NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
July/August 1861
From The Missouri Democrat, Saturday, August 17, 1861.
Camp Correspondence.
FROM IRONTON.
From Gen. Grant’s Headquarters.
[The following letter has been delayed on its arrival, but in view of the interesting news from the Southeast, contains items of importance.―EDS. DEM.]
[Special Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat.]
IRONTON, Aug. 12, 1861.
Located at the terminus of the Iron Mountain Railroad, in a small valley which extends along between hills, whose peaks tower to the hight [sic] of 400 or 600 feet on either side, and which are so rough and rocky that they are almost impassible even by the pedestrian; with but few roads passing out from our lines on either side, these strongly guarded by heavy pickets, and many of them commanded by heavy pieces of artillery; our position is one which can be held against a vastly superior force, and is one of special interest at this time, being seriously menaced, as is evident from the
ARREST OF A SPY.
Mr. Russell, resident of near Greenville, was arrested in camp Saturday, on suspicion of being a spy. A pass from General Hardee was found upon his person, which, however, he succeeded in tearing to pieces, then avowing that he came to give information of the rebels, instead of obtaining information for them. He speaks freely of the rebels’ contemplated movements, strength, position, preparations, arms, &c., stating that he has been with them every day for weeks, and that his information was from General Hardee and his principal officers direct. He gives the rebels’ programme thus: Jeff. Thompson and Pillow are to engage Cape Girardeau and Bird’s Point; Hardee is to move upon Ironton, Thompson drawing off from Cape Girardeau, and forming a conjunction with Hardee here, and thus make their forces sufficiently strong to take this place without fail, and take possession of the Iron Mountain Railroad, trusting to McCulloch to whip Lyon and take possession of the Pacific Railroad, when the divisions each are to make a pleasure trip to St. Louis, extending their arms to all who come to meet or welcome them. They would doubtless be welcome visitors to many of our citizens, your brother quill of the Republican, for example, but unfortunately for them, we fear it will be a long time before they will have the pleasure of seeing them.
STRENGTH OF GEN. GRANT’S DIVISION.
With the advantage of position we occupy, although the number of troops here is not vast, I doubt not that perfect security is felt by the General and all the commanding officers. The present force here does not vary much from three thousand, to wit: Col. Bland’s Sixth Missouri, Col. Hecker’s Twenty-fourth Illinois and Col. Alexander’s Twenty-first Illinois, full regiments, three companies of the Ninth Missouri, and near three companies of Home Guards. Reinforcements are daily expected of Col. Turner’s and Col. Smith’s (independent) infantry regiments, and Col. Marshall’s cavalry regiment.
The strength of field pieces is, of Col. Bland’s command, two 18 pound howitzers and several pieces of artillery; of Col. Hecker’s command, three 24 pound cannons placed on the heights commanding the Greenville and Fredericktown roads. One 6 pound field piece commands the Centreville road, and I am informed there are several pieces at Pilot Knob, though of number and capacity I am not aware; besides, there are the four heavy 32 pounders of those lately received by Gen. Fremont, which were brought down on Friday’s train, and two more of the same kind Saturday. Basket batteries are being erected as fast as possible, by a detachment from Col. Hecker’s regiment, on the Greenville road, and everything goes busily and actively forward in the work of preparation and perfection of discipline; thus rendering truly efficient one of the divisions of Gen. Fremont’s grand army of the West. Heavy pickets are now thrown out on every road leading into either Pilot Knob, Ironton, and Arcadia; the newly received cannon are fast being placed and prepared for their destructive work; the strictest discipline has of late been enforced; the most gentlemanly bearing of both officers and soldiers is required by both the General and other commanding officers―all of which evinces plainly that we are soon to have a most efficiently disciplined division under the command of Brig. Gen. Grant, whose experience and energy are a sufficient guarantee to all who know him that the only watchword to be entertained will be “success,” and the only motto “victory or death.”
PROMOTIONS AGAIN.
Gen. Grant, lately a captain in the U. S. A., and mustering officer for the State of Illinois, was by Gov. Yates promoted to the rank of Colonel, and assigned the command of the Twenty-first Illinois regiment, previously the Seventh Congressional District regiment, in place of Col. S. S. Goode, deposed. The vacancy caused by this latter promotion is temporarily filled by Lieut. Col. Alexander, who will doubtless, by the wish of the officers and men of the entire regiment and of the brigade―as far as he is known―retain the command.
Promotions having commenced in regular order of rank, Maj. W. K. McMakin necessarily, right fully and probably with the entire approbation of all who know him, succeeds to the Lieutenant Colonelcy. Who shall fill the Majorship is now the query.
Capt. J. W. Clark, of the Pratt county company, holds rank No. 1 among the captains, and Capt. G. W. Peck, of Crawford county, No. 2. To Capt. Clark’s succeeding to this desirable position we have not the slightest objection, and that Capt. Peck is an able, amiable and efficient commander, we have personal knowledge, and believe he would fill the Majorship with credit to himself and pride to the regiment.
Referring to rank, I annex a copy of the order from Gen. Pope, ranking the captains and lieutenants of the Twenty-first Regiment, until the decision of the Governor of the State of Illinois should be obtained:
CAPTAINS.
|
1.
|
J. W. Clark,
|
6.
|
― Stevenson,
|
|
2.
|
G. W. Peck,
|
7.
|
Ed. Harlan,
|
|
3.
|
J. E. Calloway,
|
8.
|
B. F. Woody,
|
|
4.
|
Jno. Love,
|
9.
|
Joseph Maher,
|
|
5.
|
A. M. Peterson,
|
10.
|
G. A. Denning.
|
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
|
1.
|
Ch. H. Fuller,
|
7.
|
G. A. Armstrong,
|
|
2.
|
J. E. Jones,
|
8.
|
S. W. Keen,
|
|
3.
|
R. D. Exsly,
|
9.
|
P. Weshimer,
|
|
4.
|
J. W. Vance,
|
10.
|
H. H. Jamison,
|
|
5.
|
B. F. Reed,
|
11.
|
G. F. Eaton,
|
|
6.
|
C. B. Lagon,
|
12.
|
Chas. Steele.
|
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
|
1.
|
J. L. Wilson,
|
6.
|
W. B. Hoag,
|
|
2.
|
C. K. Knight,
|
7.
|
A. J. Austin,
|
|
3.
|
J. L. Bowman,
|
8.
|
A. W. Longer,
|
|
4.
|
J. F. Kirkman,
|
9.
|
J. A. Tremm,
|
|
5.
|
D. L. Blackburn,
|
10.
|
C. I. Smiedil.
|
LATER.
A gentleman here, by the name of Stephenson, informs me that he was driven from his flouring mill, known as the Otterville Steam Mills, between the St. Francis and Black rivers, some ten days since, by Colonel Kitchen with 250 horsemen, that he escaped to save his life, and that the rebels now have possession of the mill, and are daily manufacturing large quantities of flour, and sending it below for the subsistence of their troops.
OUR CAMP.
There is no such thing as monotony and inactivity here. Scouting parties are sent out short distances in every direction, continually, and with the heavy guard required, the placing and preparing of cannon, arrangement of camps, &c., make all bustle and life.
ORION.
From the Sixth Regiment Missouri Volunteers.
CAMP FREMONT, NEAR IRONTON, MO.,
SIXTH REG’T MISSOURI VOL.,
August 15,1861.
Editors of the Missouri Democrat:
Yesterday’s mail brought us the sad intelligence of the death of Gen. Lyon, who fell at the head of his command near Springfield. The death of this gallant officer cast a gloom over our camp.
On Wednesday morning General Grant gave orders to have our provisions loaded on the wagons immediately, as intelligence had been received that the rebels were marching on us, and within twelve miles of us. Every preparation was made for their reception, the wagons placed in order and the men all ready, waiting for the command, but much to our disappointment they did not come. The boys of the Sixth are as brave a set of fellows as ever lived. The only deficiency of this regiment is the incompetency of a few of the officers and the nakedness of the soldiers, which is owing to the neglect of the government, otherwise the Sixth would be the excelsior regiment of Missouri.
Since General Grant has command of this post things are working vigorously. The large guns sent us by Gen. Fremont a few days ago are placed and ready for action. Truly, General Grant is the man for this country.
Considerable dissatisfaction is existing at present among the soldiers. About ten days ago the paymaster was here and paid the boys one month’s wages―ten dollars. It appears the understanding was that the Sutler was not to receive any of that month’s wages. A number of them received their full amount and the remaining number were denied their just dues by some of their captains, in whose hands the money was left for distribution, unless they paid the Sutler five dollars of this paltry sum. It is not definitely known whether the captains are acting according to orders, or whether pecuniary interest is the cause of their retaining the paltry sum of the poor private, who has scarcely sufficient clothes to cover his nakedness. The Sutler has charged extravagant prices for his goods, and the boys, being penniless, were obliged to purchase things from him which necessity compelled them to. Unless these captains pay their men the money due them. Gen. Fremont will be advised of this underhand work. Yours, &c.
FRAZER.
