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Loren Webb, War Correspondent
Letter from Camp Yates.
Springfield, April 26th, ’60 (sic –
actually 1861 – misprint in original)
To the Editor of the Belleville
Advocate.
I was requested by many friends, before
leaving old St. Clair, to keep them posted in regard to our movements, etc.,
and in order to do so, I will make a short statement through your paper, if you
will allow me.
We all arrived safely at Springfield,
on Tuesday, and immediately marched out to Camp Yates, where we learned we4 had
to reduce our company to sixty-four, in consequence of which many of the boys
went out, but they came together shortly after, formed another company and
elected Mr. C. Van Cleve Captain, and your humble servant First
Lieutenant. We are in the same regiment
with the other St. Clair companies and are now awaiting marching orders. Your old friend and fellow-townsman, Mr. A.
J. Cox, has been elected Major of the Regiment.
To the parents and friends of the boys
from Mascoutah, I will state that they are all well and in good spirits. They seem to enjoy camp life very much. The almost continual waving of handkerchiefs
by the ladies and hats by the gentlemen, as we passed along the railroad to the
place, and the very welcome reception here, have altogether seemed to inspire
them with such courage that they are lifted above the true realization of the
hardships of camp life.
On Sunday we had a fine sermon here at
camp and from the responses, I judge that many of the officers and privates are
of a religious turn of mind.
There is no more room for doubting
about the matter: the Stars and Stripes will be upheld. If the country over is responding like our
State, all the minions of despotism cannot prevail against our rights.
There are several thousand troops in
camp. 2,000 have already gone out, but
their places are almost immediately filled by new arrivals.
I will close this letter, knowing that
you have several more competent correspondents here who can do the subject more
credit than I can. I will, however, at
some future time, write again.
- Loren Webb
---
Letter from Cairo
Camp Defiance. Cairo, Ill., May 13
Mr. Editor : You received a short
communication from me dated Camp Yates, April 29th, 1861 - or at least I
intended it for that day, but as I have not the manuscript, I am not able to
say who made the mistake in the date, you or myself : but it is very evident to
me that I was not at Camp Yates on the 29th of April, 1860, as is reported in
the paper. Mistakes are liable however
to young soldiers, so I will take it upon myself.
Since the time of my last writing, we
have removed from Springfield to this place. We received orders at 12 M. (sic), May 1st, and at half past 4 o'clock
P.M., were under way, 800 of us in number. As our removal was most of the way in the night, we were prevented of
getting a view of the country, but surrendering ourselves to the power of the
old iron horse, we reclined in our seats, and in dreams often disturbed by the
loud neighing of our smoking charger, we marched into the enemy's land; stormed
the works of despotism, hurled the king of treason from his throne, and wrested
from the hands of the traitors, America's own treasures. Then halting for a moment to join in
acclamations of joy over our victories, we saw that "glorious bird,"
type of American liberty, descended with lightning speed, and seized in her
talons the rattlesnakes of anarchy, bear it away to the regions of
oblivion. At length the sun arose, we
opened our eyes and found that we had not yet entered their land, but were fast
hurrying in that direction, and I candidly think that time and opportunity will
enable us to more than realize the fulfillment of our dreams.
At 11 o'clock, P.M., May 2d, we arrived
at the confluence of the two great rivers, the Ohio and the Mississippi, and
looked out for the first time upon the city of Cairo. When the cars stopped we paraded upon the sidewalk and marched to
camp, where we still remain. For three
days we were without shelter, sleeping on hay in the open air, though we procured
lumber and built some temporary barracks, that do very well in dry weather, but
a little too much ventilated for the rainy season that has existed here for the
last three days. With the exception of
some accidents, nothing has transpired. The accidents were one that one of the guards fell down, discharged his
gun, and the ball took effect upon a man who had been committed for
intoxication - one of the citizens; entering his left groin, it passed through
the wall of the house; he was removed to the hospital, and I understand that he
has since died, though I have not ascertained positively. The other was shot in the leg by a man who
discharged his piece at random. He will
be ready for duty in ten or twelve days.
On Saturday night last , about 10 o'clock,
the camp was aroused by the beating of the alarm drum, and firing of rockets,
and notwithstanding the rain and mud the men were upon the ground and formed
into line, within two minutes after the cry "to arms" was raised;
some bare-footed, some bare-headed, ready for the fight. Captain Van Cleve was out double quick time,
and when ready, dispatched messengers to head-quarters that we were ready for
action. His message to head-quarters
was not in these words however - I decline to give them; but can assure you
that it was laconic and to the point, and will doubtless be remembered by the
boys.
Some of the boys have been unwell, but
no serious sickness has yet been in camp; they are in good spirits and eager
for a fight, and complain some because we are not allowed to go down upon the
traitors at once. We received the news
of the St. Louis victory with shouts. Our commander says the time for conciliation has passed, and the time to
advance has come.
(text illegible). We are getting in good readiness for battle,
whether it comes or not; but it it does come and I should get through, I may be
heard from again.
L. Webb.
...from Belleville Weekly Advocate newspaper of Friday, 3 May
1861 and 17 May 1861, published at Belleville, Illinois, by Collins Van Cleve
and A. J. Cox, Editors (in abstentia). Held on Microfilm at the Belleville Public Library, Belleville,
Illinois. Transcribed by Jonathan Webb
Deiss, 29 September 2001.
---
Our Cairo Correspondence,
Camp Defiance,
Cairo, Illinois Aug. 19[1].
Mr.
Editor: - I take this opportunity to comply in part with my engagement to
report to you occasionally from this field of military operations. Although nothing of unusual importance has
occurred here for a few days; yet Camp Defiance is not void of interest; its
location makes it the most important military post in the west. It is far down along the side of the rebel
confederacy, and being situated at the confluence of the two great rivers – the
Ohio and Mississippi – it commands completely the blockade of the same.
A fort has been built within the last
three months, and is now well filled with heavy guns, that command the rivers
for several miles. Camp Lyon is
directly across the Mississippi from Fort Prentiss, and which is strongly
entrenched and fortified with several pieces of rifled cannon, and flying
artillery. Eight miles below one
regiment is encamped, and fifty miles above are three regiments which serve as
outposts to this position.- Gen. Fremont manifests his usual energy in
transporting troops to this place and vicinity; and it is whispered and
surmised among the soldiers, that before the lapse of many weeks, he will give
us the very desirable entertainment of routing some of the rebel camps in the
vicinity, perhaps General Pillow who has been camped with 20,000 rebels at New
Madrid, but a rumour of last night has it that he has removed down the river,
owing in part doubtless, to Kentucky’s late stand. Well, let the days swiftly pass, and the weeks go gladly by, and
we may the sooner behold what our eyes have so long desired to see – but in
vain. – Better late than never though.
A little thrill of pleasure was
realized late yesterday evening at the sight of some prisoners, three in
number, taken in the following manner : A Sergeant of the cavalry was detailed
to act as Orderly for the General yesterday, in company with two others he was
sent out to see what they could find. Riding through the country south west of here a few miles, they suddenly
routed three cavalry scouts of the rebel stripe; one Captain, one Sergeant and
one private. A horse race of about one
mile took place; but the Orderly’s horse was rather too fleet; he rode up on
them, ordered halt, which command was promptly executed. They laid down their arms and gave
themselves up as prisoners. Soon the
other two came up, and all were brought into camp. Three prisoners, three horses, one minie rifle, two shot guns,
three revolvers, one sabre; a pretty fair capture for one man to make armed
only with a revolver and sabre.[2]
We have a rumour that Gen Lyon has had
an engagement at Springfield, Mo.[3],
in which he was killed[4],
leaving Gen. Siegel in command, who, contending against 21,000, with only 8000,
routed the enemy. But you will hear the
correct report as soon as we will here. Rumours cannot always be credited.
Three gun boats arrived here from Cincinnatti (sic) last
evening, bearing from thirteen to eighteen guns each. Very useful kind of crafts in war time. You folks up the Mississippi need have no fears of an attack on
Birds Point, as the have had, and almost made me believe it while there. There is no danger; the rebels go upon the
proverb that “Distance lends enchantment to the view,” but we are of the opinion
that they will be required to about face and listen to the music if they can’t
dance, before long.
Everything is life here now, every officer determined his
corps shall excel in drill, the three months regiments are nearly ready again,
for the war. Every body interested in
drilling, establishing good discipline, and getting ready for a forward, or
rather a downward movement. As
circumstances permit, I will report from time to time.
Yours respectfully,
L. W.[5]
9th Reg., Ill. V. M[6].
Our
Cairo Correspondence.
Camp Defiance, Cairo
August 21, 1861
Mr. Editor : - Notwithstanding, Cairo
has been, and is now, considered the most important camp in the West, yet
nothing of special importance is now transpiring in this immediate
vicinity. We have been in a dormant state, and let the rebels frisk
about us pretty much as they pleased. The boys have been anxious, indeed clamorous, to get after them, but the
commandant would never let us go; consequently, the rebels have waxed strong
and saucy, and drawn their lines closer and closer, and grown bolder than ever,
until Sunday last, when the ventured about 700 strong into Commerce, a town 30
miles above here at a narrow place in the river, and drove the Union people
out, firing grape shot and ball at them as they were crossing the river in
skiffs. About noon, a boat that had
accompanied the expedition from here to Missouri last week, returned, bringing
several of the citizens of Commerce, who reported the condition of things at
that point.
A telegram was then sent to Gen.
Fremont, and upon receipt of the answer several gun-boats were got in
readiness, and on the following morning, as they were about to start with a
strong force, a steamer arrived, having passed Commerce unharmed, bringing the
intelligence that 800 of our troops had gone from Cape Girardeau to that place,
but as usual, when they got upon the ground no rebels were found. They had sacked the town, however, taking
every valuable that they could, and fled. It is doubtless their intention to get across the country and burn the
bridges on the railroad above here, it being about 15 miles from where they
landed, but were probably frightened from their purpose/. I think they will try it ere long, if not
more closely watched.
At night a telegram came from a member
of Fremont’s staff, stating that an effort was likely to be made to spike the
guns at the fort here and at Bird’s Point. As officer of the day, I was required to detail the relief guard during
the latter part of the night, and have them sleep in the fort. As we were talking over the probabilities of
an attack, Colonel Waggoner, commander of the artillery here, returned from
Bird’s Point, bringing the news of a brilliant victory achieved by our boys at
Charleston, twelve miles distant. The
affair occurred as follows :
Col. Dougherty learning that a camp of
rebels was in that vicinity, obtained the permission to visit them. Summoning 200 of the boys of the 22d and 50
of the 18th Illinois regiments, and 50 cavalry, he started about sundown, and
arrived there between nine and ten o’clock. He divided the forces, intending that the two divisions should form a
junction at the proper time, but owing to their ignorance of the country and
the position of the enemy, the plan was defeated. Col. Dougherty ran on to the line of the enemy’s pickets when
they hailed him with, “Who’s there?” “Troops,” was the reply. “Give
the countersign,” said the guard. “Illinois; is that it?” asked the Colonel, upon which the guard fired
and fled. The next line hailed and received
the same answer. The Colonel then
charged and drove the rebels in. The
other division under the Lieutenant Colonel, came in on the other side, and
after some sharp fighting the enemy retreated in confusion to a cornfield. The rebel force consisted of 700 infantry
and about 350 cavalry. Our boys killed
40, too 16 prisoners and 17 horses, and returned by two o’clock, having
suffered a loss of 1 killed, 1 missing, and 7 wounded. Maj. Ransom was shot in the shoulder by a
rebel who had surrendered, and as the Major went up to take him, he fired a
pistol, wounding the Major in the shoulder, but not dangerously. The next shot was the Major’s, and he made
it tell, for the rebel was not among the wounded or prisoners. Col. Dougherty was taking a prisoner in a
similar manner, when the rebel struck him a blow on the shoulder with his gun;
the Colonel returned the compliment, when the rebel got off his horse and
laid down. -- A drummer boy only 14
years old, was seen to level his pistol at a rebel riding by at full speed; he
fired and the rebel fell; he captured the horse and rode him into camp, a proud
boy, greatly applauded. The next day
about noon the cavalry came in, having got separated that night, and brought with
them 29 prisoners which they had picked up during the night. The prisoners were all here under a strong
guard, a sorry looking set. They state
that Pillow takes all the horses and men that he can find, and presses them
into the service. Ere long we will get
after them in earnest.
Yours respectfully,
L. W.
9th Reg., Ill.
V. M.
Our Army
Correspondence.
Camp Paine, Paducah, Kentucky
September 18,
1861
Mr. Editor : - Several days have
elapsed since I last reported to you, the reason being that those days have
been fraught with too much business and interest to afford me the necessary
time. – Since my last correspondence we have made a shift of our position. I believe it was on the 5th inst. That we
were ordered to prepare two days rations, and hold ourselves in readiness to
march. We naturally speculated somewhat
as to the direction we were to take : the majority of us concluded that we were
to go down to Hickman for the purpose of routing a battery that had been
established there. Our canteens and
haversacks were filled, blankets rolled up and strapped to our backs, guns all
in order, and everybody impatient for the word. At 9 P.M. we proceeded to the levee and went aboard of [the]
boat; after delaying some time we pushed from the shore, and to our
astonishment, headed up the Ohio. I
then asked the Major if he would inform me of our destination, the answer was
“Paducah.” Enquiring the object of the
expedition, I was told that 4,000 rebels were to occupy Paducah that night or
in the morning, with a view of blockading the river, running all produce
southward on the railroad and up the Tennessee river. We were curious to know if our regiment alone was to attack 4000
rebels; but soon our eyes were greeted with the sight of two other boats containing
the Illinois 12th. and a number one company of light artillery composed of four
pieces, and in our front and rear were gunboats. The whole fleet moved cautiously, owing to shallow water and the
heavy draft of the gunboats. On our
arrival Col. Paine (since Brig. Gen. Paine), went ashore below the city with
the right wing of our regiment, while the [rest] under the command of Maj.
Philips, landed at the foot of Broadway. The street was full of people, some pleased to see us, others with
chopfallen countenances, while scores of them, whose guilty consciences
doubtless pictured out,
“Two posts
erectant,
A beam
transcendant,
A rope
pendant
A rebel on
the end on’t.”
were
fleeing in the opposite direction, as the old Egyptian flees before the floods
of the Nile: that old quotation came to my mind. “Better run to your houses, fall upon your knees, pray the Gods
to cease their wrath, pardon your iniquities and turn aside the sword of
justice;” others perfectly frantic at the sight, were crying with joy : these
latter were those who, but the day before had read to them their orders to
leave the place in fort-eight hours. One instance came to my knowledge of a Union man who was ordered to
leave by 4 P.M. of that day, by a ranting rebel. When we landed he immediately went to the secesh’s residence and
found him making arrangements to take his departure. He accosted him with “You ordered me to leave here to-day, now
you leave forthwith or I’ll have you hung to the nearest tree,” and thereupon
he did leave, not even stopping to take care of his traps.
Disappointment is the doom of all : so
it was with us, for we found no army of rebels here, we therefore proceeded
through the place to the depot. Seized 350 bbls. Of flour, a large quantity of
bacon, coffee and other articles to the amount of several thousand
dollars. Five companies of us went out
six miles and burned a railroad bridge to prevent their approach in that
direction. For two days and nights the
people were continually leaving the place, until one half the houses were
vacated. We made search for guns and
munitions of war through the city; found a few guns, and 14 kegs of powder; We
have thrown up some earthworks here, and have lately been reinforced by several
thousand men, and numerous batteries of cannon. Rumors of our being attacked here are frequent. Yesterday we were put in readiness for
battle; the people left the city and fled to Illinois, and at 12 P.M. we formed
in line and waited the approach of the expected foe, but no enemy appeared. At Mayfield twenty-five miles distant, a
rebel force is collecting and their actions indicate an intention of coming
here. They feel the loss of this point
very keenly as it was a great depot, where they gathered together and shipped
large quantities of stores south. The
opinion prevails that the authorities design assembling a strong force here, to
act in concert with the forces at Cairo and Louisville in a general southward
movement.
We have a rumor that our forces had an
engagement at, and have taken Columbus, but it can hardly be credited. Our gunboats engaged several batteries at
that place the other day and silenced them without loss on our side.
I send you a copy of a paper published
by our regiment at the office of the Paducah Herald, it having become
too timid to make its appearance. The Picket
Guard is edited by a Captain of our regiment and a Lieutenant of the
Chicago artillery. A rumor is now
current that the forces from Mayfield 20,000 strong are within fifteen miles of
here. If they should come and we have a
fight you may expect to hear all about it.
L. W.
Our Army Correspondence.
Camp Paine, Paducah, Ky.,
October 24, 1861.
Mr. Editor : When I last wrote I
confidently expected that ere we should have a battle here, or be ordered
forward to strike a blow at the rebels in their dens if they should fail to
come and visit us; but the calm that has rested upon all departments of the
army, is resting upon us. It seems like
a day when the clouds hang heavy, occasionally sending forth a few drops of
rain, keeping one anxiously watching them as they slowly pass; but the
impending storm, that every hour becomes threatening, comes not. We have not been idle here, though we have
done no fighting. We have performed a
vast amount of labor, having thrown up several fortifications to guard the
entrance to the city, and constructed a floating battery of formidable proportions.
We begin to experience in some degree
the annoyance which is apt to prove troublesome to advance guards; that is,
occasional attacks on our pickets. Last
week a party of rebels very stealthily attacked six men of the regular cavalry
performing picket duty two miles and a half in advance of the camp. The rebels, about forty in number, fired on
them, sounding two, taking two prisoners, and capturing all their horse and
equipment. They fired indiscriminately, and moved without order, killing two
and wounding several of their own number. They cut the ropes which held the horses, and suddenly decamped. Our Provost Marshall investigated the
matter, and ascertained that they were a party of rebel citizens of the
surrounding country, collected for that purpose. He has succeeded in arresting seven of them.
The artillerymen here have manufactured
a queer kind of shot, by filling tin cans with railroad spikes; they will prove
terribly destructive.
L. W.
October 27, 1861
Mr. Editor : The past three days have
been somewhat eventful for us. Three
hundred of our regiment were ordered to move on Friday last with two days’
rations, and under command of Maj. Philips of the 9th Illinois, they
went up the Cumberland river about fifty miles, landed and made a forced march
of fourteen miles, where they partially surprised a camp of rebels 160 in
number, 80 of whom were cavalry. They
were at breakfast when our men attacked their pickets. – They formed in line as
soon as possible upon the signal of their pickets. Our boys entered a lane some four hundred yards in length, at the
other end of which the rebels were waiting to receive them. Notwithstanding our extreme fatigue, we
charged up the lane at double quick in face of a shower of minnie balls, to within
good range for our old rusty muskets. We halted, delivered our fire, and then charged on them. The rebels then fired a few shots and fled
in confusion, cutting their horses loose, endeavoring to effect their escape. Eight of the rebels were found dead, and
others were dragged away dangling in the stirrups of their saddles. Among the killed was their Captain,
Wilcox. The second Lieutenant we have a
prisoner. But two of our men were
wounded, and those not seriously. The
Captain of Company B[7]
was saved a mortal wound by a ball striking a revolver at his side, glancing
off, just grazing the skin across his abdomen, and lodging in the thigh of a
corporal. We captured 33 prisoners, 34
horses, 11 mules, 2 wagons, 60 guns, and a variety of other articles, which we
of course confiscated.
This is the first blood that our
regiment has drawn. Our boys were
perfectly frantic, it requiring considerable effort to hold them back in
order. The camp we routed was recruiting
for the rebel Congressman Burnett, from this district, which is trying to raise
a regiment. A Kentucky regiment is
forming at this place quite rapidly now.
You may look for something active from
this quarter before long. Two of the
iron clad gunboats arrived here last week.
L. W.
Army Correspondence.
--
From
the Ninth Illinois Regiment.
Fort
Himan, Ky.,
Feb. 11, 1862
Mr. Editor : - I suppose that before
this reaches you the news of the capture of Fort Henry will have been received;
but knowing that many of the readers of your paper are acquainted with me, and
that people generally, love to read direct communications, I will give you a
sketch of the affair, though it be in a more humble style than many of your
correspondents.
On Tuesday, the 4th inst., the troops
at Cairo commenced embarking, and on the next day several boat loads passed
Paducah. The troops at that place were
then got in readiness, and embarked throughout the day and night – in all about
18,000 troops – and steamed up the Tennessee river to within four miles of the
fort. Here we disembarked on both sides of the river, and on the morning of the
6th inst., we started toward the rebel stronghold. At 12 o’clock the gunboats, seven in number, started, and at ten
minutes before one o’clock P.M., the first gun was fired. The boats formed an arc, a circle, the
points of either side and center extending down the river, at a distance of six
hundred yards from the fort. After
firing a few moments, they ascertained that the rebel’s guns could not pierce
our iron-clad boats, and they then moved up and poured into the fort such
terrific volleys of shot and shell that the rebels could not long endure it,
and at five minutes to two o’clock P.M., they hoisted the white flag. Gen. Tighlman[8](sic)
and his staff were taken prisoners, together with about one hundred
others. About fifty were killed in the
fort, and several of our brave men on board the gunboat Essex were killed or
scalded. The Essex had approached to
within two hundred yards of the enemy’s works, when a shell from the fort
entered one of her portholes, struck her boiler and bursted it, scalding a
large number of her crew. General
Tighlman (sic) had sent out 3,000 troops to intercept the approach of our
forces by land, but they faced about and started for Dixie without showing
themselves. On account of the high
stage of water in the river and creeks, our infantry forces could not pursue;
but the cavalry gave chase, and the following day captured eight field pieces
and thirty prisoners, and killed a considerable number of the retreating foe.
On the opposite side of the river, and
one and a half mile above Fort Henry, is another fortification called Fort
Himan. It is not yet completed, and no
enemy cannon have been mounted on it; but the earthworks thrown up are
extensive, and breastworks and rifle-pits are completed. An Alabama regiment that was at the Manassas
battle, and also a part of a Tennessee regiment, were stationed here. – When
the head of our column came in sight over the bluff, we saw, not what we
expected, (rebels in line of battle), but one promiscuous flight. At the sight of them our boys yelled
furiously.
Ah! then and there
was hurrying among the rebels,
And cheeks, all pale,
which but an hour before were red with rage and daring;
Tongue’s struck dumb,
with unfinished sentences of chivalric boasting.
Great designs for
slaughtering Lincolnites
Were suddenly,
unceremoniously concluded.
Not a drum was heard,
not a rally note,
On the field where
the chivalry was fleeing,
Not a rebel fired his
farewell shot,
From the works which
the chivalry were building.
Excuse me, Mr. Editor, for I discover I
had almost become poetical. I am not
naturally or else, aided as I am by my estimation of Southern chivalry, so
lately manifested, I should have soared aloft in a strain of poetical eloquence. But to simmer right down, now and say the
least that I can, it is really laughable the way they did skedaddle. One huge nigger was sitting in a tent. Says a soldier of the 11th Indiana,
“What are you doing here?” “I was jes’
cookin’ dinner for the gemmen jes’ gwine away.” “Well, why didn’t you go along?” “I was gwine, but they went so fast I couldn’t keep up with ‘em, so I
stopped hyar.”
We captured here one hundred large and
splendid tents, small arms, clothing, &c. At Fort Henry a large quantity of tents, small arms, and an abundance of
ammunition fell into our hands. The
fort was defended with nineteen heavy guns, one of which was a 128-pounder
columbiad. I have just passed around
the fort, viewing the work of destruction with our shell and round shot
performed. Th(?) of the enemy’s cannon
were rendered useless, the carriages having been struck with a ball. A 24-pounder rifled gun burst during the
engagement, killing several of the rebels. It is evident that we have goof gunners on our gunboats, for the rebel
flag-staff was brought down the second shot. The works here are very good. I
believe I have never seen a fort that surpasses it in the construction of the earth-works.
Gen. Tighlman was student of General
Smith, the commander of the division on the west side of the river here. He called upon Gen. Tighlman, when the
following language passed between them.
Gen.
Smith – I am sorry to see you in this condition.
Gen.
Tighlman – I think I am right, General.
Smith
– That is all I have to say then.
The rebel General and his staff were
sent to Maj. Gen. Halleck in St. Louis. A company of our cavalry have since been over to Fort Donelson, which is
twelve miles from here, on the Cumberland river. They had a little fight, and captured sixty and killed ten
rebels, with a loss of but one man. The
rebels are well fortified here, and have 20,00 men. The prisoners say they intend to fight. And well they may, for it is the safety-valve of Nashville. We have now here about 32,- troops, and are
under orders to march at 8 o’clock A.M., to-morrow; and if fortunate, I may in
a few days give you a sketch of our adventures there. Fort Donelson is several feet higher than Fort Henry, so that our
gunboats can not make such a raking fire as they did here, assisted by the high
water. We expect a little more pluck on
the part of the rebels this time.
After the battle here our gunboats went
up the river, captured three rebel boats, and then went on in ther majesty
until they reached Florence, Alabama. The people on shore waved their handkerchiefs and cheered for the Union
as they passed along. Our iron-clad
boats are a terror to the rebels, for they can not hurt them; they have tried
in vain. I think matters will go on
more lively hereafter, in these quarters. If I am permitted, I will write again. Let me propose to my friends up North to join me in three rousing cheers
for the Union. ‘Tis a soul-cheering
sight to see the dirty Rattlesnake and Pelican rag of secession hurled down and
trampled into the dust, and our glorious Star Spangled banner hoisted over
their strongholds. Hurrah! the ball is
rolling, and soon the last vestige of rebellion will be ground to powder.
L. Webb.
...from Goodhue County Republican newspaper(s) of 23 August 1861
(page 2), 30 August 1861 (page 2), 4
October 1861 (page1), 8 November 1861 (page 2), and 21 February 1862 (page
2).. Published in Red Wing, Goodhue
County, Minnesota. Held on microfilm at
the Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota History Center Library, 345 Kellogg
Blvd. West, St. Paul, MN 55102. Search
and copying by Ron Kurpiers, 10 May 2001.
Transcription and annotation by
Jonathan Webb Deiss, in Washington, DC, May 2001.
[1] Diary of Capt. Loren Webb,
entry for 19 August 1861 : “Monday,
19th E.I.R.B. 2d Kgs. 16th Acts
15. This morning I was detailed for
officer of the day. It was the first
time I ever served as on that post. About noon news came that the rebels had occupied Commerce – a place 30
miles above here. With one piece of
cannon, drove all the union people out of the place and fired grape shot and
Minnie musket balls at the people in a skiff. Our boat, which started to St. Louis, had to return. Preparations are making to dive them
out. Our reg. Organized. I am co. F.”
[2] Diary of Capt. Loren Webb,
entry for 13 August 1861 : “Tuesday, 13th
E.I.R. Bible 2 Kgs. 10 Acts. 9th. Eng. In drilling. Toward eve
learned of the fight in Mo. One of our
men took three prisoners to day in Mo. Brought them in. They pretend
that they were taken on purpose to be delivered from the southern army.”
[3] Diary of Capt. Loren Webb,
entry for 14 August 1861 : “Wednesday, 14th Pleasant. Read 2d
Kgs. 11-12 Acts 10. The news came today
of the battle of Springfield, Mo. Much
excitement in our camp. The 7th regt.
Ordered out into Mo.”
[4] Diary of Capt. Loren Webb,
entry for 15 August 1861 : “Thursday 15th
E.I.R.B. 2d Kgs. 13 Acts 11. the
7th and 12th regiments struck their tents and marched aboard the boats. Started up the river, destination
unknown. More news of the late
battle. Confirmation of the death of
Gen. Lyon.”
[6] 9th Regiment Illinois
Infantry Volunteers
[7] William Charles Kueffner.
[8] Loren has misspelled the
General’s Name; it is correctly spelled Tilghman. Historical Data Systems, Inc,
P.O. Box 35,Duxbury MA. Paraphrased from Confederate Military History, vol. II,
p. 163. Lloyd Tilghman, born 1816,
Talbot County, Maryland, graduated from the United States Military Acadaemy in
1836, served as a 2nd Lieutanant, First Dragoon, and resigned 30 September
1836. He volunteered for service in the
Mexican War as aide to General Twiggs and later as Captain, Maryland and
District of Columbia Volunteers, 1847 – 1848. 18 October 1861, Tilghman was commissioned Brigadier-General of
Volunteers in the Army of the Confederate States of America and captured 6
February 1862 while engaged in the defense of Fort Henry. He was exchanged soon thereafter and
subsequentky killed by a shell fragment 16 May 1863 at Champion’s Hill,
Mississippi.
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