1865 February 18: The Battle of Rivers’ Bridge and Other Small Items of News

Following are the smaller items from the February 18, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.  The February 18th issue of The Polk County Press is missing from the microfilm.

The first item refers to the Battle of Rivers’ Bridge¹ on February 3, 1865.

Sherman’s Movement.

The rebels admit that Gen. Sherman’s [William T. Sherman] forces have crossed the Edisto River, which was the line held by Gen. Hardee [William J. Hardee], the enemy disappearing rapidly before the advance of his invincible columns.—He has flanked Branchville on all side, and a report states that Branchville is now in the possession of the Union forces.   All railroad communications with Charleston are cut off save that from Wilmington, and this will soon be.—Sherman appears to be leisurely moving through the state, without serious opposition, and effecting by strategy the most important result.

Appointed.

J. S. ELWELL [Joseph S. Elwell], formerly of the Hudson Star, well known to our readers, has been appointed A. Q. M. with the rank of Captain. Joe has done the Union cause good service, and the appointment was well deserved.

  There has been a strong effort made to remove the Headquarters of the Provost Marshall of the District From La Crosse to Sparta.  An order to that effect was received, but has been countermanded.  Its present location is satisfactory to the people here.

The Festival.

The Festival given by the ladies of the Soldier’s Aid Society here, last Tuesday evening, was a perfect success.  The attendance was large and receipts were $140 over all the expenditures.

Dr. J. C. Pride.

Dr. J. C. PRIDE,² formerly a resident of this city, but for several years in the service, died a short time since, in the army.  His funeral sermon will be preached at Hastings tomorrow.

  The soul of old John Brown, which has been “marching on” for some time, is said to have commenced moving at the double quick, on the passage of the Constitutional amendment. —Chicago Journal.  

Resolution.

RESOLVED, By the Common Council of the city of Prescott, that the Mayor and clerk be and are hereby authorized to leave orders to the amount of twenty-four hundred dollars ($2,400,) to pay bounty to volunteers under call of the President for 300,000 Volunteers, dated Dec. 19, 1864.

.                               .G. A. DILL, Mayor
W. R. GATES, City Clerk.

Notice is hereby given, that the foregoing resolution was passed by the Common Council of the city of Prescott Feb. 9, 1865.

W. R GATES, City Clerk.

AN INDICATION.—A bill is pending in the rebel Congress to impress slaves and free negroes to be employed as laborers, teamsters, &c., in the army.  It is generally understood that JEFF. DAVIS intends to arm them after they are secured. An amendment in the form of a proviso was moved to the bill, that in no case should such slaves or free negroes have arms placed in their hands, or be used as soldiers. It was tabled by the decided vote of ayes 50, noes 28.  [Jefferson Davis]

Dr. Orrin T. Maxson had been captain of Company A of the 12th Wisconsin Infantry—Prescott’s Lyon Light Guards.  You may remember that Edwin Levings, also of Company A, wrote his parents on June 18, 1863, asking them to send 3 boxes of Brandreth pills.  Maxson is now home in Prescott and selling those same Brandreth’s Pills:

A UNIVERSAL MEDICINE.—By what we eat, by the air we breathe, or by the water we drink, we can be made sick ;  or by fatigue, or from debilily [sic] induced by heat, because these defects end by producing impurity of blood.  To regain health we must parify [sic] the blood, by the organs of the stomach and bowels ;  these organs must be continued in the regular performance of that duty which nature has assigned them, and should there be any impediment, to what does experience point ?  To BRANDRETH’S PILLS, which cannot injure, and which will surely restore the bowels to the regular performance of their antics.

The dyspeptic, the billious will find them a treasure of health, and the same may be said to all who are sick in any way,—take Brandreth’s Pills and be cured.  Sold by O. T. MAXSON, Prescott, and by all respectable dealers in medicine.

1.  Also known as Salkehatchie River, Hickory Hill, Owen’s Crossroads, Lawtonville, and Duck Creek.
2.  John C. Pride, Jr. (ca. 1825-1865) had been a dentist. He served first in Company F of the 3rd Minnesota Infantry, from September 27, 1861, to May 25, 1862, when he was discharged for a disability. He then joined the Chicago Mercantile Battery. He died February 4, 1865, at the Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. (Anacostia), and is buried in the hospital’s West Cemetery. He left a wife (Minerva), a son (Walter), and a daughter (Minnie).

1864 October 8: News of Local Soldiers, Local Union Meetings, and an Interesting Bounty Jumper

Following are the smaller items from the October 8, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal and The Polk County Press.

From The Prescott Journal:

  We have received an interesting letter from WILLIE HATCH, giving an account of the operations of the Battery he was attached to during the late campaign and capture of Atlanta.  [William H. Hatch, from Prescott, 10th Battery Wisconsin Light Artillery]

  GEO. DRESSER, Co. M, 2d Wis. Cavalry, is home on furlough.  George’s health is poor, but his grit is good.

  We were in error last week in stating that Capt. MAXSON was home on furlough.  His time has expired and he is home to stay.  The Capt. has been a faithful and efficient officer, and can look back with well earned pride on the part he has taken in this war.  [Orrin T. Maxson]

  The remains of Capt. CHAS. P. HYATT arrived here last Wednesday morning.  The funeral exercises will be held at 11 o’clock, A. M., to morrow, (Sunday.)

Union Meetings.

Union Meetings will be held at

Oak Grove, Wednesday evening, Oct. 12
River Falls, Thursday         ”         Oct. 13
Clifton,        Saturday          ”         Oct. 15

Union Clubs will be formed at each of these meetings. Speakers will be in attendance.

.       .By order of the
Union County Committee.

  Thirty-five teams, containing a little over 200 persons, 120 of them being voters, went from here to the Mass Meeting at Hastings last Tuesday.—Some of the teams were from Clifton and Oak Grove, and Hosen Bates and Mr. Tubbs each came with a four-horse team well loaded.  Stand out of the way grumblers and little Mackerels.—The Union clans are beginning to rally.

  The Lincoln Club in this city, holds its meetings every Friday evening, and is doing a good work.  Union Clubs should be organized in each of the towns.

Union Mass Meeting.

We are not able to announce the day of the Grand Union Mass Meeting to be held here, but it will probably be on the 12th or 18th instant.  Senator TIM. O. HOWE and Judge LEVI HUBBELL, of Milwaukee, will speak.  The Great Western Band will be in attendance.

Let the people prepare to attend.  It is expected to make this the largest political demonstration ever made in the Northern part of the State.

CONVALESCENT SOLDIERS IN HOSPITALS TO BE FURLOUGHED BEFORE ELECTION.—Surgeon General BARNES has issued an order to the Superintendents of Hospitals, directing them to permit all soldiers able to travel, and yet unfit for duty, to visit their homes and remain, until after the Presidential Election.  As the order is general, and makes no exceptions, there can be no ground for complaint if the “straws” do not show the wind coming from a quarter to suit the Copperheads.

  Imagine SHERIDAN addressing his army beyond Winchester : “Boys, I am requested by the Chicago Democratic Convention to say to you that after your ‘four years of failure to restore the Union by the experiment of war,’ the ‘sympathy of the Democratic party is heartily and earnestly extended to you.’ ”—“Beyond Winchester” would be a mighty unsafe place for the Chicago Convention about that time.  [Philip H. Sheridan]

  A man is known by the company he keeps. DON CARLOS BUELL and FITZ JOHN PORTER are fast friends of McCLELLAN, GRANT, SHERMAN, FARRAGUT, BUTLER, LOGAN, HOOKER, BURNSIDE—all the men who are at present fighting the battles of the country—are for Mr. LINCOLN [Abraham Lincoln], regarding the policy he is pledged to as the only safe and ration one.

[Don Carlos Buell, Fitz John Porter, George B. McClellan, Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, David G. Farragut, Benjamin F. Butler, John A. Logan, Joseph Hooker, Ambrose E. Burnside — all can be found in the Military Men Cast of Characters]

THE POSTMASTER GENERALSHIP.¹—The Cincinnati Gazette says Gov. DENNISON has decided to accept the position of Postmaster General.  [William Dennison]

From The Polk County Press:

UNION MEETINGS.—Union Meetings are in full blast in all parts of the State.  The people turn out in large numbers, and the enthusiasm for Lincoln & Johnson exceeds that of the campaign of 1860.  Wisconsin is down for a larger majority for the Union Ticket this fall than ever before.  [Andrew Johnson]

McCLELLAN CLUB.—We understand that the Democrats of this village have formed a McClellan Club.

— The 1st Wisconsin Regiment, whose term of service has expired, is to have a grand reception on their return, at Milwaukee, given by the ladies of the city.

PERSONAL.—We had the pleasure of welcoming back Lieut. OSCAR CLARK, and private SAMUEL EMORY, of the 10th Wisconsin Battery, on Monday last.

LIEUT. CLARK, and a few of his men are on a twenty day furlough, and will return the first of next week.  The 10th Battery and the Polk Co. “boys in blue,” have seen hard fighting, and have gained a splendid reputation in the army of the Tennessee.  [Oscar A. Clark]

Sergt. MOSES T. CATLIN of the battery left Tuesday morning for Madison.

SPEECH AT TAYLOR’S FALLS.—There was a Democratic Speech at Taylor’s Falls last week.  Quite a large party attended from this place.

Hon. IGNATIUS DONNELLY, candidate for Congress in the 2d District of Minn., will speak at Taylor’s Falls on the 17th, evening.  A large delegation may be expected from this village.

UNION MEETING AT HASTINGS.—There was a grand Union Meeting at Hastings, Minn., last Tuesday, and it is estimated that 2,000 people were present.  Some thirty-five teams loaded with the “true blue,” in all 300, went from Prescott.  The procession presented a magnificent appearance, with horses appropriately trimed [sic] with flags, and banners floating to the breeze.  Speeches were made by Senators Ramsey and Wilkinson.—Music by the Great Western Band of St. Paul.  Senator Doolittle, of our State, was expected to be present in the evening.  [James R. Doolittle]

MARK A. FULTON.—We neglected to announce in our last issue, that MARK A. FULTON, Esq., of Hudson, is the Union candidate for Member of the Assembly for the St. Croix and Pierce Co. District.

A better nomination could not have been made.  Mr. FULTON, is a leading business man, and thoroughly believes in the policy now being carried out by Sherman, Sheridan and Grant.—He will be elected by a large majority.

BOLTING.—The Union men of Chisago County, Minnesota, have bolted the regular Assembly nomination, and adopted a new ticket.  The result will probably be to turn the District over to a Democratic Representative in the next Legislature.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.—Ex-Governor Dennison was this afternoon sworn into office and entered upon the duties as Postmaster General.¹

— It is reported that Admiral Farragut is abdut [sic] to be assigned to a new command on the Atlantic coast—probably for the reduction of Wilmington, N. C.

— The great monitor Dictator, for several months past under construction in New York, is nearly completed, and will proceed on the first of October on a secret expedition somewhere in the south.  Her destined service is said to be of such a momentous character that no time will be permitted to make a trial trip.—N. Y. Times.

— W. W. McCracken, formely [sic] a member of the Assembly, from the northern district of this State, died recently in Missouri, in the military service—Madison State Journal.

— Gens. Grant, Sherman, Rosecrans, McPherson, Sheridan, Keitz [?], Gerrard [sic], Weitzel, Crook and Gillmore were all born in Ohio.

[William S. Rosecrans, James B. McPherson, Kenner Garrard, Godfrey Weitzel, George R. Crook, Quincy A. Gillmore — all can be found in the Military Men Cast of Characters]

— The Country to Geo. B. McClellan :

“Are you for peace or war ?”
McClellan :     “Yes.”

— The re-election of Lincoln is no longer a matter of doubt ; the only question is how large shall his majority be.

— The rebels say that the Yankees have three full brigades of negro troops at Chattanooga.

A Lively Bounty Jumper.

Private Samuel W. Downing, alias “John W. Ball,” Co. H, 4th Maryland Vol., who had deserted and re-enlisted seventeen times, was shot at Annapolis last week. Since July 1863, when he deserted first, he has enlisted and deserted seventeen times, and had received as bounty or substitute money a sum total of $7,550. He operated in six different States.

1.  Until 1971 the U.S. postmaster general was a member of the President’s cabinet.

1864 October 1: List of Drafted Men From Polk County, Death of Charles P. Hyatt, Promotion of David C. Fulton, Union Rally at Hudson

Following are the smaller items from our two newspapers that appeared in the issues of October 1, 1864.

From The Polk County Press:

The Draft in Polk County.

ST. CROIX FALLS, Wis. }
Sept. 18th 1864 }

FRIEND SAM :—The following is a list of names of the Drafted men in Polk County, under the last call.—Yours truly, S. J. VINCENT, Dep. Provost Marshal.

TOWN OF ST. CROIX FALLS.

G. H. Peterson, Alick Bildoo, Geo. Walton, Thomas Connelly, Robert Clendening, Micheal Kelly, Stephen P. Clark, Wm. Murphy.

TOWN OF FARMINGTON.

D. G. Tewksbury, Alfred Turcott, Wm. Wright, Peter Cunot, Gottleib Boyle, Crocker F. Nelson, Parker Tewksbury, Frederick Kuiser, Andrew Fee, Henry Demling, Leopold Sticklee, Veit Griger, Willis Scott, Oliver Campbell, Julius Dohm. John Demling.

TOWN OF LINCOLN.

Hiram Fay, W. Parkers, B. M. Lane, H. H. Wilson.

TOWN OF ALDEN.

A. H. Connor, B. H. Connor, P. H. Wilson, Chas. Vassan, Louis Anderson, Joseph Parslow.

FOR THE POTOMAC.—A  private letter from Sherman’s army states that the 14th and 20th Army Corps are under orders to join Grant, and that Gen. Thomas will go forward with them as commander.—St. Paul Pioneer [William T. Sherman, Ulysses S. Grant, George H. Thomas]

— The Supreme Court of New Hampshire have unanimously decided the soldiers’ voting bill to be a valid and binding law without the signature of the Governor, the veto message of the Governor having been returned to the State Legislature one day to late.

— Despatches from Farragut at Mobile state that all is going well.  [David G. Farragut]

— Governor Brown, of Georgia, has issued an order withdrawing the militia from Hood’s army.  [Joseph E. Brown, John Bell Hood]

BIG GUNS.—A National Salute of 100 guns was tired at St. Paul on Wednesday last in honor of Sheridan’s great victory.  [Philip H. Sheridan]

FREE SPEECH.—We understand that there will be a meeting at the school house, this Friday evening to discuss politics.  Men of all parties are invited to come out and talk.

DEMOCRATIC SPEECH.—Judge JOEL FOSTER of River Falls addressed the citizens of Osceola and vicinity on Thursday evening at the School House. We have not space for comments in this issue.

A GOOD APPOINTMENT.—We notice that Gov. LEWIS has appointed Captain DAVID C. FULTON, 30th regiment, as Major 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, now being raised in this State. This is a merited promotion.  [John T. Lewis]

THE UNION MASS MEETING AT HUDSON.—

Last Saturday was a glorious day with the Union men of the St. Croix. There was a rousing meeting at Hudson, the largest political gathering ever congregated in the Valley. The people were out in all their majesty—numbering upwards of 2,500. The procession, formed of the different delegations present reached over a mile. Banners inscribed with patriotic emblems were held to the breeze in every direction. The glorious old flag of the free—the Star Spangled Banner—floated from staffs in all parts of the city. The city was ablaze with enthusiasm—the men were out—the women and children were out—and the “people were there.”

The speeches contained the right ring.  Senator RAMSEY [Alexander Ramsey] of Minnesota opened and gave one of his excellent, sound and patriotic addresses.  He was followed by Mr. JONES of Anoka, who, if we may judge by the bright faces and tremendious [sic] cheers, gave his listeners entire satisfaction.  Then followed that indomitable old war horse Gov. STEPHEN MILLER, of Minnesota, who, in his hard hits and plain truths carried his listeners away with him, through and through the lines of the enemy, storming their positions, carrying their strong bulwarks, and finally bringing them back to the duty they woe their country—and to themselves.  As all remarked who knew him ‘Old Steve’ out done himself.

The Speech of the whole, was by Hon. WILLIAM WINDOM,¹ at the Court House, in the evening. The house was closely packed by an intellegent [sic] and enthusiastic audience.

We cannot speak too highly of the whole affair. There was music by the North Western Band of St. Paul, bonfires, martial music and everything else calculated to enliven and make the occasion glorious.

We might speak of the different delegations which came from River Falls, Prescott, Stillwater, Osceola, and the different towns in St. Croix County, but we have not time. Tat the meeting will hear good fruit, we do not doubt. It was a gathering of Union men to shake hands, take courage, and fight the cause of our country with renewed zeal.

— Hon. Montgomery Blair has resigned his seat in the Cabinet, and his place has been offered to Ex-Govenor Dension of Ohio.

From The Prescott Journal:

Death of Captain Hyatt. 

Another brave soldier has gone !  Captain CHAS. P. HYATT died in Hospital at Philadelphia, Sept. 22d, from a wound received at the battle of the Weldon Railroad. It was supposed until a few days since, that he was improving and would recover, with the loss of a leg but he has gone.

Capt. HYATT leaves an untarnished reputation, as a gentleman and a soldier. It is enough to say, that in the “Iron Brigade.” he won his way from the ranks to a Captaincy, and was beloved as a man and trusted as an officer by all his heroic comrades.

Capts. CONVERSE, HUTCHINS AND HYATT—It seems but a few days ago that they were with us, having honorably served from the first, and re-enlisted through their desire for the Nation’s safety and success. No more will they lead the columns to the perilous charge, and hold them unflinching in the face of death. They are gone ; but their memories are sacred, and their example remains as a guide and an inspiration to us who knew their worth so well.  [Rollin P. Converse, William W. Hutchins]

The Union Rally at Hudson. 

The Union Rally at Hudson  last Saturday, was the largest and most enthusiastic meeting ever held in the Valley. Full 2,500 people were in attendance, and were addressed in the afternoon by Senator Ramsey, Gov. Miller, and others and in the evening, by Hon. Win. Windom.

 It was a proud day for the Union men of the St. Croix Valley.  The Great Western Band discoursed music ; everywhere a profusion of banners and patriotic mottoes were displayed ;  the speakers were equal to the occasion ;  the arrangements were all made and conducted in fine style by the Union Club of Hudson ;  and everyone left elated with the exhibition of feeling there manifested.

The Union men of this county will duplicate that demonstration about the middle of October.

Fremont’s Withdrawal

Gen. FREMONT has published a letter withdrawing his name from the canvas as a candidate for President. He does this because he fears that if three candidates are in the field, Gen. McClellan may be elected to the Presidency, and that, he would consider the triumph of the pro slavery party. A peril so dangerous to the Republic, must be avoided, and therefore he patriotically withdraws his name as a candidate, which will add one more influence to secure the election of LINCOLN and JOHNSON.—Husdson Star and Times.  [John C. Frémont, George B. McClellan]

  Montgomery Blair has resigned his position in the Cabinet.  His successor is not yet appointed.

  Capt. D. C. FULTON, of the 30th, has been appointed Major in the Regiment of Heavy Artillery, now being raised in this State.  Major FULTON is an excellent officer, and we are glad that he is assigned to a place where he will see active service.

  The re-election of Lincoln is no longer a matter of doubt ;  the only question is how large shall his majority be.  [Abraham Lincoln]

PERSONAL—Capt. MAXSON [Orrin T. Maxson] has returned home on furlough.  His health is poor.

— CHAS. TICKNOR, Co. A. 12th, has returned home, having served out his three years.

ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday last, during the firing at Saint Paul, in honor of the recent victories, Mr. EPH. MINER,² who enlisted recently from Oak Grove, lost both arms by the explosion of a cannon.  He has since died.

1.  William Windom (1827-1891) served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota (1859-1869), in the U.S. Senate (1870-1883), and as the Secretary of the Treasury (1881, 1889-1891).  For those of you old enough to remember him, this William Windom was the great-grandfather of the American actor William Windom (1923-2012; The Farmer’s Daughter, My World and Welcome to It, Murder She Wrote).
2.  Eph. Miner was never mustered into service and is not in the official roster of any Wisconsin regiment. He did not die, as we will learn in another small item on November 5, 1864.

1864 September 15: “Madame Rumor says Sherman is ordered to push out after Hood as soon as possible”

The original letter is in the Edwin D. Papers (River Falls Mss BO), in the University Archives and Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Camp of the 12th Wis Vols.
Near Atlanta Ga  Sept 15th / ’64

My Dear Parents ;

                                  Yours of the 1st inst. was rec’d day before yesterday ;  also, that of Cousin Lottie.  As I have not yet mail’d my last letter to you I will write another to send off with it, so here it is — as follows.

We are all enjoying ourselves firstrate.  Our camp, which is beautifully located on the East side of the R. R. and equidistant from Atlanta and Eastport, is in the shade of small pine, hickory, and oak trees and near a little creek, along which are numerous springs of most excellent water.  Everything about camp has the air of neatness and order.  The breastworks in front are finished, and we have more rations than we know what to do with ; and we are quietly awaiting the issue of new clothes and the arrival of some of Uncle Sam’s pay agents.  A large bakery is building and soon we shall have soft bread.

It may interest you to know the difference between campaign rations and camp rations.  The former consists of hard bread, beef, bacon, beans, dessicated potatoes, sugar, coffee, salt, pepper, with occasional tastes of vinegar, whiskey & so on.  The latter of the same, with rice, Irish potatoes occasionally, and fish, krout [sic: sauerkraut], soft bread or flour, or both, and molassess [sic].

Madame Rumor says Sherman [William T. Sherman] is ordered to push out after Hood [John Bell Hood] as soon as possible, and that our stay here is likely to be shortend [sic].  It may be so.  Possibly it is feared the general may take advantage of our resting spell and send off troops to Richmond or Mobile.  He dare not risk an open engagement with this army, for he well knows what would be the result ; and he is equally aware that that [sic] he can do nothing with it even when stronly [sic] entrenched.  Despairing of assistance and of successful operations, it seems more probable he will disperse his army to be of use where it can be given.  You do not know, I guess, how nice a trap Sherman had set for him on the first inst.  Had the 23rd Corps been up to time, Hood and his army would have all been gobbled.  The position of the contending armies on that day I will sketch for you.  Our head generals were feeling finely over their prospective success and I think old Hood’s hair stood up straight when he saw the danger.

Map from page 4 of Edwin Levings’ September 15, 1864, letter, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

This was the plan.  While the 4th and 23rd corps were swinging around in the rear of the rebels, and the 17th corps was moving to a position on the right of the 16th, represented by the dotted line A. B., the 14th Corps was to move forward its right & make a connection with the 15th Corps.  When the 23rd had occupied the line represented by C. D. it was to announce the fact by opening the ball and immediately the 14th Corps was to charge down the R. R. and then a general pressing in was to follow.  It was 3 o’clock P. M. and the 23rd Corps being 2 hours behind time & observing the rebels getting away did not get the position intended & attempted to head them off on the line E. D.  The 17th Corps was on hand.  You know the result of the movement.  The 14th charged & did good work, as it was.

Politics are discussed by us with great interest.  At present all eyes are directed to the doings of the Chicago Convention.  Many fear McClellan [George B. McClellan] will be elected, some think he will run about as Douglas [Stephen A. Douglas] did.  They await the election in great suspense, believing everything hinges on this issue.  It makes us feel bad to see so many Union men faltering just at the time when energies are most needed, at a time when they can be most valuable.  Their sacrifices are not equal to ours and, if I may use the expression, “Can they not watch with us one hour” ?  I have hope that the country will be saved.  If God has not given us over to our own ways we shall come out as redeemed people.  The are a most perverse people and unwilling to do God’s will, and the evils and calamities of war are meant to bring us to our alligiance [sic] to Him.  We can not tell what is ahead, but I apprehend there are to may be privations and sufferings more sever than we have yet had ere we come out of the struggle.

The Capt. and some other officers, I understand, have sent in their resignations.  The boys will not mourn his departure at all.  1st Lt. Charles Reynolds is a much better officer and far better liked.  Lt. Kelsey is also well liked.¹

You ask, Mother, if we lost our medicine, and if you shall send us some.  We lost the homeopathy medicine during the battle of the 22nd July.  We both think it best you do not send any at present, at least, if at all.  Not that it has grown into disfavor with us.  I have my doubts about wanting to use it any more in Dixie.

Col. Bryant [George E. Bryant] who commands the Brigade will soon leave us.  It will be difficult to find a Col. in whom there is a firmer confidence — all think highly of him & hate to have him go home.

We both have good health, I am more fleshy than at the opening of the campaign.  Homer says you may send him by letter a little pulverized alum² which he wishes to have on hand in case he would have the ague [fever].

Yours &c,          Edwin D. Levings

1.  The captain at this time was Orrin T. Maxson, from Prescott; he resigned as of September 18, 1864. Charles Reynolds, from Madison, currently the 1st lieutenant, became the captain as of October 7, 1864. Wallace Kelsey, officially listed as being from Owatonna (Minn.) was currently the 2nd lieutenant and would become the 1st lieutenant as of October 7, 1864, and be replaced as 2nd lieutenant by Alva McKee, officially from Rockford (Minn.).
2.  Pulverized alum was used to stop bleeding, for diphtheria, for croup, and for offensive foot sweat!
.

Edwin Levings letter of September 15, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1864 August 10: “We frequently work all night with the ax, pick & spade and are able to protect ourselves”

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.

Near Atlanta Ga., Aug 10th, 1864.

Ever Dear Parents,

                                   We were gladdened last night by the arrival of your letter of the 31st July, it having been but nine days on the way ~ pretty quick time.

Well, I am thankful I have no bad news for you.  We are both safe and able to do our regular duty.  If you have received our letters, you know all about those battles.  Yet, we have certainly seen the “elephant.”  We see more or less of him daily.

You say you heard the 12th was on the extreme right.  Not so.  Our Div. was on the right of the Corps, and our Brig. the centre Brig. & the 12th on the right of it.  Only the left wing companies were much exposed and they had a hand in repelling the charge of the enemy.  Co. B lost heavily.  The charge we made the day before was the most severe on us.  If you have seen the Wis. State Journal you have read a full account of those battles.  Our Chaplain Walker, of our Co. is correspondent.¹

We are shortening our lines as rapidly as possible, closing up on them.  Yesterday I was on the skirmish line again and the line advanced about 70 rods.  The rebels fell back, but before night we received their leaden compliments and returned them.  We were in a rather uncomfortable position for we could hear the rebels erecting a batteries to shell us out.  This morning they have opened from them on our advance & third line of works which are in an open field exposed to an enfilading fire, but I tell you the spade is being used here.  We frequently work all night with the ax, pick & spade and are able to protect ourselves.  Close to our Co. is one of our batteries of 8 guns.  Yesterday, all day long, our batteries, from our position around to the extreme left, were shelling the city.  We can not see it here but we are only 2 miles from it.  By climbing trees we can see it.  We are sanguine of taking Atlanta, but not for some time yet.  The rebels are defending their city bravely, and we may not be able to take it for weeks yet.  We have built 3 strong lines here.  The 12th [Wis.] & 31st Ills. have been in front for some time, but they are now in the 2nd line, and the other 2 Regiments of the Brig., 16th Wis. & 30 Ills., are out in the the front line.  The rebels are now shelling us now lively.  I have quit writing several times and I don’t know but I shall have to quit altogether.  I guess I’ll stop a while ~ till they cease firing, anyway.   Homer² is cooking beans, or was, says they are under fire now & they may cook without watching for a while.  They won’t stop firing, & I’ll commence writing again.

Dale³ arrived this morning looking and feeling firstrate.  He had a good chance to serve out the remainder of his time in Louisville in the Provost Marshall’s [sic] office as clerk, but would not accept it, for he wanted, he said, to see the front and participate in the struggle for Atlanta.  A noble spirit that.  Not like many men we have who are too anxious to get to the rear, & if sick & once there, manage to figure for a safe positions as clerks or something else, that cheating the country out of active service.  I despise such men, I can not help it.  Our Co. has men of that stamp back at Nashville, Chattanooga & other places who should be here; and I’ll venture there are thousands of men, well & able, doing some unimportant duty in the rear.  I hope no more 1 years men will be accepted.  They are too anxious to have their time out and are not good for much.

The story Balcomb tells about the Capt. is a down right lie.⁴  The Capt. has his faults but I can exhonerate [sic] him from that charge.  He led the men, loped right off like a man and did his duty.  It was not a charge however as you supposed.  We ran across the open field to the woods then crept up on the flank of the rebel skirmishers.  I want you should understand that Balcom is a grumbler, a fault-finder.  He is a Fremont man.  You would say a Copperhead, and I will say talks like one, if not, in fact, one.  I have heard him say that after he gets out of service he would not turn his finger over to save the country.  He is one of these discontented, faultfinding grumbling characters, & when you see him you may know he can tell yarns.

I hope you will not try to do too much on that bottom land.  You can easily overdo, and you must not do it.  We wish we could help you, & hope we may yet be able.  Let those 500,000 men come down here & you will have the pleasure of seeing this trouble ended in a short time.  Not before they come, I fear & am sure.  Had we 500,000 men reinforcements we could drive or annihilate this rebel army in our front.  Atlanta is hard to capture, but it is not Atlanta we want, altogether, we must destroy the rebel army.  Give us the men and it shall be done.  I have been dodging shell for some time and my letter looks rather hard, but you must pardon that.  Only some horses were hit, just back of us.  The rebels have got some big guns, 84 pars, & the pieces make a noise like ducks when flying.

The weather for a few days has been very rainy — quite unpleasant, hot to warm here as with you.  I have drawn a new suit of clothes & don’t look quite so hard as I did.  Write as usual & believe me your loving boy,

Edwin.

P.S. — Thomson & David McCleary are in the Alton prison for smuggling in Memphis for the rebels.  “The way of transgressors is hard.”  Send some Tribunes or Sentinels.     Edwin

1.  Henry J. Walker, from Delona, was in Company A before becoming the 12th Regiment’s chaplain on July 2, 1864.
2.  Edwin’s brother, Homer, also in Company A of the 12th.
3.  Wilber P. Dale, from River Falls.  Dale had sickness problems from the very beginning, even being left behind in Wisconsin when the 12th first left the state.
4.  James Balcom, from Kinnickinnick. He was transferred to Company I on May 1, 1864, perhaps because of his charges against Captain Orrin T. Maxson, who will resign September 18, 1864.

Edwin Levings letter of August 10, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1864 March 12: Northwest Wisconsin Recruitment, Carmi Garlick Commissioned Again, Amendment to the Enrollment Act, and Other News Items

Following are the small items from the March 12, 1864, issues of The Prescott Journal and The Polk County Press.  Note of warning: the “N” word is used in the second item under From The Polk County Press, referring to Frederick Douglass. 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.

From The Prescott Journal:

  About one fourth of the town of Superior, in this State, has been confiscated as belonging to disloyalists.  Among others, the names of Commissioner Ould [Robert Ould], John C. Breckenridge [sic] and R. N. [sic] T. Hunter¹ appear as owners.  There were 18 rebel owners in all.

  The town of River Falls has voted a $100 bounty to each of the re-enlisted veterans who are credited to her.

  Capt. MAXSON [Orrin T. Maxson] left for Madison on Tuesday.  The Capt. has had excellent success recruiting, having enlisted over sixty men.  We doubt if any recruiting officer in the State has done better.

  Gen. Grant [Ulysses S. Grant] says that Sherman [William T. Sherman] has inflicted the severest blow on the rebellion since the fall of Vicksburg.

From The Polk County Press:

Frederick Douglass, from the Library of Congress²

— Out of the 130,000 men now in the 100 batteries and regimental organizations, whose terms expired on or before the first day of January, 100,000 have re-enlisted.

— The “nigger” Fred. Douglas [sic: Frederick Douglass] lectures in Milwaukee this week.

NEW RECRUITS.—Recruiting officer, Geo. W. Davis, returned from Burnett county on Wednesday last, having enlisted three more men to apply on Polk County’s quota. This makes eight men which this energetic officer has secured since his return from Madison. The following is the list complete :

	Joseph Cadotte,	John R. Day,
	Alexander Cadotte,	George Samuel,
	Thomas Hart,	James Rice,
	Charles Hart,	John Buck.

We cannot too highly commend the energy of Mr. Davis.  He has worked hard and has secured a tough, hardy set of men, who will all make excellent soldiers.  Mr. Davis expects to get eight or ten more during the next week.

Next to the “New Recruits” item was the following small item, which may explain why George W. Davis was having such good luck recruiting men—the winter work in the pineries was finished and those workers were coming into the towns looking for new work.  A soldier’s bonus probably looked pretty good to them.

RETURNED.—Quite a large number of our citizens have returned from the pineries during the week, which makes things look little a more [sic] lively.  Our town has been almost deserted of men this winter, but now they are coming back one by one, which soon makes a change come over our village.

DETACHED.—The Secretary of War has ordered the three companies of Minnesota Cavalry which have been included in the 5th Iowa Regiment, to be detached and formed into a new Battalion, for home service on the frontier.  The companies have re-enlisted and are now home on furlough.

ELECTION.—The State election in New Hampshire took place on Tuesday last.  The campaign has been a hot one, and we look to see a good rousing Union victory.  The soldiers do not vote in New Hampshire.

TOWN CAUCUSES.—The Union men of the several towns in Polk county, are requested to hold their town caucuses, for the purpose of choosing their delegates to the Union County Convention, on Monday next, March 14th.  Let the Union men in every town turn out that the delegation may be full.  Remember that prompt action gains the victory !

THE ENROLLMENT BILL.—This bill will be found on the 1st and 4th pages of the paper.  Although not an official copy, it may be relied upon as being correct.³

APPOINTED ASS’T SURGEON.—Dr. C. P GARLICK, of this village [Osceola], has received and accepted the appointment of Assistant Surgeon of the 35th Regiment, Col. ORFF,4 now at Milwaukee.  The appointment is an excellent one, and although we much regret to part with our resident physician, still we take pleasure in congratulating the soldiers of the 35th, upon having so humane and whole-souled a Surgeon to attend to their physical wants.  As the Doctor is obliged to report for duty immediately, he wishes us to state that he wants to settle up all outstanding accounts as soon as possible, and request all those who are indebted to him to call at his office and settle forthwith.

That explains this ad in the classifieds section of previous issues of the Press:

WA N T E D.

One Hundred Volunteers,

To call at the office of the undersigned, on or before the 1st day of March next, and settle up their little accounts with him.  All delinquents after that date will be made subject to an immediate draft.
C. P. GARLICK,
Recruiting Officer.

1.  Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter (1809-1887) was the Confederate States Secretary of State (1861-1862), a Confederate States Senator from Virginia (1862-1865), and President pro tempore of the Confederate Senate (1862-1865). Before the Civil War he had been a U.S. Senator from Virginia (1847-1861), and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1837 to 1843, and 1845 to 1847). He served as Speaker of the House from 1839 to 1841, and is the youngest person ever to hold that position.
2.  This image of Frederick Douglass, probably taken in the 1860s, is from the Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division.
3.  The 1864 amendment of the Enrollment Act is very long, and since it is easily available on the Internet we are not posting it on this blog. One place to find it is the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, & Abolition at Yale University. The original 1863 Enrollment Act is followed by the February 24, 1864, amendment.
4.  Henry Orff, from Milwaukee, was the colonel of the 35th Wisconsin Infantry. He was commissioned on September 15, 1863, and resigned on July 21, 1865, because of a disability. The rest of the regiment mustered out on March 15, 1866. Garlick was discharged on February 11, 1865, for a disability.

1864 February 27: The 7th, 12th, and 30th Wisconsin Infantries Recruiting, and Other News

Following are the small articles from the February 27, 1864, issues of The Polk County Press and The Prescott Journal.

From The Polk County Press:

— In the South letters are fifteen days in going 200 miles, and the rebel soldiers are down on the mail arrangements.

— Samuel P. Ivins,¹ editor of the (Tenn.,) “Post,” having been taken prisoner, Gen. Howard [Oliver O. Howard] proposes to exchange him for Mr. A. D. Richardson, of the New York “Tribune,” now confined in “Libby” [Prison].

— William Yorkum, for returning a contraband to slavery from Cairo, Illinois, has been found guilty by court martial, and sentenced to five years imprisonment in the Albany Penitentiary.

— Three hundred rebel prisoners are said to have taken the oath of allegiance and joined the navy in Boston.  We hope they will be distributed in half dozens among our ships.  They should not be put all on board the same vessel.

— The Provost Marshal General has issued an order prohibiting excessive telegraphing by Deputy Marshals, and requiring dispatches sent without sufficient necessity to be charged to the Marshals sending them.

— The telegraph operators in the principal cities South formed a secret league, and recently struck for higher wages.  The strike caused serious inconvenience to the Government, and the result was that all the operators were picked up and put into the army.  It is expected the lines will be running again before a great while.

— A young lady from Pennsylvania enlisted at Oswego, New York, a few days since.  Her sex was discovered by a fellow soldier, who gave information to the authorities, and she was arrested and placed in confinement.  The “Times” says that she is “only sixteen years of age, pretty, intelligent and modest, and determined to go to the wars.”

— We noticed C. D. SCOTT,² of the 30th Regiment, in town the other day.  Can’t you give us a call, CHARLIE?

— RECRUITS WANTED.—G. W. Davis,³ who enlisted sometime ago in the gallant 7th Regiment, we see is home on recruiting service.  To men who are desirous of going into a fighting Regiment, and a fighting Brigade,  we recommend the 7th of the Iron Brigade.  For particulars see Mr. Davis at the Osceola House.

From The Prescott Journal:

We are indebted to FRANK YOUNG⁴ for the first copy of the CONVALESCENT, a spicy little paper, published at Jefferson Barracks, Mo.

  The town of Pleasant Valley has filled her quota under the latest call

Capt. MAXSON [Orrin T. Maxson] has enlisted over sixty men since he returned here, and still keeps gathering them in.

  The rebel army in Virginia is described as “Lee’s Miserables.”⁵

  The rebel pirate Alabama has captured, in all, 58 large vessels.

  The Senate has returned batch of Major and Bridger Generals to the President, refusing to act upon them.

1.  Samuel P. Ivins was the editor and publisher of the Athens (Tenn.) Post. Ivins followed his state when Tennessee left the Union. The Post was suspended from September 1863 to December 1867 due to occupation by the Union Army. In 1864, Ivins was taken prisoner by General Sherman’s troops and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, and not released until 1865. For more, see About The Athens Post on Chronicling America.
2.  Charles D. Scott, from Farmington, was in Company A of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry.
3.  Sergeant George W. Davis, from Farmington, was in Company C of the 7th Wisconsin Infantry.
4.  Frank Young, from Blue Earth, Minnesota, was in Company C of the 6th Wisconsin Infantry.
5.  A pun on Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.

1863 December 12: Soldiers Returning, Drafted Men Going

Following are the smaller items from the December 12, 1863, issues of The Polk County Press and

From The Polk County Press:

— The drafted men from this county [Polk] left for La Crosse on Friday last in charge of Deputy Provost Marshal VINCENT [William J. Vincent].

— JAMES T. CRAGIN,¹ Esq., of Sterling, this county, who was one of those who drew a prize recently at La Crosse [e.g., was drafted], has crossed the lines and enlisted in the Minnesota Frontier Rangers.  So says the Taylor’s Falls “Reporter.”

— We understand that several of our citizens contemplate enlisting in Minnesota.  This is all wrong.  The State looses credit for every man that goes into a Minnesota regiment, while the pay of the person so volunteering is not as good as it is at home.  Persons enlisting into any of the old Wisconsin regiments, not only gets $302 bounty—$402 if he has served nine months before—but he receives five dollars per month from the State, and also five dollars per month for his family from the county.  Remember this, and do yourself service by going into a Wisconsin regiment.

— Among the conscripts in Pierce county we notice that our genial friend HOWARD HARVEY,² clerk of the H.S. Allen, has drawn a prize.—Well HOWARD, we trust you will walk up like a little man and—pay your regular $300, or shoulder a musket.

WAR MEETING.—There will be a meeting at the School House on Saturday evening, (to-night) to take into consideration the raising of a bounty to be offered to any six men who will volunteer, and fill the quota of Osceola.  Come out all who take an interest in this matter.

MANY CITIZENS.

— Sixteen of the Northern States were represented on the battlefield of Chattanooga.  The Eastern States had 25,000 of their sons engaged under fighting Joe Mooker [sic: Joseph Hooker].

— A correspondent of the N. Y. Tribune, describing the late battle of Lookout Mountain, says :

I have to record an extraordinary episode that occurred during the battle.  Some two hundred mules, parked near Gen. Hooker’s lines, broke loose and charged furiously accross [sic] the field toward where a Georgia regiment was stationed.  Thinking it was cavalry, or something else, the regiment broke in confusion and ran, leaving one thousand Enfield rifles of the best description behind them, which Gen. Hooker has to show as proof of the incident.

— The official vote in this State foots up as follows :

	Lewis, Union	70,651
	Palmer, Copperhead,	54,501
	Lewis’ majority,	16,150

— Mrs. Jane M. Pierce, wife of ex-President Franklin Pierce, died recently at Andover, Mass.  She had been in feeble health for several year.

From The Prescott Journal:

ITEMS.

Discharge, November 10, 1863, from the A.D. Andrews Papers (River Falls SC 357) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls³

— We hear that Dr. A. D. Andrews, of River Falls, surgeon in the Wis. 6th, has his discharge and will soon return home.  The Dr. has been a most efficient officer, and his health is much impaired, it is but just that he should return.³

— Rev. A. G. [sic] Peabody, itenerant [sic] Missionary, in charge of the Episcopal church here [Prescott], was drafted.  His age exempts him.⁴

— We hear that a Norwegian woman on Rush River has become crazed in consequence of her husband being drafted.

   We are in receipt of a letter from Lt. A. L. COX [Arthur L. Cox], of the 30th, Camp Randall, in which he says :  “Drafted men, substitutes and recruits come into camp at a remarkable rate.  Yesterday there came into this camp 150 recruits and 50 drafted men and substitutes.  The good work goes bravely on.  Another month of such increase, and our army will put us on a comfortable war footing.”⁵

  Capt. MAXSON  arrived home this morning.  [Orrin T. Maxson]

  The prompt organization of Congress, and the election of SCHUYLER COLFAX to the speakership, are hopeful indications that Congress is heartily in symyathy [sic] with the Administration, and is ready to work.  At such an important time it is gratifying to know that we of the Sixth District have in WALTER D. McINDOE, a representative who will never falsify the convictions or neglect the interests of his constituents.

THE Dayton Journal says that John Morgan has made more reputation in getting out of the Penitentiary than he did in getting in.  It shows that he is a better burglar than General.

— Persons are growing parsimonious now-a-days, saving their $300 for future contingencies.⁶

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.

We regret that we did not receive the President’s Message in season for this paper.  It is a brief , sensible, practical document.  It gives a clear and cheering statement of our foreign relations, and of the progress made in subduing the Rebellion.  The President announces his belief that he Emancipation Proclamation has been of great service to the National cause, both at home and abroad, and his determination to uphold it unless it is set aside by decision of the Supreme Court.

The President also submits a Proclamation with reference to the people in the Rebel States, offering pardon at all, except certain designated classes among the leaders, who shall take an oath of allegiance, such as he prescribes.  The plan seems to be fair and feasible one.

The Message and Proclamation⁷ will command universal attention, and will, we believe, give the country renewed confidence in the ability and discretion of ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

1.  James Thomas Cragin (1832-1895) does not appear to have served in the Civil War.
2.  Howard Harvey (b. 1834), likewise appears to have not served in the Civil War. Interestingly, he is listed in the 1860 federal census as living in both Prescott, Wisconsin, and Hastings, Minnesota!
3.  Andrews had mustered out November 10, 1863. The original discharge is in the A. D. Andrews Papers (River Falls SC 357), in the University Archives and Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
4.  This should be A. B. Peabody, his full name being Abraham Burton Peabody. He was born in 1823, so would have been 40 years old in 1863.  An Albert G. Peabody from Hammond had enlisted in Company A of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry back on August 11, 1862. At the end of the War (April 1865), Albert G. Peabody will be commissioned captain of Company I of the 51st Wisconsin Infantry.
5.  This confirms what Frederick Dresser wrote in his December 9, 1863, letter to W.H.C. Folsom.
6.  $300 was the price for buying your way out of the draft.
7.  Both the President’s Message to Congress and his Proclamation appear in next week’s paper.

1863 September 8: “Another Rebel Stronghold fallen! Fort Beauregard, La., evacuated by the rebels”

Fort Beauregard was one of four Confederate forts guarding the Ouachita—pronounced washita—River in Louisiana.  In early May 1863, the fort successfully defended the village of Harrisonburg from attack by Union gunboats.  After four days of bombardment, little damage was done, and the gunboats left.  On September 4, 1863, the fort was evacuated and destroyed by the Confederates.  Union General M. M. Crocker¹ led the expedition that resulted in the opening description of Edwin Levings’ September 8th letter.  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.

Natchez Miss, Sept 8^th, 1863

Dear Parents,

                         Hurrah for the 3^rd Brig[ade]!  Another Rebel Stronghold fallen!  Fort Beauregard, La., evacuated by the rebels. Magazine blown up, cannon spiked etc.  You are surprised I should begin a letter thus, and want to know what is the matter.  Well, you shall know.  I told you before, we were about making a raid into La.  We left on the 1st and returned yesterday after an absence of 7 days.  The troops comprised the 17th Wis Mounted Infy [Infantry] and the 2nd and 3rd brigades, all under the command of Gen Crocker.¹  We penetrated La. 45 miles, to the above mentioned fort, crossing two rivers, chasing and scaring the rebels awfully & compelling them to abandon their stronghold & destroy its stores, including ammunition, supplies & so on.  Fort Beauregard is situated at Harrisonburg on the right bank of the Washita River 12 miles from its mouth, and is the same fort our gunboats tried to take last spring & failed—no impression could be made on it by them.  We took along a big pontoon train with which to cross Black River at Trinity.  The Tensas (pronounced Tensaw), Washita & Little Rivers unite at Trinity & form the Black River.  Now take your map & trace the road of our march.  Crossed the Miss. opposite Natchez to Vidalia, thence proceeded along the southern shore of Lake Concordia, a very beautiful lake, 8 or 11 miles long & ¾ of a mile wide & abounding in fish.  Camped on this lake the 1st night.  Distance, 7 miles.  Next day traveled along a slough & came to the ferry at Bush Bayou about noon & crossed, went on to within 3 miles of Black river, camping on the Tensas.  Cavalry took some prisoners.  Distance, 18 miles. 3rd — Crossed Black river on scows, boats & sections of the pontoons, the river being too wide for the pontoon bridge to reach across, 250 ft. the river being very deep & 250 yds wide.  The rebels had hauled all the boats across to the other side & our boys had to swim the stream amid a shower of bullets.  The cav[alry] replied by volleys when the citizens came out with the white flag & the rebels took to their heels.  The crossing occupied till 3 P. M. when we went on, marching most of the night in a big swamp up the Washita.  We lay down to take a little sleep & at 2 in the morning we arose & proceeded to where the roads strike a pine ridge which runs to the Washita.  I heard explosions during the night which I thought must be the rebels blowing up their fort.  At this crossing the Cav. had captured a rebel officer carrying a dispatch that Col. Walker would be at the fort that night or the next morning with 3000 reinforcements.  So we were fast in time & cut them off.  At 7 A. M. we started for the Fort which on the termination of this pine ridge the 2nd Brigade was close behind.  We had not gone a mile when we were attacked in the rear & had to put back to the crossing at a double [unreadable].  There we found a line of Battle was formed, the corn cut down & the Cav. went ahead chasing the rebels 8 or ten miles, found where they had camped, the rascals would not stand.  When the 2nd Brig. came up we left them and went to the Fort at Harrisonburg & found the rebels gone.  They did not have time to take away anything but some artillery.  They left 2 siege guns spiked, 4 fine brass pieces unspiked, 1½ tons of powder, some small arms, cartridges and shell, any amount, corn meal, &c, caissons, wagons & so on.  We destroyed all these taking away two cannon.

Fort Beauregard was a splendid work & the strongest I ever saw.  There were no forts at Vicksburg as strong.  It would have been impossible to have taken it by storm, no charge would have gained it.  Only a siege could have done the thing.  All were very much surprised at its strength.  There were a fine jail inside, 2 nice fortified wells & every convenience almost.  There were only 150 men in it when evacuated.  They thought we had 8 or 10,000 men.  We scared them out of it & compelled them to do the work of destruction mostly.  We burned the court house & jail & several other buildings.  If Walker had got in before we did, our force would have proved powerless.  500 men could have held it in spite of us.  So we came back. Fared well of chickens, potatoes &c. though the country is a miserable one.  We passed th[r]ough places where the water had stood 10 to 15 ft deep.  Alligators, lots of them.  Don’t think you would like to live here.  Would you?

Sept. 9^th — The Capt.² returned this yesterday morning with 3 fine recruits.  Looks well, says you came down to [unreadable] & saw him.  We are having a good time.  David Burr³ writes he is at Stevenson, Ala., that his regt. is establishing a convalescent camp there, — is well &, like us, asks no favors of the doctors.

It is supposed Sumter⁴ has fallen and that Charleston can not survive the shock much longer. The papers, at least, convey this intelligence.  The boys are all much gratified at the late Union State convention held at Madison, and with the nominations.  I am suited with the Resolution, especially the last, relating to Foreign Intervention.—The war does not look likely to end in some time.  The ominous clouds of war are rising from across the waters, & how we can avert the storm I can not see.—England seems bent on provoking us to a war.—Well, let it come.  God help us.  We shall do our duty.  I am ready.  Our only safety and deliverance are in going forward, trusting in Him who controls the destinies of nations as well as individuals.  I have not time to write as much as I would like to.  Good by.  Write soon.  Yours affectionately, Edwin D. Levings

1.  Marcellus Monroe Crocker (1830-1865) attended West Point but did not graduate. He held the title of Captain in the 2nd Iowa Infantry inn 1861and was promoted to colonel later that year. He was part of the Battle of Shiloh in April of 1862, the Battle of Corinth in October of 1862, and was promoted to General in November of 1862. He also took part in the Vicksburg Campaign, and the Battle of Jackson in 1863.
2.  Captain Orrin T. Maxson was back home in Prescott, Wisconsin, in August 1863. The recruits he brought back with him were:

• Francis M. Barrett, from Prescott, enlisted August 13, 1863
• Christian Hanningson, from Prescott, enlisted August 19, 1863
• John McCallum, from Prescott, enlisted August 19, 1863.

3.  David C. Burr, from River Falls, enlisted in Company F, 1st Wisconsin Infantry, on September 4, 1861. He will be taken prisoner at the Battle of Chickamauga (September 19-20, 1863) and will die December 29, 1863, in Danville. During the Civil War, six Danville, Virginia, tobacco warehouses were converted and used between December 1863 and February 1865 to house captured Union soldiers.
4.  Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor (South Carolina).

Edwin Levings letter of September 8, 1863, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1863 August 22: Conscripts, Furloughs, Blockade Runners

Following are the smaller items from the August 22, 1863, issues of The Prescott Journal.

From The Prescott Journal:

News Items.

It is said the rebels are receiving immense supplies by way of Wilmington, North Carolina, in spite of the blockade.  Machinery of all kinds, locomotives, railroad iron, guns of the heaviest caliber, blankets, medicines, shoes, etc., are daily brought in as if no blockade existed.—Officers and crews are constantly leaving Wilmington for England to man the rebel privateers which are being built there for the rebel navy.

— Shortly after the draft commenced in Rochester, a man circulated in the crowd proposing to “take the chances” of any man who had not been drafted, for fifty dollars in hand.  The same individual attended the draft in Ontario County, where he operated in the same way, and came out fifty dollars ahead.

— A rural conscript appeared before an Eastern Board of Enrollment, a day or two since, and desired to be exempted forthwith that he might return to his country home.  “What are your claims!” demanded the doctor.  “I’m entirely dependent upon my mother for support,” was the innocent reply.

— At Portland last week, eighty three conscripts were examined.—Of these forty-seven were exempted for physical disability, thirteen by furnishing substitutes, and twenty-three for other causes.  it [sic] will be seen that of the eighty-three drafted the administration did not get a man.

THE WAGES OF SIN. —Four of the N. Y. draft rioters have been tried and sentenced—two for fifteen years each, one for ten years, and one for five years—to the state prison.

 Capt. Maxson’s address [Orrin T. Maxson]. On Tuesday evening, was listened to with great interest.  He gave a history of the war in the Western Department.  The Captain will return to his regiment in a few days.

The bombardment of Fort Sumter is progressing favorably.  It is stated that the side exposed to our batteries is already breached.  She will soon be ours.

—  The highest estimate of the number of men who can be gathered into the rebel army under the sweeping conscription proposed by Jeff. Davis is 70,000.  This will hardly more than make up recent losses in that army.

 It is stated that the draft in Ohio will take place in a few days ; preparations are being perfected for it at Columbus.

STILL AT THE FRONT. —We learn that the old Iron Brigade, at last accounts, was still in front of the Army of the Potomac.  On the 8th they were on the south side of the Rappahannock, at Rappahannock Station, drawn up inline of battle to repel an apprehended attack by the rebels.  They have been in arms in that vicinity four or five times.

FURLOUGHS TO VICKSBURG PRISONERS RESCINDED. —The rebel General PEMBERTON [John C. Pemberton] has issued an order to the troops paroled at Vicksburg, to the effect that DAVIS [Jefferson Davis] regards the furloughs granted as of too great duration in the present condition of the country, and orders them to be materially shortened, and requires officers and men to report forthwith on expiration of their furloughs.

FRIEND LUTE : —I have noticed that there has been a Proclamation issued by Jeff Davis appointing Aug. 21st as a day of Fasting and Prayer, and as Fasting is not my FORTE, I intend to pray more and Fast less.  The form of praying I intend to use may be found in the fifty-fifth Psalm and fifteenth verse,¹
ZACH.
Trimbelle, Aug. 13th, 1863.

From The Polk County Press:

—  Jeff. Davis is very ill, and doubts are entertained of his recovery. —Gen. Lee [Robert E. Lee], it is reported, has protested against the retaliatory execution of two Federal officers, the life of his son depending upon their fate.

We hope Jeff. will die this time. —The Devil has been cheated of his victim long enough.

Major Gen. Prentiss [Benjamin M. Prentiss], for some time past Commander of Helana [sic] district, has been relieved and ordered to report at St. Louis for duty.  He is succeeded in command of the district by Brig. Gen. Salomon [Frederick Salomon].

ALL RIGHT. —Lots of Grant’s boys [Ulysses S. Grant] are coming home on short furloughs.  They have done a deal of hard and glorious work, and it is no more than right that they should have a short rest in this hot and unhealthy season when active campaigning is impossible. —Madison Journal.

—  A thousand conscripts a day are already joining the Army of the Potomac.  In a week the number reaching it daily will be greater.

1.  Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. (King James Version of the Bible, Psalm 55, verse 15.)