1865 November 11: Telegraphic Summary

The following article comes from The Prescott Journal of November 11, 1865.

Telegraphic Summary.

It is reiterated that Caleb Cushing’s mission to England is in connection with our claims for damages in the cases of the Anglo-rebel pirates; and Mr. C., it is stated, is preparing an elaborate argument on the subject.

Governor Stone’s majority, in all but eight counties of Iowa, is 15,942.

Brigadier General John Cook has been promoted a Major General.

The payment of bounties to colored soldiers who were slaves at the time of their enlistment has been suspended for the present, the Secretary of War holding that the law on the subject as it stands at present, does not warrant such payment.

Since the close of the rebellion, thirty-five new national banks have been organized in the southern state, with an aggregated capital stock of $4,474,400, distributed among the states as follows; Virginia, sixteen banks, capital stock $1,600,000; Tennessee, seven banks, capital stock $1,000,000; North Carolina, two banks, capital stock $100,000; Georgia, three banks, capital stock, $800,000; Alabama three banks, capital stock $400,000; Mississippi, one bank, capital stock $50,000; Louisiana, two banks, capital stock $800,000; Texas, one bank, capital stock $200,000.

In the case of Father Cummings, tried on charge of having preached without having taken the oath of loyalty, the supreme court of Missouri has affirmed the decision of the Pike Circuit Court, amereing him in the sum of $500.

A Washington dispatch states that the President in consequence of recent grossly disloyal action in South Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi will change his policy concerning those States; visit them in future with the rigors of martial law, and grant but few amnesties to citizens thereof.

Returns of the gubernatiorial vote in all districts of South Carolina give Orr a majority of 500 over Wade Hampton.  Provisional Governor Perry has been elected United States Senator for the long term.

Great Britain has removed all restrictions upon the United States war vessels in British ports, and it is understood that the British naval commander in the Pacific has been ordered to send cruisers out for the purpose of capturing the Shenandoah.

Generals Hood and Longstreat left Cincinnati for Washington Tuesday.  Gen. Breckinridge, it is reported, will proceed from Canada to Washington, at the request of the President.

In accordance with Secretary Seward’s circular, a large number of claims against foreign governments-mainly for damages sustained by the operations of the Anglo-rebel pirates-have been filed in the State Department.  Mr. Seward is preparing a reply to Earl Russell’s dispatch proposing a commission for the adjustment of certain claims.

Jeff. Davis evidently does not expect to be executed this winter, as he has ordered a new overcoat for his own wear.  A Washington dispatch to the New York Tribune estimates that Davis will escape without punishment.

The payments to the army, since the beginning of the rebellion, amount, it is said, to $1,050,000,000.

Alexander H. Stephens has signified his consent to accept the nomination for governor of Georgia.

Wisconsin has been taken from the military department of the Missouri and sided to the department of the Ohio.

The New York Herald states that Secretary Weller has issued an order directing the immediate preparation for sea of all iron clads now lying idle.

The number of vessels now in the United States naval service is 101, carrying 1,115 guns.

The President has sent a dispatch to Governor Johnson, declaring that Georgia “should not hesitate for a single moment in repudiating every dollar of the debt created for the purpose of aiding the rebellion;” and the governor has sent a message to the convention, urging strongly such repudiation.

The Mississippi House has passed, over Governor Sharkey’s veto, a bill abolishing the special court of equity established by that functionary; and it is considered certain that the bill will also pass the Senate.

Secretary McCulloch, in consequence of the scarcity of small currency, has ordered a large amount of five-cent notes to be issued.

Admiral Porter is now engaged in re-establishing the naval academy at Annapolis, Maryland.  The class of midshipmen just entering numbers one hundred and twenty-five.

Judge Gray, of Texas, has been pardoned at the request of Henry Ward Beecher.

It is rumored at Washington that the President has the case of Wirz under close advisement, “with a view to mitigate as much as possible his punishment.”  Wirz having recovered from his indisposition, his diet has been changed back to the regular army ration, a procedure which meets with his hearty disapprobation.

The Treasury Department has under consideration, a plan for funding the national debt at 5 1-2 per cent interest.

1865 October 14: The 30th Wisconsin Comes Home

The following front page article comes from the October 14, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.

The Thirtieth.

The 30th Reg. is home.  So large a proportion of the officers and men of this Reg. went from this part of the State, that it has been watched here with more than usual interest.

No regiment in the State was made up of better material, or has more creditably discharged the duties which it was called on to perform.  So trusty was its character and so orderly its deportment that it was long kept in the State, engaged in the difficult and delicate duty of enforcing the draft.  Sent from the State into the far Indian country, it had no opportunity of winning laurels in battle, but it had much hard work, which was cheerfully done.

For considerable time past the regiment has been doing provost duty in Kentucky and has been remarkable for its efficiency, and honorable soldierly conduct.  Many of its members have been detailed to important  places, and Col. DILL has most of the time been Provost Marshal General of the State, and received high praise for the manner in which he filled that difficult position.  [Daniel J. Dill]

The boys are welcome home.  As they left bearing our warm wishes for their safe return, so now we rejoice that so many of them are spared to share in the prosperity and enjoy the peace which again blesses the land.

1865 October 14: Telegraph Summary

Once again The Prescott Journal and The Polk County Press of October 14, 1865, both have inside pages from a Milwaukee paper.  The following news summary appeared in both of our local newspapers.

TELEGRAPH SUMMARY.

Jefferson Davis was removed Monday from the casement in which he has been confined to quarters in Carroll Hall.

The State Convention of Georgia unanimously adopted an ordinance declaring the act of Secession null and void.

The veteran reserve corps will be disbanded in a few days, the regular army having been recruited sufficiently to supply its place.

General Conner [sic], commanding the expedition against the Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arraphoes, has returned to Fort Laramie.  He has fought four pitched battles with the Indians, suffering a loss of only 27, while the savages had 400 or 600 killed and a large number of wounded.  [Patrick E. Connor]

Proposals are out for a government loan of $50,000,000,—5-30’s—payment to be made in compound interest notes, treasury notes, and certificates of indebtedness.

At Paducah, recently, white soldiers attacked negro troops and killed five or six of them.

The provisional governor of Mississippi has issued a proclamation accepting a proposition from the freedmen’s bureau to transfer all negro cases to the civil courts of the State, on condition that the freedmen shall be accorded all the rights and privileges extended to whites.  Orders have been issued from the freedman’s bureau in Louisiana to a similar effect.

Chaplain Callahan,¹ of the Freedman’s [sic] Bureau in Louisiana, has been arrested by General Canby [Edward Canby], on account, among other things, of his recent arrest and trial of Judge Weems.²

The United States district court, at St. Louis, Tuesday announced that the oath prescribed by the act of Congress of January 24th, 1865, was a rule of the court ;  whereupon several attorneys who had refused to take the state constitutional oath subscribed to the federal obligation.

The President [Andrew Johnson] is said to be strongly disposed to set aside the Louisiana constitution, of 1864, and to appoint a provisional governor ;  but Gov. Wells [James M. Wells] does not meet with favor in his eyes.

The democratic State convention of Louisiana have nominated J. M. Wells for governor.

It has been decided gradually to muster out the colored troops stationed in the Northern States, including Kentucky.

Accounts from Mexico continue to be of a most contradictory character.  According to one statement, the imperialists are sweeping everything before them ;  while other statements give tidings of uninterrupted republican success.

It is believed that a large portion of the military forces congregated on the north-western frontier, will soon be withdrawn.

Major Generals Casey and Heintzelman, of the volunteer service, have been ordered to rejoin their regiments in the regular army.  The former is colonel of the 4th regiment of infantry and the latter of the 17th.  [Silas Casey, Samuel P. Heintzelman]

Dr. Gwin, and ex-Governor Clark of Missouri have been arrested and committed to Fort Jackson.³

Dr. Gwin and ex-Governor Clark, of Missouri, are on their way to Washington from New Orleans, under arrest.

An Augusta paper states that a dispatch has been received at Atlanta announcing that Alexander H. Stephens has been pardoned, and will return to his home.

A Philadelphia dispatch asserts that Gen. Grant, a few days ago, declared that our government would vindicate the Monroe doctrine ;  that Maximilian must leave Mexico ;  and that President Johnson would take open ground in the matter on the meeting of Congress.  [Ulysses S. Grant]

Gen. Slocum’s resignation has been accepted by the President.  [Henry W. Slocum]

About 1,600 additional French troops have lately arrived in Mexico.  Some negro troops are expected there from Egypt ;  apprehensions are felt that they will bring cholera with them.

A Louisiana delegation, in an interview with the President on Wednesday, sustained Governor Wells, praised Gen. Sheridan, and blamed General Canby for the disorder and dissatisfaction prevalent in that State, alleging that his interference with civil matters had been the cause of all the difficulties.  [Philip H. Sheridan]

Little Six⁴ and Medicine Bottle,⁵ the Sioux chiefs, are to be hung on Wednesday of next week.

Ex-Governor Clarke [sic: Charles Clark], of Mississippi, who has for some months past been imprisoned at Fort Pulaski, has been set at liberty by order of the President.

Dick Turner, the keeper of the Libby prison, who is to be tried on the charge of maltreatment of Union prisoners, has engaged Marmaduke Johnson as his counsel ;  and strong hopes are expressed by that gentleman of a disapproval of the charges against his client.  [Richard “Dick” Turner]

Judge Caton⁶ denies the truth of the statement made “on the authority of William H. Smith,”⁷ that General Grant, in a conversation with him (Judge C.) declared that the Monroe Doctrine would be enforced by our government, and that Maximilian must leave Mexico.  The General, who arrived in Washington Friday morning is said to be “much annoyed at the publication of expressions erroneously attributed to him.”

A meeting of 60,000 freedmen was held at  Edgefield, Tennessee, on Thursday Brig. General Fisk made an address.  “He wanted to put the black man in the jury box and on the witness stand.”  It is expected that, within a few weeks, there will be a general cleaning out of the negroes at Nashville, arrangements having been perfected to procure work for them in various localities.

Dr. Mudd recently made an attempt to escape from Dry Tortugas, by secreting himself in the coal bunker of the steamer Thomas A. Scott.  He was detected and put to work wheeling sand.  [Samuel Mudd]

General Carl Schurz is at St. Louis, and intends, it is reported, to establish a radical (English) newspaper at that point.

General Conner [sic] has issued a circular announcing “war to the knife” against the Indians, and advising officers in command of expeditions never leave a trail until the savages are overtaken and punished.

The 3rd Illinois cavalry, after a march of 1,500 miles, have reached Fort Snelling, whence they will leave for home in about a week, to be mustered out of service.

Count Joannes⁸ has volunteered to act as consul for General Lee in case of the trial of the latter ;  and the general has accepted his offer.  [Robert E. Lee]

The total number of pardons thus far granted by the President is 2,658.  Among the parties who have recently been recipients of executive clemency is L. Pope Walker, the first rebel secretary of war.  [L. P. Walker]

The work of re-establishing lighthouses along the southern coast is in course of vigorous prosecution.

1.  Thomas Callahan, assistant superintendent of the Freedmen’s Bureau in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was chaplain for the 48th U.S. Colored Infantry.
2.  Judge James J. Weems (1796-1872) was arrested on September 8, 1865.
3.  William M. Gwin, ex-senator of California, and ex-Governor Clark of Texas, were involved in a scheme to settle colonists from the Confederacy in Mexico. The colonists would be protected by veteran Confederate soldiers. The scheme fell apart.
William McKendree Gwin (1805-1885) was well known in California, Washington, DC, and in the South as a determined southern sympathizer. He served as a U.S. Representative from Mississippi (1841-43), and was one of California’s first two U.S. senators—John C. Fremont being the other, serving from 1850-61. After the the colonization scheme failed and the war ended, Gwin returned to the United States, and, after being arrested briefly, he retired from public life..
Edward Clark (1815-1880) was the 8th governor of Texas, serving from March to November 1861. He had previously been the lieutenant governor under Sam Houston (1859-61) and secretary of state under Elisha M. Pease. Clark became governor when Sam Houston refused to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy. After losing the governor’s race by 124 votes to Francis Lubbock, Clark joined the 14th Texas Infantry as colonel. He was promoted to brigadier general after being wounded in battle. Clark fled to Mexico at the end of the War, staying only briefly.
4.  Medicine Bottle (1831-1865) was a Mdewakanton Dakota warrior, who played a part in the Dakota Conflict of 1862. His Dakota name was “Wa-Kan’-O-Zan-Zan” or Wakanozanzan, and he was also known as Rustling Wind Walker. In 1863 Medicine Bottle fled to Canada, and during the winter of 1864 he was captured there and brought to Fort Snelling (Minnesota). There he was tried and convicted by a military commission for his participation in the Dakota Conflict and sentenced to death. President Andrew Johnson confirmed the sentence. A crude gallows for two was built and, on November 11, 1865. Medicine Bottle was hanged at Fort Snelling, alongside his friend, Chief Shakopee (III).
5.  Little Six (1811-1865), also known as Chief Shakoppe (Shakopeela), was the third Mdewakanton Dakota chief of that name. He was a leader in the Dakota Conflict of 1862, during which he said he killed 13 women and children. Like Medicine Bottle, he fled to Canada in 1863 and was captured in 1864, returned to Minnesota, tried and convicted, and hanged on November 11, 1865.
6.  John Dean Caton (1812-1895) was lawyer in Illinois. Governor Thomas Carlin appointed Caton as an associate justice of the Illinois Supreme Court in August of 1842. He became chief justice when Samuel H. Treat resigned from the post in 1855. Caton himself resigned from the bench in 1864.
7.  Possibly William Henry Smith (1833-1896), a newspaper editor and Republican politician who was the 16th Ohio secretary of state (1865-68), or William Hugh Smith (1826-1899) who will become the 21st governor of Alabama (1868-70).
8.  George, Count Joannes (born George Jones, 1810-1879) was an English-American actor, author, journalist, and litigator best known for his eccentric behavior later in life. The Count’s many letters and other interactions with the famous became fodder for the newspapers, particularly after his return to America in 1859. He filed lawsuits against Horace Greeley, Edward Sothern, Massachusetts Governor John Albion Andrew, writer Francis Henry Underwood, The New York Times, and others. His correspondence with General Robert E. Lee offering to defend him against charges of treason was reported in the newspapers, as we see here.

1865 October 7: Horace Greeley in Prescott, Repairing Petersburg, and Other News

From The Prescott Journal of October 7, 1865.

MARRIAGES.

Married at River Falls, on the 3d. inst., by Rev. A. Gibson [Arrington Gibson], Mr. ALLEN HIGGINS, Serg’t Major 33d Reg. Wis. Volunteers, Kenosha, Wis., and Miss ROSANA FARNSWORTH, of River Falls, Wis.

  HORACE GREELY spoke here last Saturday evening.  It was late before he arrived, but a large audience collected to see the veteran journalist and politician.

Gleanings.

— Major General Banks has made his final adieu to New Orleans.  [Nathaniel P. Banks]

— Jefferson Davis has received the present of a case of choice liquor from some friends in Richmond.  He can now “drown his sorrows in the flowing bowl.”

— It is estimated that the sum of fifteen thousand dollars will be required to put the streets of Petersburg, Va., in order.

— The bloodhounds Hero and Jack, used to guard Union prisoners at Richmond and Andersonville, have been bought by George K. Goodwin of Boston, for $1,400.

—Letters recently received from the family of Judge Bates, late Attorney General, represent the health of that distinguished gentleman to be such as to create the most serious apprehensions.  [Edward Bates]

— It is but little known that the first anti-slavery paper started in the United States was published in East Tennessee.  It was called The Emancipator, and published at Greenville, the home of President Johnson, by Benjamin F. Lundy, a Friend in religious faith, and a native of Belmont county, Ohio.

— Brig. Gen. James P. Brownlow, son of the Tennessee “Parson,” is to be married to a daughter of Dr. Cliff of Frankfort.  President Johnson is expected to be present at the wedding.  [William G. “Parson” Brownlow, Andrew Johnson]

— A correspondent describes Provisional Governor Sharkey, of Mississippi, as being the embodiment of conservatism.  His spinal column is proverbially week, he is a pliable as a lump of dough, is immensely gullible, and slightly bibulous.  [William L. Sharkey]

—The Claremont N. H. Advocate says, a lady in Unity, not long since became the mother of a fine daughter.  A few days after, a copperhead neighbor happening in, said to the mother, “Well, I suppose you will call it Abe Lincoln.”  “No,” she replied; “I am sorry I can’t.  Like your friend Jeff. [Jefferson Davis] it will wear petticoats.”  Copperhead vamoosed.

1865 October 7: Telegraphic Summary

Once again The Prescott Journal of October 7, 1865, is using for its inside pages news printed by a Milwaukee newspaper.  It is unknown if The Polk County Press also used those printed pages because the October 7, 1865, issue is not on the microfilm roll.

Telegraphic Summary.

The election of delegates to the North Carolina convention, took place on Tuesday last.  Governor Holden in a dispatch under date of Saturday, says that half of the State has been heard from, and that the result was very gratifying.  [W. W. Holden]

In the Alabama State Convention, on Monday, the act of secession was declared null and void,—the vote on the question being unanimous.  The subject of the State debt has been referred to a committee, who will report in a few days.  The South Carolina State Convention refused to allow negroes to form a part of the basis of representation.

The amount of the 10-40 loan authorized by Congress was $200,000,000.  Of this $174,000,000 was issued when operations in connection with the loan were discontinued.  It is now thought probably that Secretary McCulloch will soon place the remaining 27,000,000 on the market.  [Hugh McCulloch]

Among the pardon-seekers now in Washington is L. Pope Walker, the first rebel secretary of war, who sent the order to Beauregard, “Open fire on Fort Sumter.”  [L. P. Walker, P. G. T. Beauregard]

The South Carolina convention, in its ordinance abolishing slavery, places the ground of abolition upon the fact that the slaves have been de facto emancipated by the act of the United States.

No request has been made of the government to allow Jeff. Davis to testify in the case of boat burners at St. Louis, though it is probably that such a request may yet be preferred.  [Jefferson Davis]

The belief is entertained at Washington that Howell Cobb has been arrested on charge of complicity in the Andersonville barbarities.

A train with General Grant on board and another with General Sherman, met with accidents on Tuesday ;  but neither of the distinguished officers experienced any injury.  [Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman]

In Roberts Co., Tennessee, recently, a gang of guerrillas perpetrated indiscriminate robbery and murder.  Harper is supposed to be the leader of the gang.

A grand jury in Kentucky has indicted Gens. Palmer and Brisbin,¹ “for abducting slaves, and otherwise interfering with the slave law” of that State.   [John M. Palmer]

By order of Governor Wells, a State and Congressional election will be held in Louisiana on the 6th of November.  [James M. Wells]

A life of Mrs. Surratt [Mary Surratt] is being written by Mr. Aiken,² one of her counsel.

The South Carolina state Convention has adjourned, after a session of fifteen days.  During its session, it repealed the ordinance of secession ;  abolished slavery ;  established epuality [sic] of taxation and representation in the senate ;  gaye [sic] the election of governor and presidential electors to the people ;  directed that legislative votes should be given viva voce³ ;  indorsed President Johnson [Andrew Johnson] ;  made provision for a code for the protection of colored people ;  appointed a committee to visit the president in behalf of Jeff. Davis, Governor Magrath [Andrew G. Magrath] and Mr. Trenholm⁴ ;  nominated James L. Orr⁵ for governor ; fixed the election for governor and legislature on the 18th of October, and the congressional election in November ;  and provided for an extra session of the legislature on the 25th proximo.  Governor Perry [Benjamin F. Perry], it is understood, will be sent to the United States senate.

The Alabama state convention has ordered a State election to take place on the first Monday of November.  An ordinance has been adopted repudiating the Confederate States debt, all State debts contracted in aid of the rebellion, and forbidden the passage by the general assembly of any measure providing for the payment of such debts.  The constitutional amendments adopted by the convention are to be submitted to a vote of the people.

It is said that the President has promised Gov. Bramlette [Thomas E. Bramlette] to relieve Kentucky at once from martial law, that the removal of General Palmer [John M. Palmer] has been determined upon, and that General Gordon Granger will be his successor.

Colonel John Orr,⁶ late of the 124th Indianan regiment, committed suicide at Connorsville, in that state on Wednesday, by shooting himself through the head.  Colonel Orr was wounded at Arkansas Post by the concision of a shell, and is said to have been subject to periodical fits of partial derangement ever since, in one of which, it is believed, he did the fatal deed.

The regular army, it is state “on good authority,” will hereafter consist of 50,000 men.  This number is expected to be reached within a few months, the average enlistments now being 300 per day, the men being mostly discharged soldier of the volunteer army.

General Lee has written a letter to a friend at Petersburg, in which he urges an avoidance of controversy as to the past, and a cultivation of friendly feeling.  [Robert E. Lee]

1.  James Sanks Brisbin (1837-1892) was a teacher, newspaper editor, lawyer, and prominent anti-slavery speaker before the Civil War. When the War broke out, he enlisted as a private in a Pennsylvania regiment but was quickly appointed a 2nd lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Dragoons and participated in the First Battle of Bull Run, where he was wounded. He was appointed a captain in the 6th U.S. Cavalry and was wounded again in action near Beverly Ford, Virginia. In 1863 he was brevetted major and was wounded again in combat near Greenbrier, Virginia. In the 1864 he was promoted to colonel and organized the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry. He served as the acting head of cavalry on the staff of Brig. Gen. Albert L. Lee during the Red River Campaign and was again wounded during the Battle of Mansfield. In December 1864 Brisbin received several more brevet ranks, including brigadier general in the Union Army and lieutenant colonel in the regular army. In 1865 he was on recruiting duty in Kentucky, and in May was promoted to brigadier general. After the War, Brisbin remained in the regular army, aiding in the establishment of other colored regiments. He was in command of the 2nd Cavalry of General John Gibbon’s Montana Column at the time of the Little Big Horn campaign. Of local interest, he is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Red Wing, Minnesota.
2.  Frederick Aiken (1832-1878) was one of Mary Surrat’s defense attorneys when she was tried for conspiracy in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Aiken was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1859 and served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Little is known of his war service other than he was a captain in 1862 and a colonel by the end of the War, participated in the Battle of Williamsburg, and was an aide-de-camp for General Winfield S. Hancock.  After the War, Aiken and John Clampitt set up a law practice in Washington, D.C. Surratt’s official defense counsel was Reverdy Johnson, a former Attorney General and then-Senator from Maryland, but he did not participate much in the trial, leaving much of the defense to Aiken and Clampitt, who were both relatively new lawyers. Aiken and Clampitt were woefully unprepared for this big of a task. Their defense relied on trying to debunk the testimony of the prosecution’s two chief witnesses, but instead ended up strengthening the prosecution’s case. The defense was unsuccessful and Mary Surratt was hanged on July 7, 1865.
3.  Latin phrase meaning the votes were given orally, rather than in writing.
4.  George Alfred Trenholm (1807-1876) was a prominent politician in the Confederate States of America and served as their Secretary of the Treasury during the final year of the Civil War. At the beginning of the Civil War broke out, his business company had become the Confederate government’s overseas banker. With an office in London, it arranged for Confederate cotton to be sold, and financed its own fleet of blockade runners. Christopher Memminger used Trenholm as an unofficial adviser throughout his own term as Secretary of the Treasury. Trenholm was appointed to that post on July 18, 1864. He was a more charismatic figure than his predecessor, and this helped him with the press and with the Confederate Congress.
5.  James Lawrence Orr (1822-1873) was the 73rd governor of South Carolina, serving from 1865 to 1868. Before the Civil War, Orr served in the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina (1849-59) and was speaker of the House (1857-58). After the outbreak of the Civil War, Orr organized and commanded Orr’s Regiment of South Carolina Rifles, which saw little action before he resigned in 1862. He then became a senator from South Carolina in the Confederate Senate (1862-65), where he was a strong proponent of states’ rights. In 1872 President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Orr as Minister to Russia in a gesture of post-Civil War reconciliation. Orr died in St. Petersburg, Russia, shortly after arriving to begin his service as Minister.
6.  John M. Orr (1829-1865) committed suicide on September 27, 1865.

1865 September 30: Telegraphic Summary

The following summary of news comes from the September 30, 1865, issue of both The Prescott Journal and The Polk County Press.  Both papers have identical inside pages, with Milwaukee advertisements.

Telegraphic Summary.

A delegation from Texas is in Washington, urging the release of Jeff Davis.  [Jefferson Davis]

The South Carolina convention has repealed the ordinance of succession—there being three votes in the negative.

The trial of the rebel burners of steamboats commenced in St. Louis, before a military commission, Tuesday.  The counsel for one of the defendants gave notice that he should summon, among his witnesses, Jeff. Davis, the rebel secretaries Seddon [James Seddon] and Mallory [Stephen R. Mallory], and Admirals Farragut [David G. Farragut] and Porter [David D. Porter].

Champ Ferguson’s¹ trial, at Nashville, was closed Tuesday, and the decision of the court has been forwarded to General Stoneman.  [George Stoneman]

In the Indian council at Fort Smith, on Monday, the treaty was signed by the rebel Creeks, Cherokees, Osages, Comanches, Choctaws and Chickasaws.

The late rebel Gen. Pillow is in Washington seeking pardon.  [Gideon J. Pillow]

The total number of colored troops enlisted in the army was 180,000.  Of these, 50,000 have died or been killed, and 60,000 of the remainder have been ordered mustered out.

The Secretary of the Treasury has addressed addressed [sic] a letter to officers of customs, allowing the shipment to the Southern States of firearms and ammunition for sporting, and blast powder for mining purposes, the amounts to be left at their own discretion.

The notorious John H. Surratt, one of the assassination conspirators, and son of Mrs. Surratt [Mary Surratt] who was executed, was recently seen in Montreal where he has been concealed.  He is on the eve of leaving for Scotland.

Private letters from the 12th Illinois cavalry, of September 3d, announce the arrival of Custar’s [sic] Division at Hempshead, Texas,  on the Texas central railroad, forty miles north of Houston, where the command would remain three weeks.  The division is composed of the 5th and 12th Illinois, 7th Indiana, 2d Wisconsin [emphasis added], and 1st Iowa, all cavalry, in two brigades.  It left Alexandria, La., August 8th, and performed the march of nearly 350 miles in nineteen days.  It was expected next to proceed to Austin, 175 miles, stay several weeks, and afterwards to San Antonio, 80 miles, at which latter place Gen. Merritt’s cavalry division is already arrived.   [Wesley Merritt]

In the Alabama State Convention, on the 20th, the provisional Governor was requested, by resolution, to call out the militia for the suppression of prevalent lawlessness.  The consideration of the ordinance abolishing slavery was postponed, after debate, till the following day.

A dispatch from Washington says it is understood that the President regards with disfavor the extent of power exercised by agents of the Freedmen’s Bureau; and he is expected to make some changes in this regard.

The report that Jeff. Davis’ quarters at Fortress Monroe had been changed is contradicted.

Hannibal Hamlin, Horace Greeley, General Fremont and other notabilities, are expected to arrive at Detroit to-day, on board the revenue cutter Commodore Perry.  [Horace Greeley, John C. Fremont]

Fayette McMullen, of Virginia, who was formerly a member of the federal, and latterly of the rebel congress, has received a pardon.

Kenneth Raynor and Alfred Dockery, of North Carolina, and John McQueen, of South Carolina, all formerly members of the United States congress, have also been pardoned.

General Blair, who is in temporary command of the department of the Missouri, during the temporary absence of General Pope, has been assigned to the command of the cavalry in that department.  [Francis P. Blair, John Pope]

Iowa is credited by the provost marshal general with 76,000 troops—3,000 less than she claims.

In the case of the steamboat burner Murphy, at St. Louis, Friday, the motion of his cou[n]sel to summon Jeff. Davis and his cabinet as witnesses, was overruled.

A mutiny has occurred among the troops at Fort Rice, and some of them decamped on government horses.

General Sully’s force has returned from Devil’s lake to Fort Rice.  Nothing was accomplished by the expedition.  [Alfred Sully]

1.  Irregular guerrilla forces under the notorious Champ Ferguson murdered white and black Union soldiers who had been wounded and captured. Ferguson was tried after the War for these and other non-military killings and was found guilty and executed.

1865 September 23: Telegraphic Summary

The following summary of the week’s news comes from the September 23, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.

Telegraphic Summary.

A large Southern delegation, representing nine States waited upon the President Monday. Their spokesman assured Mr. Johnson [Andrew Johnson] of their belief that his policy would be earnestly resisted by the South. The President, in reply, made a speech of half an hour’s length, in which he stated that he did not credit the newspaper reports of disaffection of the South, and declared that he had confidence in the loyal professions of the people of that section.

It is announced that General Slocum [Henry W. Slocum], commanding in Mississippi, has tendered his resignation, in consequence of the endorsement of Gov. Sharkey [William L. Sharkey] by the president.

In the selection of delegates to the constitutional convention of South Carolina, on Tuesday last, the Unionists choose about only one-fourth of the number.  Wade Hampton and several other rebel officers were elected by large majorities.

Missouri furnished 104,758 troops during the war—over one-third of whom were supplied by St. Louis.

General McCook took command at Willmington, North Carolina, on the 7th instant, in place of General Ames.¹

Secretary Howard made a visit to Richmond on Sunday, returning to Washington Monday.

The report now in, that Jeff Davis [Jefferson Davis] will be tried at Richmond, immediately after a disposition is made of the case of Wirz [Henry Wirz].

The Minnesota democratic state convention met at St. Paul on the 7th instant, on adjournment from the 16th ultimo. The following nominations were made :  For governor, Henry M. Rice ;  for lieutenant governor, Captain C. W. Nash ;  for secretary of state, Major John R. Jones ;  for treasurer of state, Frank Hyderstadt ;  for attorney general, William Lohren.  Resolutions were adopted, “recognizing the civil and military acts of President Johnson, the fearless patriot, the able statesman, the honest man; and pleading to his wise and patriotic measures of the restoration of the Union, our cordial support ;”  also favoring the equalization of bounties, so that soldiers raised in 1861 and ’62 shall receive the same amount of those raised in 1863 and ’64.

At a meeting in Detroit Monday, General Cass [Lewis Cass] subscribed $1,000 to the fund for a Michigan soldiers monument.

Orders have been issued to muster out all of the northern negro troops in the departments of North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas; for the muster out of 8,000 more white troops in the department of Arkansas ;  and for the reduction to 6,000 men of the volunteer force in Gen. Augur’s command [Christopher C. Augur].

A Richmond paper states that Gen. Grant, in response to a letter from Gen. Lee, enclosed a copy of a letter he had written to the federal authorities, declaring that, under the terms of the rebel general’s surrender, the indictment found against him at Norfolk was an inadmissible proceeding.  [Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee]

A Washington dispatch to the New York Herald says: “It is thought that the military force will soon be withdrawn from Virginia, and the power to maintain order placed in the hands of the militia, the same as the case of Mississippi.”

Three ex-rebels, two generals, and a clergyman waited upon General Howard on Tuesday, and expressed great satisfaction at the workings of the freedman’s bureau.  [O. O. Howard]

An interview between Generals Meade [George C. Meade] and Gillmore [Quincy A. Gillmore] and Governor Perry [Benjamin F. Perry] has resulted in a partial restoration of civil authority in South Carolina,—civil courts being established for the trial of all cases except those of freedmen.

Returns of the election of delegates to the South Carolina Conventions are as yet limited ;  but, so far as received, they indicate a general defeat of the Union tickets.  The secession citizens are, naturally, much pleased at the result.

In the Kentucky annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, Wednesday, question of reunion with the church north was decided in the negative.

The train from Louisville to Nashville on Sunday last, was fired upon by a party of guerrillas.  No injury was sustained by anyone on board.

The bushwhacker Wilson, whose death sentence was commuted by Governor Oglesby [Richard J. Oglesby] to twenty-five years imprisonment, has made a confession, which implicates in his misdeeds several leading copperheads of Quincy and vicinity.

A letter published from General Slocum, dated at Vicksburg, on the 31st ultimo, expressing a willingness to accept the democratic nomination for secretary of state of New York, providing the convention should endorse his views.  He is, it seems, in favor of allowing the southern states “to decide who shall, and who shall not be entitled to the right of suffrage ;”  of a reduction of the national debt ;  of “the substitution of civil for military courts ;”  and of “a more careful observance of the constitutional rights of states and individuals.”

General Strong, inspector of the freedmen’s bureau, in a report which will soon be published, giving the results of the recent observation upon the condition of the negroes along the Mississippi and Red Rivers, states that they are making very rapid advancement, industrially and educationally.

During General Meade’s recent tour through Virginia and the Carolinas, he made arrangements, under the authority of the government, for the gradual withdraw of the federal troops, and the resumption of civil law.

The specie captured from Davis, and recently brought to Washington, is detained by the Richmond banks.

Vessels arrived at San Francisco report the capture by the pirate Shenandoah, in the Arctic seas, of thirty whalers (including those previously mentioned),—twenty-six of which were burned and four bouded [sic].

Herechel V. Johnson, of Georgia, has paid a visit to Alexander H. Stephens, at Fort Warren, and reports that he is comfortably situated.  Mr. Stephens’ brother, Linton, is with him.

It was reported that Captain Wirz had died ;  but the fact is, that there has been an improvement in his health.

“Extra Billy” Smith, the late rebel governor of Virginia, has been given permission to visit Washington.  [William Smith]

The fellow who sold the Andersonville prison records to the government, and afterwards, purloined them, has been tried by court martial, and his sentence is awaiting the approval of the proper authorities.

The statement is contradicted that all the federal troops are soon to be withdrawn from the South.

1.  Adelbert Ames (1835-1933) was an American sailor, soldier, and politician. Born in Maine, he grew p to be a sailor on a clipper ship until 1856 when he entered West Point, graduating on May 6, 1861, just after the Civil War started. He served with distinction at First Battle of Bull Run, was badly wounded, but received the Medal of Honor in 1893 for his performance at the battle. He then fought in the Peninsula Campaign, the Battle of Yorktown, the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, and the Battle of Malvern Hill, the last being commended for his conduct. In August 1862 Ames took command of the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry and served in the Maryland Campaign and the Chancellorsville Campaign. Ames was promoted to brigadier general in May 1863, two weeks after the Battle of Chancellorsville. Ames assumed brigade command in the XI Corps of the Army of the Potomac. After the Battle of Gettysburg, his division was sent to South Carolina and Florida and in 1864 was part of Butler’s Bermuda Hundred Campaign and the Siege of Petersburg. (Ames became Butler’s son-in-law in 1870.) In 1865 he received a brevet promotion to major general for his role in the Second Battle of Fort Fisher.
A Radical Republican, Ames served as the 27th governor of Mississippi (military/provisional governor), appointed by Congress in 1868; U.S. senator from Mississippi (1870-74); and 30th governor (civilian) serving from 1874-76.
After leaving office, Ames settled briefly in Northfield, Minnesota, where he joined his father and brother in their flour-milling business. He was living there in 1876 when Jesse James and his gang of former Confederate guerrillas raided the town’s bank.
In 1898 he served as a United States Army general during the Spanish-American War, fighting in Cuba. Ames was the last surviving full-rank general from the Civil War to die, dying at age 97 in 1933.

1865 September 16: Wisconsin’s Proposed Constitutional Amendment on Black Suffrage

The following proposed amendment to the Wisconsin state constitution appeared in the September 16, 1865, issue of The Polk County Press, and the September 23, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment.

CHAPTER 414.

AN ACT to extend the right of suffrage.

The People of the State of Wisconsin, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows :

Section 1.  The right of voting is hereby extended to male persons of African blood, who shall have attained the age of twenty-one years or upwards, with the same qualifications and restrictions now imposed upon other voters in section one of the article on suffrage, in the constitution.

Section 2.  This act, before it takes effect, shall be submitted to the people, at a general election, to be held on the Tuesday next, succeeding the first Monday of November, 1865, when if such majority of votes as is required by the constitution, be cast for it, it shall be of force and effect under the requirements hereinafter prescribed ;  but if such majority be not cast for it, it shall have no force or effect.

Section 3.  The ballot to be used on this occasion, shall be for the affirmative, “for extension of suffrage,” for the negative, “for the extension of suffrage, no,” which shall be on the general ballot used at the said election and deposited in the same box, and all persons qualified by law to vote at any election in this State, shall be deemed voters on this question.

Section 4.  These votes shall be counted and returned by the inspectors of the election, in all respects as votes for state officers are counted and returned.

Section 5.  The officers now delegated by law to canvass the returns of votes for the state officers shall canvass the return on this question, at the same place and under the same regulations and restrictions now provided by law for canvassing and declaring the returns of elections for state officers.

Section 6.  Within three days after the determination of such canvass, it shall be the duty of the canvasser to certify the result of the said canvass to the governor, who shall, thereupon, without delay, make proclamation of the result, and publish the same daily and weekly for two weeks, in all newspapers printed in the state ;  when, if the results shall be in favor of the extension of suffrage, this act shall immediately after publication, be of force and effect ;  but if not in favor of it, then this act shall have no force or effect.

Section 7.  This act, immediately after its passage, shall be published, and at least three months previously to said general election, the secretary of state shall send or cause to be sent, a correct copy of it to every newspaper in the state, which newspaper, upon the publication of the same shall be entitled to pay for the same out of the state treasury, at the rates paid for other legal advertising.

Approved April 10, 1865.

____________

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, }
MADISON, July 18, 1865. }

The publisher of each paper in this state, will please publish the above act once each week for three months prior to the next general election, and send his bill to this office for payment.

LUCIUS FAIRCHILD,
.         .Secretary of State.

1865 September 9: Henry Wirz Asks for Safe Passage

This account by Henry H. Wirz, a Confederate captain at Andersonville Prison, comes from the September 9, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.  This account is addressed to James H. Wilson, who captured Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and was the federal officer in command at Macon, Georgia.

Wirz’ Account of Himself.

ANDERSONVILLE,Ga.  May 7, 1865.—It is with great reluctance that I address you these lines, being fully aware how little time is left you to attend to such matters as I now have the honor to lay before you, and if I could see any other way to accomplish my object I would not intrude upon you.  I am a native of Switzerland, and was before the war a citizen of Louisiana, by profession a physician.  Like hundreds and thousands of others I was carried away by the maelstrom of excitement and joined the Southern army.  I was very seriously wounded at the battle of the Seven Pines [May 31-June 1, 1862] near Richmond, Va., and have nearly lost the use of my right arm.  Unfit for field duty, I was ordered to report to Brevet General John H. Winder, in charge of Federal prisoners of war, who ordered me to take charge of a prison in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

My health failing me, I applied for a furlough and went to Europe, from whence I returned in February, 1864 ;  I was then ordered to report to the commandant of the military prison at Andersonville, Ga. who assigned me to the command of the interior of the prison ;  the duties I had to perform were arduous and unpleasant, and am satisfied that no man can or will justly blame me for things that happened here, and which were beyond my power to control ;  I do no think that I ought to be held responsible for the shortness of rations, for for the over-crowded state of the prison, which was in itself a prolific source of the fearful mortality, for the inadequate supplies of clothing, want of shelter, &c., &c. ;  still I now bear the odium, and men who were prisoners here seem disposed to wreak their vengeance upon me for what they have suffered, who was only the medium, or, I may better say, the tools in the hands of my superiors.  This is my condition ;  I am a man with a family ;  I lost all my property when the Federal army besieged Vicksburg ;  I have no money at present to go anyplace, and even if I had I know of no place where I could go ;  my life is in danger, and I most respectfully ask of you help and relief.  If you will be so generous as to give me some sort of a safe conduct, or what I should greatly prefer, a guard to protect myself and family against violence, I shall be thankful to you, and you may rest assured that your protection will not be given to one who is unworthy of it.  My intention is to return with my family to Europe as soon as I can make the arrangements.  In the meantime, I have the honor, General, to remain very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. Y.[sic] WIRZ, Captain C. S. A.

Major General J. H. Wilson, United State Army, commanding Macon, Georgia.

1865 September 9: The Question of Negro Suffrage in Wisconsin

The following editorial comes from The Prescott Journal of September 9, 1865.

Negro Suffrage.

The question of Negro suffrage in this State is exciting a good deal of discussion.  The Democratic papers and talkers, believing Negro Suffrage to be unpopular, are untiring in their assertions that it is a principle of the Union Party and the leading idea of that organization.

The fact is, it is a principle of no party now.  It will be supported by many, we think a majority, of the Union party, and by a good many strong Democrats, and it will be opposed by the majority of the Democratic party and by a good many Republicans.  The Union State Convention may adopt it as a party tenant and may not.

We are not called to decide the question of negro suffrage at the South.  That question is a very serious one, and most of the talk on it as yet, has been crude and unsatisfactory.  It needs more time and knowledge to decide that question.

But in this State there is no need of hesitancy or doubt.  The negro bears all the burdens of Government, and it is simple justice to confer on him its privileges.  Are they ignorant?  We will show you white voters more so.  Is there an inborn repugnance to associating with them?  We grant it ;  but their names stood on the enrollment list with yours, and you made no objection.  The companionship of the poll list is no closer than that.

Let us do justice.  Give the colored man his right to vote, and then if you do not like it, when his right of suffrage is taken away, relieve him of all the burdens of Government, except such as other aliens living here must bear.