. At this point in time he was assigned to the Middle Department. On July 3, 1864, Mulligan will distinguish himself in the Battle of Leetown in Virginia, and late in July he will be mortally wounded at the Second Battle of Kernstown.

1863 January 14 and 17: Small Articles for the Week

Here are the week’s smaller articles from both the January 14 Prescott Journal and the January 17 Polk County Press.

The first article from the Journal is about the Battle of Springfield, which took place on January 8, 1863. What doesn’t get mentioned here is that the fighting was urban and house-to-house, which was rare in the Civil War. The battle was a Union victory.

From The Prescott Journal, January 14, 1863:

Good News from Missouri.
Rebels Repulsed at Springfield.

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 12.

Late last night, General Curtis [Samuel R. Curtis] received dispatches from Col. Crable, commanding Springfield, Missouri, that the rebels were repulsed in every advance, and force held the place.

We lost 17 killed; the number of the wounded is ascertained.  We buried 35 rebels, more were taken off the field.  They left a number of wounded on our hands.

But little of Springfield was destroyed.  The rebels almost entirely destroyed the telegraph between Springfield and London Springs.  Curtis has three columns of troops after the enemy.

Jefferson on Habeas Corpus.

Gov. Seymour¹ is exceedingly severe upon the President for suspending the writ of habeas corpus.  A gentleman named Thomas Jefferson, supposed to be quite as good a Democrat, and possibly even better authority than Mr. Seymour, fully sustained Gen. Wilkinson in suspending the write of habeas corpus in New Orleans at the time of Aaron Burr’s expedition, saying many years afterward in reference thereto: “On great occasions, every good officer must be ready to risk himself in going beyond the strict letter of the law when the public preservation requires it.  His motives will be a justification of the act.”  If this be true of so small an affair as Burr’s conspiracy, what shall be said when a gigantic Rebellion in perils the very life of the nation.—N. Y. Tribune.

The Intelligence, not our venerable contemporary in this city, but a Maryland newspaper, says of Gov. Hicks [Thomas H. Hicks], the newly appointed U.S. Senator from that State:

Only a few days since he remarked in our hearing, that We can never have a stable Government and a peaceful Union as long as slavery exists in the country.

General Rosecrans [William S. Rosecrans] never entertained any doubt of the Murfreesboro battle.  After the rebels were gone, he was complimented for his tenacity.  “Yes,” said he, ”  I suppose you know Bragg [Braxton Bragg] is a good dog, but Hold fast is better.”  The lads call him “Old Hold-fast.”  They will fight for him now, even more gloriously than before.  All officers who deserted the field will be dismissed the service.

President Lincoln [Abraham Lincoln] at the request of Senator Sumner [Charles Sumner], gave that gentleman the pen with which he signed the Emancipation Proclamation, for transmission to Geo. Livermore of Cambridge, Mass., the well known antiquarian and anti-slavery writer.

A fellow that has stolen as many horses as John Morgan need have no fear that even his worst enemies will call him a one horse concern—Louisville Journal.

M. S. GIBSON, of Hudson, has been discharged from his office of Paymaster; cause ill health.

The capital stock in trade of the opposition party, is making a fuss over summary arrests.  During all this war, no man has been arrested or confined, who would take the oath of allegiance to the Government.  Every man who will not do this, whether in Wisconsin or South Carolina, deserves something worse than summary arrest.

— There is one test of unconditional loyality [sic] that never fails: When you find a man so intent on finding fault with the loyal Government that he has no worse wrath to bestow on a conspiracy to break up the Union and destroy the Republic, set him down as a doubtful patriot.

No man, whose heart is in the right place, will permit his hostility to be diverted from the rebellion to those who are fighting it.  He who thinks it a great crime to arrest a babbler of disloyal sentiments without “due process of law” than to strike down the flag of his country, will bear vigorous watching.

— An officer in one of the colored regiments in Louisiana, says in a recent letter: “You would be surprised at the progress the blacks make in drill and all the duties of sodiers [sic].  I find them better disposed to learn, more orderly and cleanly, both in their persons and quarters, than the whites.  Their fighting qualities have not yet been tested on a large scale, but I am satisfied that, knowing as they do that they will receive no quarter at the hands of the rebels, they will fight to the death.  As an old Democrat, I felt a little repugnance at having any thing to do with the negroes but having got fairly over that, am in the work.  They are just as good tools to crush the rebellion with as can be got.  There are three regiments in service: the first is composed of freemen, the second has some that were slaves, while the latter is composed almost wholly of the latter class.”

There is a universal growl of dissatisfaction among the butternut portion of the Democratic press and party,² because the President is run by the radicals.  Every well informed man knows this to be false—knows that his policy has, at least until very recently, been in opposition to the wishes of those who placed him in power.

The Emancipation Proclamation was wrung from the President only by the pressure of an absolute military necessity.  This fact is known, and yet the issuing of that Proclamation is claimed as proof that this war is waged only for the benefit of the negro.  The fact is there is a class of politicians who stagger at no misrepresentation by which they can strengthen the feeling of opposition to the Administration.

EDITOR JOURNAL :—There is one little necessary fact that the families of soldiers or Justices of Peace should be made acquainted with.  All soldiers’ names are recorded with the first name in full ;  and the Secretary of State tells me that many of the certificates for State pay come there made out with just the middle names.  For instance, William Atwood—when his right name is Charles W. Atwood.  The consequence is, when the Sec’y looks the list over he finds they do not agree, and therefore they cannot be paid.  If you can devise some way to get it through their craniums it will not only save them some trouble but the Sec’y of State much annoyance.

Yours truly,
LT. L. DOW GUNN. [30th Wisconsin Infantry, Company F]

From The Polk County Press, January 17, 1863:

 — Col. MURPHY [Robert C. Murphy] has been placed under arrest on account of the disgraceful affair at Holly Springs.

— LUTE TAYLOR in announcing his marriage says “that the parties are doing as well as could be expected.”  Bully for LUTE.  [Lute Taylor, you will recall, is editor of The Prescott Journal.]

— We continue the rebellion record on the second page, giving the leading events of 1862.  It will be remembered we published the record of last year’s operation in a like form last winter.  Cut it out and put it in your scrap book.  It will be useful for future reference.³

— We shall give a list of the names of all who had enlisted from this county in a few weeks, both in Minnesota and Wisconsin regiments designating by marks those killed, wounded, discharged, prisoners, and those remaining in the service, also the number of the regiment to which they are attached, and there whereabouts.

— We see by a correspondence in the Milwaukee Sentinel, that the 4th Wisconsin regiment, have again embarked for Vicksburg.  The letter states that they were then on board a transport bound up the Mississippi, and there is not much doubt but what they were in the recent fight at the rebel stronghold.  From private letters received in this place we learn that the Hudson City Guards were with the expedition.

BIG APPROPRIATIONS.—The appropriation bills for this session of Congress will amount in all to about $1,000,000,000.  That for the army already in is over $700,000,000, while the naval bill will ask for $70,000,000 more.

— The President has approved the bill admitting the new State of Western Virginia into the Union.  This is a just act, and by it another tract of our beautiful country becomes free soil.

A “JOKE ON MURPHY.”—Prentice of the Louisville Journal closes up an article on the surprise of Col. MURPHY [Robert C. Murphy] at Holly Springs as follows:

“That Murphy must be a small Potato.”⁴

1.  Horatio Seymour (1810-1886) was the 18th governor of New York for 1853-1854 and again from 1863-1864. Politically he was a Democrat and was one of the most prominent Democratic opponents of President Lincoln. Seymour was the Democratic Party’s nominee for U.S. president in 1868; he lost to Ulysses S. Grant.
2.  Butternut was a slang term for a Confederate soldier. A butternut Democrat was one who at least was anti-war, if not actually a supporter of the Southern cause during the Civil War. It was also a way to smear any Democratic politician.
3.  You can find the list for 1862 in the “Battles” tab at the top of the blog. The Polk County Press is not available for 1861, so the list for that year is not available.
4.  “Murphy” is slang for a potato.

1862 June 1: “We shall be at Corinth in two or three days”

A letter from Ed Levings with the 12th Wisconsin Infantry’s Company (Lyon Light Guards) steaming down the Missouri River toward Saint Louis and then on to Corinth, not knowing that Corinth is now in the hands of the Union.  The original letter is in the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO), in the University Archives and Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

On Board the Steamer, Sioux City
Missouri River, June 1^st, 1862

Dear Father and Mother;

                                              I presume you are particularly anxious to hear from us just now and I hasten to write to you.  We are steaming down the river and are now about 50 miles from St. Louis.  We left Ft Leavenworth last Thursday, the 29th at 4 P.M. and the distance to the mouth is 499 miles.  We enjoy that trip very much,  as if was along this river the Rebellion has raged.  The weather is cool & pleasant.  The scenery is not as fine as that of the Upper Mississippi, but it is not without interest.  There are many fine cites & towns, for instance, Lexington, Miami, Glasgow, Booneville, Jefferson City, the Capitol [sic] of this State, Washington, and St Charles.  We could not see the old battle ground of Lexington as the City is elevated  and the battle was fought back of the City, but we could see the deep ravine, leading down through the city to the river, by which Price [Sterling Price] cut off the supply of water to our troops, and the place where he threw wagon load after wagon load of his own slain forces into the river to prevent his loss becoming known.  The battle ground at Booneville, where Gen. Lyon [Nathaniel Lyon—for whom the Lyon Light Guards were named] whipped out the Rebels is not visible from the river.  Jefferson City has some fine buildings particularly the Capital, also a railroad running to St. Louis.  For 40 or 50 miles below the city high bluff line the rivers and the cars run close to the water, but the country bordering on the river is mostly low but well wooded.  The river is high and the current strong—stronger than that of the Miss.  The river in many places is full of logs and trees sticking up out of the water and the water is constantly washing the banks & trees away at a great rate and new land is forming on the side opposite where the current sets against the banks, so that the channel is ever changing.  The boat is very heavily loaded.  The right wing of the Regt., the 8th Wis Battery, over 200 mules and horses and all our provisions & munitions of war are on board, and we move slowly.  The soldiers are all over the boat and sleep where they can find a places.  Our place is against the Pilot house.  The river water is very  a dirt yellow, and use it to make our coffee—is supplies the place of cream . What would you think, Mother, to see the bottom of your cup covered with fine sand.  The inhabitants cheered us all along, but none more loudly and warmly than the negroes.  Sometimes you could see a timid slave emerging from the woods or stealing along the fences to get sight of us.  We always cheered them and they always responded.  Once or twice we heard cheers for Jeff Davis. I saw a couple of women do that and then run into the house as though they expected a storm of bullets after them.  We were not near them then.  I would like to see Kansas City burnt to-the-ground.  It is has been [_]ynal to Weston for secession and Platte Co is the worst Co on the border.  We expect to be at St Louis to-day.

9 o’clock P.M. —— We are now opposite St Louis on Bloody Island taking a little rest preparatory to leaving for Corinth.  The Capt. says we take the boat at 8 this evening so you see we are going right on.  The papers state the rebels have evacuated Corinth, retreating 70 miles.  Halleck [Henry W. Halleck] will be more than rough for them this time I guess.  St Louis looks finely from the river which is ¾ mile across to the island.  There are many fine steamers here.  Opposite us there is a gun boat building and the plating is now being put on.  It looks like a huge spider watching for its prey.  It is Sunday & I can hear the church-bells sounding, while I am sitting on my knapsacks in a beautiful grove.  My thoughts recur to you & home and I wonder if we shall again be permitted to enjoy the peace & quiet of a Sabbath-day with you, at home, but God only knows.  I wish we could see you, but we can not [sic] now — we must go and I feel assured you can bid us “God speed.”  We are anxious to go and do something if we can for the cause.  Pray for us, that not that we may survive the storm of battle & return to you safe, but that there may be a preparation of heart for any fate.  I know you do and it is a source of great pleasure to me, and God bless you and guide you through all the sorrows and trials of this life to a life in heaven.  We shall be at Corinth in two or three days, nothing intervening.  Direct answer to this to St Louis or via St Louis, and write very soon.

Yours affectionately,
Edwin

Edwin Levings letter of June 1, 1862, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls