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RECOLLECTIONS WITH THE THIRD IOWA REGIMENT:
by
LIEUT. S. D. THOMPSON.
Cincinnati:
Published for the Author.
1864.
Entered according to Act of Congress,
in the year eighteen hundred and sixty-four, by
Lieut. S. D. Thompson
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the U. S.
for the Southern District of Ohio.
PREFACE.
At the solicitation of some of my comrades, the pages of this book
were for the most part compiled from a diary which I kept during most
of the two years I served with them, and which was written amid the
scenes it attempts to describe. To furnish them a faithful account of
the principal scenes through which they passed during this period,
including sketches of the operations in which they were engaged,
and of which our Regiment formed a part; a record of what they saw,
and did, and suffered, such as I thought they would like to read
in future days, has been my object in presenting it in this shape.
As it was written for my comrades, to them I dedicate it; and in
giving it to the public, I have only to say that if it suits them, it
suits me. With regard to facts which have since become history, to
which I have had occasion to refer, I may have committed some errors
and inaccuracies; my book was not written in the library of the
historian, but in the tent of the soldier, and with few exceptions
without other information than such as observation and report could
supply. In speaking of prominent officers under whom we served, I
have not forgotten that some of them are still my superior officers,
and that it in nowise comports with my duties as a soldier to assume
to be their historian or critic. But the time has come when the
conduct of those who have passed into civil life may be criticized
by those who were their inferiors in the military service. Of such
I have endeavored to speak honestly but _plainly_, remembering that
they dealt plainly with us.
I am under obligations to Col. Scott, 32d Iowa, Lieut. Chas. P.
Brown, A. A. Q. M., Fort Pickering, W. B. Lakin, Esq., College Hill,
Ohio, for valuable favors and assistance. I trust that time will
afford me opportunities of paying them in a better manner than by
this public acknowledgment.
And now I give these pages to the public, with the single regret that
the deeds of men who have so many titles to honor and gratitude could
not have been better recorded and by a more worthy hand.
S. D. THOMPSON,
FORT PICKERING, Memphis, Tenn., March, 1864.
CONTENTS.
Page.
Preface 3
CHAPTER I.
The "uprising" in Iowa--Patriotism of the people--The
Third Regiment--Its character and composition--Spirit and
ideas of its members--Our colonel--Our visit to Camp Ellsworth
and the First Iowa--The Second and First Iowa advance into
Missouri--Our quarters--Our ideas of our treatment--Poor
fare, and what some of us "did about it"--Our duties--Complaints
about pay--Our arms--We go into camp--Our first
camp experience--We chafe exceedingly under the yoke of
discipline--Marching orders 13
CHAPTER II.
We break up camp at Keokuk--The parting occasion--The
last lingering look--A pleasant steamboat ride--Two nights
and a day at Hannibal--We advance by rail into the interior
of Missouri--Dangers attending the movement--We halt at
Chillicothe, Grand River bridge and Utica--Leaving the cars
and camping for the night--Condition of the country--Our
first night alarm--How we celebrated the Fourth of July--Our
uniform--Our rations--Our discipline--Colonel Williams
arrives and assumes command--Colonel Smith visits
and consults with him--Another false alarm 29
CHAPTER III.
Operations of the rebel general Harris--Three companies
of our regiment detailed to join an expedition against him--We
are allowed ten minutes for preparation--We join a portion
of the Sixteenth Illinois at Palmyra, and with them
return to Monroe--The movement delayed by a storm--Consultation
of officers--The column moves--Skirmish of Hager's
Woods--We delay and finally camp for the night--And in the
morning begin to retreat--Our train burned and the enemy
in our rear--A threatened skirmish--He cuts off our communications
and surrounds in large force--Cool conduct of Colonel
Smith--We begin to fortify--A night of expectation--Details
of our situation--The enemy opens with artillery--And
begins to draw in his lines--We lie in our trenches and
reserve our fire--Aid in the right time--The enemy quits the
field in panic--An accident--Col. Williams arrives with a
portion of the Third Iowa 43
CHAPTER IV.
We prepare to march from Monroe--Arrival of Governor
Wood with cavalry and artillery; and of the Fourteenth
Illinois--How Mr. Dugan speaks of this in his book--A change
of counsels--The Third Iowa moves west on a train--Circumstances
of the ride--Failure of an attempt to burn the Chariton
River bridge--A few details--How young soldiers originate
false alarms--Our camp at Chillicothe--General Hurlbut
assumes command of the troops on the Hannibal and St. Joseph
Railroad--We draw our accoutrements at last--We leave
Chillicothe and go into camp at Brookfield 61
CHAPTER V.
Activity of the rebels--Colonel Martin Green--We are
ordered against him--Details and incidents of the march
from Mason City to Kirksville--Character of the Home
Guards--Condition of the country--Our situation at
Kirksville--Details of our occupation of that place--Arrival
of reinforcements under Gen. Hurlbut--Our complaints and
expectations 73
CHAPTER VI.
Lieut. Call reconnoiters and reports the enemy's position--Colonel
Scott desires to attack him with the Third Iowa, the Home Guarda
and the artillery--Gen. Hurlbut declines his consent--Dangers
of such a movement--Disappointment of the men--The General
reviews the troops--And issues a proclamation--He
sends it by a flag of truce to Green's camp--Green
don't see the point, but takes the hint and gets ready
to leave--The General issues an order against plundering--Further
details of our condition--A detachment goes to Lancaster
after supplies--Escape and pursuit of Green--Details
of the march--Suffering, straggling and plundering--Night
at Wilsonsville--night at Bear Creek--Scouts from Moore--Junction
with Moore at Bethel--Appearance of the place--Character
and hospitality of the inhabitants--Change of plans--Moore
and Smith pursue the enemy--Hurlbut and Scott move directly
toward the railroad--Noon at Shelbyville--Another
proclamation--A man straggles ahead of the column and is
shot by the bushwhackers--Night at Shelbina--The
situation--We proceed to Brookfield 89
CHAPTER VII.
The expedition to Paris--The forces engaged in it--Details
of the movement to that place--Conduct of Colonel Williams
and Lieut. Col. Blair while there--They return speedily to
Shelbina--Green pursues and confronts them with a large
force--Details of the affair at Shelbina--Colonel Williams
retreats to Hudson where he meets General Hurlbut with
reinforcements--The propriety of the retreat discussed--The
account of the Rebellion Record 104
CHAPTER VIII.
We break up camp at Brookfield and proceed toward
Shelbina--Junction with Smith and Moore--Gen. Pope assumes
command--Hurlbut and Williams proceed to St. Louis in
arrest--Pope leads a night march against Green at Florida--Feelings
of the troops--Circumstances of that affair--Report
of General Fremont concerning it--We return to the railroad
and proceed to Macon--Arrival of Generals Pope and Sturgis
at that point--Prospect of active movements 112
CHAPTER IX.
Col. Smith with his own regiment and five companies of
the Thirty-ninth Ohio, proceed to Platte River bridge and
commence repairing it--Col. Scott is ordered to co-operate
with him against the rebels in that vicinity--We proceed to
Cameron by railroad, impress transportation and march
toward Liberty--The first night--Second day's march--Second
night at Centerville--Cannonading in the distance--Our
feelings--Lieut. Call reconnoiters as far as Liberty--We
move at 3 A. M.--At sunrise drive back the enemy's pickets
and camp at Liberty--No tidings from Smith--Cannonading
in the direction of Independence and probabilities of an
engagement across the river--Col. Scott resolves to
attack--BATTLE OF BLUE MILLS LANDING 120
CHAPTER X.
Arrival of Smith--His march from the railroad--Why he
arrived too late--Our feelings on his arrival--The situation
the morning after the battle--What should have been done--Smith
starts for St. Joseph--Burying the dead and caring for the
wounded--Scott's official report--Comments on the same--Gallantry
of Scott and Lakin--Official report of the enemy--Estimate
of his force--Account in the Missouri Republican--Account
in Pollard's "First Year of the War"--The necessity
and merits of the battle 135
CHAPTER XI.
We start for the railroad--Arrival at Centerville--Arrival
of a courier from Sturgis--March to Plattsburg--Orders from
Sturgis--Turn toward Kansas City--Night at Smithville--March
resumed toward Liberty--Sturgis retreats three days
from an enemy who does not pursue--We think his pursuers
turn against us, and turn to the west to elude them--Strike
the Missouri at Parkville and prepare to cross on a flatboat--A
steamboat arrives and conveys us to Leavenworth--We
return next day to Wyandotte--Our stay at Wyandotte--Move
to Kansas City--Arrival of Lane's Brigade--Comparison
between Lane and Sturgis--They quarrel about precedence
in rank--Lane moves out of town--Hospitality of the
citizens 152
CHAPTER XII.
The troops leave Kansas City--We are not in a condition
to march South--Rumored removal of the regiment to
Quincy--Proceed by steamboat and railroad to Quincy--Our
arrival and situation there--We are paid and prepare to
leave--The citizens give a ball in our honor--Incidents
of that night--We proceed to Benton Barracks--Col. Williams,
his release, conduct, and re-arrest--Changes--Our sanitary
condition--We are ordered to the North Missouri
Railroad--Disgraceful conduct of certain captains 165
CHAPTER XIII.
Preparations--We move North by railroad--Details of the
ride--March from the railroad--Night on the frozen ground--Feelings
and conduct of the soldiers toward the citizens--Night
at Martinsburg--March to Mexico--Character of the
citizens--Bad conduct of certain of the men--What the
Major did about it--His speech--Its effect--An excess of
quinine and lack of bread--Return march to Martinsburg--The
New Year--March to Wellsville--Sickness--Conduct and
character of Surgeon Edwards--Foraging and plundering--Movement
of troops to the front--Anxiety to go with them--Fort
Donelson--Discontent at being left in the rear--Trial
and release of Col. Williams--He assumes command and
begins reforms--Marching orders 175
CHAPTER XIV.
Leave Mexico for St Louis--Conduct of some of the men
and officers--Journey from St. Louis to Savannah, Tenn.--Scenes
on the passage--Captain Albert Hobbs--Loyalty of the
people on the Tennessee river--Move to Pittsburg Landing--The
situation--Criticism, &c. 189
CHAPTER XV.
The enemy's reconnoissance April 4th--The alarm 5th
April--THE BATTLE OF SHILOH--The soldier's impression of a
battle--Stragglers and their shameful conduct--The different
movements and positions of our division and brigade in the
battle--Appearance of General Grant--Gallant charge and
repulse of a rebel brigade 206
CHAPTER XVI.
The enemy massing against the left--Our successful stand--Retreat
and our successive positions therein--We form the
left of Prentiss--His gallant conduct and capture--Capture
of Major Stone--He and Prentiss vindicated--Scene on the
bluff--Night and Buell--The cannonade--The night 221
CHAPTER XVII.
The battle on Monday--Defeat of the enemy's right wing--Firmness
of the left--Gallant conduct of Gen. Hurlbut--Col. Johnson in
command of a part of our divided brigade--Victory--Flight
of the enemy and failure to pursue 233
CHAPTER XVIII.
A survey of the field--Plundering the dead--Civilians and
relic-seekers--Congratulatory orders--Camp on a field of
graves 243
CHAPTER XIX.
Preparations to advance on Corinth--Morale of army and
sanitary condition--Advance to Shiloh Springs--Inspection by
General J----Advance to Pea Ridge--Gov. Yates--Picket
skirmishing--Battle of Russellville House--Arrival of Col.
Scott--A night on picket in face of the enemy--THE EVACUATION
AND OCCUPATION OF CORINTH 257
CHAPTER XX.
Resume of the movements of our regiment--Sherman's
movements towards Memphis--Camp on the Heights of
Hatchie--Camp on Spring Creek and Wolf River--Colonel
Williams again--Incidents of the march from LaGrange,
Tenn., to Holly Springs, Mississippi--Return--Resignation
of Lieut. Col. Scott--Arrival in Memphis--Gen. Sherman as
a military man--Marching orders 278
CHAPTER XXI.
Lieut. Col. Trumbull--Leave Memphis--Night on Wolf
River--House burning--Reach and bridge the Hatchie--Hardships
and murmurs--March toward Bolivar--Arrival at Bolivar--A
reconnoissance towards Grand Junction--Attempt of the enemy
to get in our rear--Return to Bolivar--Reinforcements 291
CHAPTER XXII.
A day's march toward Corinth--Arrival of Gen. Ord--Situation
and movements of the enemy--BATTLE OF MATAMORA--Carrying
the bridge of the Hatchie--Disastrous situation--Reserves
ordered into action--Hurlbut saves the day--Carrying
the Heights--Retreat of the enemy--Bivouac on the
field--Reconnoissance, details, etc.--Return to Bolivar--Fruits
of the victory--Losses 303
CHAPTER XXIII.
Col. Trumbull's official report--General Hurlbut's parting
review--His parting orders--How they were received--Congratulatory
orders of Gen. Grant--Telegram from the President 317
CHAPTER XXIV.
Reorganization and changes--Reconnoissance by General
Ross--Disposition of the Hatchie prisoners--The State election
in our regiment--Effects of the news of the northern
elections upon the troops--Wild reports of the enemy's
advance--Fortifying--Preparations for a general advance--Arrival
of Gen. Grant--Grand review--Arrival of new regiments--General
marching orders--First day's march--Condition of the
troops--Our camp at LaGrange--Position of the enemy--Arrival
of Col. Williams--Resignation of Lieut. Col. Trumbull--The
Somerville march--Reviews and marching orders 329
CHAPTER XXV.
The army in motion to the South--Character and scenes of
the first days march--Bivouac at Holly Springs--An earthquake--The
cavalry division and the enemy's rear guard--Cannonading--Camp
Lumkin's Mills--A storm--Movement of Sherman, retreat of the
enemy and advance of troops--Our division left behind--We
advance--Rebel works on the Tallahatchie--Scenes and scenery
of the march--Oxford--Join the army at Yockona Creek--The
Thirty-third Wisconsin--The situation and movements--Raid
of Van Dorn--Movements to open the communications 345
CHAPTER XXVI.
Retreat of the army--Commendable spirit of the troops--March
to the Tallahatchie--Ridiculous rumors--Christmas--We
We go into camp--Return of Dickey's raid--Our condition as
to supplies--The New Year--March to Holly Springs--We go
into camp--March of Denver's division--Our situation--Burning
of Holly Springs--March again to the north--Bivouac
at Cold Water--Reviewing and speculating over the
campaign--Arrival at Moscow 358
CHAPTER XXVII.
Reorganization of Grant's army--How our division was
posted--Descent of guerrillas upon our forage train--We
march to Memphis and go into camp--A glance at the officers
of our regiment--Gen. Lauman's regimental drills--Review of
the Fourth division--Col. Bryant's movement against Chalmers--Our
division ordered to Vicksburg--Parting with my
comrades--Their journey down the river and affair with the
guerrillas near Greenville--Arrival at Young's Point--Their
view of Porter and Steele engaging the enemy--Proceed up
the Yazoo and occupy Haines' Bluff--The captures--Blowing
up the magazines--The 22d of May--They move to take position
in the investing lines--Their position and operations south
of the city--Their subsequent position and operations 373
CHAPTER XXVIII.
SURRENDER OF VICKSBURG--Our division moves with Sherman
against Johnson--March to Jackson--The place besieged--DISASTROUS
CHARGE OF COLONEL PUGH'S BRIGADE--The blame imputed to Gen.
Lauman--He is relieved of command--His parting orders--The
feeling in regard to him--Our losses--Subsequent movements
of the Third Iowa--CONCLUSION 386
RECOLLECTIONS.
CHAPTER I.
THE "UPRISING" IN IOWA--PATRIOTISM OF THE PEOPLE--THE
THIRD REGIMENT, ITS CHARACTER AND COMPOSITION--SPIRIT
AND IDEAS OF ITS MEMBERS--OUR COLONEL--OUR VISIT TO
CAMP ELLSWORTH, AND THE FIRST IOWA--THE SECOND AND
FIRST IOWA ADVANCE INTO MISSOURI--OUR QUARTERS--OUR
IDEAS OF OUR TREATMENT--POOR FARE, AND WHAT SOME OF US
"DID ABOUT IT"--OUR DUTIES--COMPLAINTS ABOUT PAY--OUR
ARMS--WE GO INTO CAMP--OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE--WE CHAFE
EXCEEDINGLY UNDER THE YOKE OF DISCIPLINE--MARCHING
ORDERS.
When at the commencement of the war the loyal States vied with
each other in offers of men and money to the Government, Iowa, in
proportion to her population and resources, was not behind any of
her sisters. The First Regiment of Infantry, the quota of the State
under the call for three months men, was promptly formed, and sent
to the designated rendezvous. But the people wanted to do more than
this. Companies were formed in all parts of the State. Thousands of
names were enrolled. It was not the question who should be permitted
to stay at home, but who should have the privilege of going. The
eagerness with which the claims to acceptance of so many different
companies were pressed upon the Governor, must have been a source of
great embarrassment to him.
The interval between the first and second call for troops was to
many who had tendered their services, unsuccessfully, a period
of unpleasant and unprofitable suspense; for it was a matter of
uncertainty to all, whether the services of any more troops would be
required. And who could tell? The rebellion was so entirely without
a precedent in our history, that the most far-seeing could not say
whether it was a short-lived insurrection that could be frightened
to death by military preparation, or a movement strong in its
organization and formidable in its proportions.
But this period was, nevertheless, one of preparation. Men were
settling their affairs, and preparing for the contingency which
might call them from their homes. At length, a call was made for an
additional number of troops to serve for three years, unless sooner
discharged. This altered the plans of many who thought to enlist
merely for honor and a little adventure. The prospect was now that
they would have decidedly too much of both. Nevertheless, the supply
of men greatly exceeded the demand. None who had enlisted with worthy
motives were disposed to shrink from the prospect.
Under this call the Second Regiment was organized; and the
unsuccessful candidates still waited in hope and doubt. Finally, in
the last days of May, the companies which were to compose the Third
Regiment received orders, to their great joy, to repair to the
designated rendezvous, and by the close of the first week in June,
they were assembled in Keokuk.
Though comrades now, its members were, for the most part, strangers
to each other. It belonged to no section, but rather to the State at
large. The northern, central and southern portions were represented.
In point of material it was a mixture of such elements as a border
State would be likely to furnish. There were among us men of almost
every State in the Union, and of almost every civilized country.
Nearly all, however, were Western men either by birth or long
residence, and were (is it boasting to say it?) tempered with that
hardy, resolute spirit which is characteristic of Western men,
especially of those who dwell on the frontier. The greater portion
were from the rural districts, and trained to active, out-door
pursuits. Those who were from the towns were for the most part
river men. If there were among us any of "the drooping city's pale
abortions," they soon learned to imitate the rough virtues of their
comrades.
In point of ideas, there was as great a difference as of birth or
nationality. It is claiming nothing to say that money had not entered
into the calculations of those who first tendered their services to
their country. The one great thought was the preservation of the
Union. But such was the constitution of our ideas, that we saw in
the accomplishment of this object ulterior results widely different.
Each loved the Union for what it was to him. To the Irishman, it was
an asylum where he could enjoy that civil liberty, and exemption
from the oppression of an established church, which had been denied
him at home. He proposed to fight now for the preservation of that
liberty. He saw in the destruction of the Union an invitation to the
ambitious monarchs of Europe to fetter us with such chains as bound
his own unhappy country. This was why he had enlisted.
To the Englishman in our ranks, America was now his country. It was
to be the dwelling-place of his children. It promised more than any
other to promote the peace and happiness of its people, and the
progress of civilization. It was a branch of that great Saxon tree,
which, continually spreading, already overshadowed the earth. Should
it fall into the whirlpool of Gallic anarchy? Should it degenerate
into a contemptible Mexican civilization? God forbid. He was ready to
defend it with his blood.
We had among us the poetical, Heaven-ascending German. He proposed
to fight for an ideal. That ideal was liberty. It was to him the
symbol of progress, the talisman which was to lift man from earth to
Heaven. He saw in the rebellion a reactionary movement, a tendency
from democracy to aristocracy--from the power of the people to the
one man power; a repudiation of the doctrine on which the Republic
was founded;--nay, more, an attempt to found a Government on a maxim
of absolute injustice, the assumption that one man has the right to
own another. Could such a movement succeed? Was progress baffled? Had
the age begun to retreat? He proposed to fight, not for the unity of
the nation alone, not alone because it was now his country, but for
that principle of liberty which he saw, more fully than anywhere
else embodied in her institutions,--that democratic principle which
is destined one day to be the foundation of all human government.
But the great majority were native Americans, coming, immediately
or remotely, from every section of the Union, with various ties and
various ideas. They combined all these motives and ideas, and more.
To vindicate the national honor; to avenge the insults done the
flag; to overthrow all traitors and bring them to swift punishment;
to save the nation from disintegration and ruin;--this was why they
proposed to fight. Their country was too dear an inheritance to be
easily given up. Had the Fathers fought in vain? Had Washington,
Madison and Jefferson lived to organize anarchy and confound the
world? Had it taken the wisdom and blood of a generation to found
and build a temple which treason could tear down in an hour? Was the
reason of the ages to be contradicted? Was justice to be overthrown?
Was Progress to stop here? Must the Lamp of Liberty which had been
lighted to guide the footsteps of the nations go out in the gloom
which was gathering around us? Such were the questions we asked
ourselves. As far as we could do, our deeds have answered them.
Thus of whatever section, of whatever country, with whatever ideas,
we had now joined hands and were comrades,--all moving toward one
grand, patriotic holy object, the preservation of our country and of
liberty.
And now looking around us, we saw everywhere matter for
encouragement. Every omen seemed propitious. Every circumstance
argued success. The North was united. There was no party now. At
worst, we could but suppose the South likewise united against us.
In that case we were twenty millions; they eight millions. We had a
navy; they had none. We could blockade their ports, and cut off their
supplies from foreign nations. We possessed manufactures, and means
of keeping up our material. In this respect they were almost entirely
deficient. We possessed a variety of resources which rendered our
government self-sustaining in the most adverse events. They depended
solely upon cotton, which now they would not be able to sell. And
then their servile population, we supposed, instead of being a help,
would be a great embarrassment. Besides, were we not engaged in a
just cause? and would not, then, this great disparity in our favor
enable us speedily to overcome them? With such strength, fortified
in right, it seemed impossible that a single reverse could come upon
us. Our enthusiasm, as yet untempered by disappointment or disaster,
was unbounded. The future seemed full of glorious events, and we
longed to be hurried into it. We had but one desire--to be uniformed,
equipped and led on.
For a leader we wanted a man, who, while possessing some knowledge
of military affairs, should have none of the exclusive spirit we
understood to exist among the officers of the regular army. To
suit our tastes, he must be at once commander and comrade. Such a
colonel we were prepared to respect--to idolize. Who was he to
be? It was understood that Captain Herron and Congressman Vandever
were candidates. We disliked the Captain, because he had been to a
military school, and the Congressman, because he had never been to
one; it was evident, we would be hard to suit. But it soon became
apparent that, want whom we would, our wishes would not govern the
appointment. Governor Kirkwood desired to consult only the wishes of
the officers in the matter. There was a man, Nelson G. Williams, of
Delaware county, whose claims to the colonelcy of one of the first
regiments his friends, through the press and otherwise, had urged
with great pertinacity. It was said that he was a military man, and
yet a private citizen, and not a politician. Many had spoken in favor
of him; no one against him. He was the man. It was determined to call
this Cincinnatus from his obscurity. In a caucus of the commissioned
officers he received nineteen votes, and, on the strength of this
nomination, was appointed.
We were mustered into the service of the United States by Lieut.
Alexander Chambers, of the regular army, since colonel of the 16th
Iowa. Before this ceremony took place, the Articles of War were read
to us, and from them we inferred that it was no easy matter to be a
good soldier, and not at all safe to be a poor one. Those who did not
wish to be sworn in after hearing them read, were allowed to decline.
A few did so; and the farewell salutations these "deserters," as we
chose to call them, received from their late comrades were not at all
calculated to make them feel joyful or proud. As our field officers
were not yet announced, Captain Herron, as senior officer, assumed
command of the regiment. He was in every respect a gentleman; but his
discipline, though wholesome and correct, was such as our democratic
ideas enabled us poorly to appreciate.
On the 10th of June, we, for the first time, saw ourselves as
a regiment. The regiment was formed in the proper order of the
companies, and marched in column of sections, through the principal
streets of the city. We had no arms; and every company had its own
style of uniform. Nevertheless, as we marched along, we caught, from
the admiring glances of the citizens, an idea of our importance, and
that such a sight as we presented was not to be seen every day, and
that we were destined to play no unimportant part in the war for the
Union.
On the 11th of June the people of Keokuk celebrated the obsequies
of Senator Douglas. Of course the "military" had to take part in
it. The three regiments were assembled, and following each other in
their appropriate order, marched in column of platoons, to slow time,
through the principal streets, and then through clouds of dust, and
under a melting sun, away up the Mississippi to a point somewhere
between Keokuk and Fort Madison. Here for the first time we got sight
of a hearse, magnificently trimmed in black, into which a number of
verdants were seen to peek, doubtless in expectation of getting a
sight of Douglas. We were allowed to break ranks which was a great
relief to us, as we expected to be compelled to stand in our places
and undergo the infliction of an oration. The whole being over, the
battalions were again formed and marched back to their quarters to
quick time. The citizens, who rode in carriages, or walked on the
green sward, pronounced this military display a grand affair; but the
soldiers who had been compelled to keep the dusty road, going and
coming, pronounced it an intolerable bore. Some went so far as to
express the profane wish that the great senator had never been born.
At this time, the First Iowa was in camp near the city. The name of
their camp was Ellsworth. Their mode of life was a great novelty to
us, and the fact that such was soon to be ours, gave it an additional
interest. Those sentinels, marching to and fro, so stern, so mute,
lent to their little city an inhospitable air, which we were not at
all pleased to see. All within ten feet of their beat was forbidden
ground. Why could we not trespass upon it? At least we thought there
could be no harm in allowing their own men to pass out and in when
they pleased. The sentinel could not explain this. He wanted to see
the boys have all the privileges they wished, but he must obey his
orders. Then, with a shake of the head, he would hint that it was
contrary to orders for a sentinel to talk on his beat, and pass on.
What did all this signify? Their officers were "putting on style," we
said, and the men were learning to be soldiers pretty easily. Well,
we could not blame the boys. It was their duty to obey their orders,
at all events.
Then there was the gate where stood Sentinel No. 1. Through this,
all who went in or out were compelled to pass. And there stood the
officer of the guard. How magnificently attired! If men's merits were
to be judged by their appearance, we would have supposed him a hero
of twenty battles. That Zouave cap, with the gold lace and bugle on
it; that scarlet sash; those monstrous epaulettes;--how they dazzled!
And then the neat fitting coat and pants. And what a full chest he
had! "He must be a long-winded fellow," said we. And that we thought
would help him if he should have any running to do, which was among
the possibilities of war. And couldn't he swim though. Well, if such
a bellows would not float a man, what would? A regiment of such
fellows would float a bridge across the Mississippi. Perhaps the coat
had something to do with it--who knew?
But we forgot to salute him. What daggers he looked at us! We
asked him to let us pass in. "Where do you belong?" "To the Third
Regiment." "What do you want here?" "To see some friends." "Sentinel,
pass them in, Sir!"
It was indeed a novelty to most of us. The men and officers lived
in square, white tents, slept on hay, and cooked their rations on
fires built in holes dug in the ground. Most of the men were very
communicative. A few would hold up their heads as if to say, "We
have seen service; you are greenies." Of course some of us must have
appeared very verdant to them. We plied all manner of questions,
in reply to which they told us prodigious stories of what they had
already seen, and suffered, for their country's sake. If we were to
believe them, they were suffering greatly now. They had been in the
service a month and a half, and the Government had furnished them no
clothing and not a cent of pay! Besides, they were half-starved, and
the rations provided them were not fit for a dog! And their officers
treated them shamefully, too. We began to think so; for yonder was a
captain drilling his men. They obeyed promptly; and, yet, at every
command, he called them "devils-of-hell."
Their officers all dressed wondrous fine. If all officers wore such
epaulettes, such bugles and such lace, we did not wonder that there
was an advance in American gold. And when we saw that they were all
exceedingly full-chested, like the stern lieutenant at the gate, we
concluded that the coat did have something to do with it.
And when we went away, it was under the impression that those
soldiers would fight, and that they could tell a few things which we
did not know. We concluded, too, that their officers put on a good
deal of style; and indeed, we said, ours were beginning to pattern
after them. A soldier did not have many rights that a white man was
bound to respect, any way. We were very willing, very patriotic then,
but we had not learned to be contented with what we could neither
prevent nor improve.
About two o'clock on the morning of June 12th, we heard a great
tumult in the streets. It was the Second Regiment preparing to
leave. They had received orders to advance into Missouri and take
possession of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad which the rebels
were attempting to destroy. All seemed to be greatly elated at the
prospect before them. But amid the hurry of preparation, there was no
time to talk.
The following afternoon the First Regiment left for the same
destination. Their boys, like those of the Second, were jubilant in
spirit. They went about the boat which was to take them away, singing
a parody on "Dixie;" and the boat moved out amid enthusiastic cheers
of a large throng of citizens. It would be our turn to leave next. We
hoped it would be soon.
And now the Third Iowa were the only military occupants of Keokuk.
Our quarters were in commodious and comfortable buildings. We were
provided with blankets, warm enough, but of a very inferior quality,
and plenty of clean hay to sleep on. For subsistence, we were turned
over to the tender mercies of contractors whom Government paid for
boarding men at the rate of two dollars and ten cents per week. It
may be surmised that it was the chief ambition of some of these men
to board us as cheaply as possible. At least we thought so.
We began to see a great and unpleasant difference between the state
of things now and a month ago. Then the time passed like a holiday.
We were preparing to leave for the war, and the people seemed to
think they could not do too much to encourage and assist us. They
idolized us as patriots, almost as heroes. We had hazarded all we
possessed, they said, for our country's sake. We hence belonged to
them. The stripling of seventeen by enlisting gave himself to the
public. Everybody talked of him; admired, encouraged, praised. He
was a noble lad; he had the brave heart of a man. More likely than
not, half a dozen fair misses were ready to quarrel with each other
on his account. Indeed, the ladies seemed to be unanimous in the
opinion that "none but the brave deserve the fair." A young man who
had not joined some company, without he had a very plain excuse,
was nowhere among them. The soldier was "all in all;" the proud
recipient of every favor, whether of money, advice, flattery, smiles
or sighs. It would be surprising if these attentions did not lead us
to form a very exalted opinion of our deserts. So it was. The people
had humored us until when they handed us over to the Government, we
were like spoiled children. We wanted to be humored still. At least,
we looked upon ourselves as gentlemen, and thought the contractors
should treat us as such. This they certainly did not do. It was bad
enough, we thought, to compel us to eat on greasy tin plates and to
drink our coffee out of cups of the same material; but to serve hair
and brick-dust up to us in our soup, seemed decidedly out of place.
At first we contented ourselves with dropping hints to the waiters
that a reform in this matter would be agreeable; but seeing our hints
unheeded we threw out admonitions, which were likewise a waste of
words. Finally, two companies, D and F, indicated their displeasure,
at their boarding houses, by turning up the tables, and pelting the
waiters with beef bones. It seemed to some of our young ideas a
glorious manifestation of the old Saxon spirit of liberty. At least,
its results were salutary. In both cases it secured us a _magna
charta_ in the shape of a new boarding place with earthen dishes and
palatable food.
It is doubtless true that under the impression that we were suffering
useless hardships, our complaints were at times very unreasonable.
Young soldiers, like young children, sometimes act very foolishly.
And as a person in manhood generally sees the folly of his early
days, so we subsequently had many a hearty laugh at these complaints
about what we had learned to consider luxuries, especially during the
fasts of Kirksville and the Tallahatchie.
Our duties at this time differed in some respects from those of later
days. Of course we had to retire and rise at the tap of the drum; but
we had less fatigue and guard duty and more drill. We were required
to drill six hours a day, a very irksome duty, as some had sore feet,
and the weather was quite warm.
It is now a matter of ludicrous astonishment to us that before we
had been in the United States service a week, we began to grumble
about our pay. The State owed us for the three weeks we had passed
in its service. Why did it not pay us? It was not such treatment as
we had expected to receive; but now they had got us in their power,
they would do with us as they pleased. But why did we not think of
that before? And who did we mean by that indefinite _they_? It is a
monster that has inflicted upon us untold wrongs, but could any one
give his locality?
At length, on the 24th of June, we received pay for the time we had
spent in the State service. It was a small sum, less than seven
dollars to each man; but many of us had been out of money for some
time, and it may be imagined it was highly appreciated. Indeed,
before night, some of us grew quite rich over it.
The same day we received our arms. Instead of the Springfield
or Enfield rifle of which we had had so many dreams, we were
disappointed in finding them a plain, bright musket, marked,
"Springfield, 1848." But we did not know as much about these muskets
then as we do now. There are some graves on a cotton field near
Pittsburg Landing that have a tale to tell about them to any ordnance
officer that will pass that way.
The following day we went into camp on the site of the late Camp
Ellsworth. We received commodious quarters in the shape of fourteen
wall tents to the company. The business of getting into camp consumed
the entire day. We were beginners then. A strong line of sentinels
was established around us. We did not like it. No, nor have we ever
learned to like to be thus imprisoned.
The name of our camp was Kirkwood. It was a beautiful situation. The
ground was a gently rolling greensward, over which were scattered
trees in pleasant variety, and, near by, swept between his bold banks
the majestic "Father of Waters."
It may be presumed that for the first few days of our camp
experience, we got along poorly. But we could adapt ourselves more
readily to our new mode of life than the members of some regiments
in the field; for we had among us many whose frontier life had
taught them the mysteries of "camping out." Of course we cooked our
food badly. But the ladies who daily visited our camp gave us many
important hints on this subject. As yet we had no surgeon; and our
officers, either from want of knowledge, or not appreciating the
importance of the matter, paid very little attention to it. It was a
long time before we learned to cook our food so as not seriously to
impair health.
At this time a circumstance occurred which showed that our "Saxon
spirit of Liberty" was not unconquerable. The quartermaster had
furnished us no cups, plates, knives, forks nor spoons. We were told
that we would have to buy them with our own money. This we were
determined not to do. We declared that the Government should furnish
them. The quartermaster we believed was swindling us, and putting
the money in his own pocket. We said all manner of hard things about
him and about our officers generally. Well, after we had been two
or three days in camp, it was noticed that most of us were provided
with the articles in question. Where or how did we get them? The
quartermaster did not furnish them, nor did any one give them to us;
we must have bought them. Thus military discipline and hunger are
great eagle-tamers.
But the Third Iowa was not allowed that period of discipline and
drill with which some regiments are favored before going into active
service. Almost from the very outset, we were destined to receive
our training in the face of the enemy. On the 28th of June it was
rumored that we were to advance into Missouri. That evening crowds
of citizens visited our camp and paid us great respect and many
kindnesses. Instead of a dress parade, as usual, we underwent the
display of a review before Colonel Curtis of the Second Regiment,
who commanded the "North Missouri Expedition." Before tattoo it was
definitely announced that we would leave the following morning, and
orders were issued for reveille at three o'clock.