davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25

A ACoNTRABAND's IDEA OF THE WAR One
of our prominent business men-a thorough
loyalist by the way-while waiting for the
cars at q railroad station few miles out of
town, spied young man of the genus soon
traband," lou9gins under a she'd. Think
ing him good type Of his class, our friend
employed the time in getting his notions of
the war The following colloquy ensed
"Wsll, boy, where do you hail from ?''
"Why, boss, when I'm at home, live out
in Michigan" ..'.''t.- '
"What are 5the folks in Michigan doing
these timese Or. have they all goue to the
war ?"
mo, not tail ob'em. So1s Of dern hab
gone to the war, and some stsy At hone.nn
"Well, now, what do you think the war
is aboute What are they fighting for so
mush down South ?''
With that expression of eye whict, only
"contraband" can exhibit. accompanied by
peculiar nervous twitching of the lips, he
answered:
why, down South, dar dey want the
colorcd people to hoe corn and do all kinds
ob work for nuthing, and our folks North
here want 'em paid for it like white people.
So dey's got fighting about it, I'spose.'
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25
Prom the Chicago Evening Journal
Visit to Fairfax S~s-.suary and
that vicinity.
BY b. F. TAYLOR.

Leaving Alexandria, the other day, rode
westerly toward Fairfax Court House. 1t
is suggestive region. There at your left is
Manassas Junction; in your front. Centre
vile; beyond, Bull Run Mountain and far
ther still, seen from the Observatory of
Fairfax Seminary, the smoky ranges of the
Blue Ridge. To the northwest is Harper's
Ferry; to the southwest, Culpepper Court
House, and this little triangle thus formed,
is all dotted with places that shall 60 into
song and story; hardly one Of them but has
a Federal memory and loyal grave. As l
struck out upon the great thoroughfare, a
broad, yellow ribbon of dust quiveri1g in
the sun. it seemed as legible as line of
print. Along it, outward bound, what squad.
rons "full Of lusty life'' had rolled brigades,
divisions, corps, like the gathering clouds OF
q tremendous storm. What crushed bat
talions have come creeping back thereon,
and ah, what thousands there are that shall
never return.
You pass the sentinels, and are fairly out
at sea. And that is the word precisely you
are amid the bold sweeps and swelis of old
Virginia. | think it would disappoint you
as. it now looks; Of the trees that once col
onnaded the road. nothing remains but the
unseemly stumps; the fences are all swep:
away; the fields all lie open as they did
when Raleigh was smoking his first pipe Of
tobacco. The stately trees haye been felled
for camp-fres; the fences have gone up in
glory. You could hardly recognize in
that tangled patch once beautiful garden
in that broken field. thick with unJer.
growth, once elegant lawn. On that hilr
and that, and yonder, and in the troughs o.
the sea between, lay our army There a
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25

Most men determine to have a liv.
ing if they die for it.. f ~
A smile is to beauty what the dew
is to the rose. -
Keep your eyes wide open before
marriage, half shut afterwards. '-'
The girl who has address can win d
great many addresses. i .aiyfd
The noblest question in the worla
is-What good can l do in it?
The human race is undoubtedly of
more Importance than horse race.
There are three faithful friends: sa
old wife, an old dog. and ready money,
Marble is hard substance often
used as a tablet for hard lying.
August is unquestionable the grand
harvest month for reapers and doctors.
Make man think he is more Gun
ming than You, and you can easily out
wit him. 8s9Ea Ea ag
He who has gained the pinnacle Of
life has nothing to hope and every
thing to fear. M
Second thought is said to be better
than first but first childhood is better
than second.
Incredible as it may seem, many OF
the richest planters in Jamaica live on
cffee grounds.
Tricks and treachery are the prac-
tice of fools that have not wit enough
to be honest. glf sue sTds
After reading worthless book, one
/ feels az. if he had tired his Jaws in
cracking an empty.nut. . acsaT
SIMPSONS hair grew again but not,
his eyes; time may restore some losses
while others are beyond its power
Vegetable life is more vigorous than
animal lite. A tree can stand great
deal more hacking than man. a.ae
Why was Joseph pnteinto the pitt
Because there wasn't any room ] fny
him iu the "family circle"
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25

The delegates to the 1st Congressional
Convention met at the Hall in Fairfield on
the l7th of August, 1854 The meeting
was called to order apd the Hon. Judge
Sloan was elected temporary Chairman,
and John P. Grantham appointed Secretary
and johnson Pierson Assistant Secretary.
On motion, the Chair appointed one del.
egate from each county Committee on Gre.
dentials, whereupon the following named
gentlemen were appointed that Committee
n. S. Foote, Desmoines J. M Beck, Lee;
J. NJ. Edwards, Louisa; w. j. Law, Davis;
G. F. Devol, Henry; G. F. Wright, vanBu-
ren; S. G.. Owens. Washington. .a
On motion the following named gentle
men were appointed Committee on Reso-
lutions
JC Rullpan, Davis; NJ Edwards, Louisa;
J R Lewis, Washington; VIM Long, Jeffer.
son; Jacob Kaufman, Henry; John B Stew
art, VanBuren; j B Howell, Lee.
1t was moved that the Convention adjourn
to o'clock, IN. e
The Convention met pursuant to adjourn.
ment.
Judge Sloan, the Chairman, announced
the place of meeting of the Committee on
Credentials in the room below.
On motion. the Committee on Creden.
tials made its report. The report was re-
ceived. o#H A
On motion, the names Of the delegates
from Lee was request ed to be read, where
upon the names OF 80 were read for Lee
whereupon the report of the Committee was
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25
lNFoRMAL BALLOT.

FRsr BALLor-Valkenburg, 80 Rorsr.
"a; Weaver, 40.
SECOND BALLor-Van valkenburg, 90;
Weaver, 7S.
The Convention having by ballot elected
John Van Valkenburg District Elector by
a majority of ~ over his opponent, Col.
Weaver, it was agreed that his nomina-
ton be made by acclamation, whereupon it
was made by acclamation unanimously.
Onmotion it was moved that three rous-
ing cheers be given for Col. Weaver, which
followed with much eclat. Ga
On motion, it was agreed that the men,
bers of the Congressional Central COMMITTEES
he appointed. whereupou the following gen.
tlemen were named rs that ommittee.
Congressional Committee.-F. G. Owen,
Washington; G w McCrary. Lee; B Nc
Maxim, Desmoines; John Glantham, Hen.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25
SOMEBODY'S DARLING.
yard Of the whitewashed b aIls,

Into ward of the whitewashed halls, ~ f,.{
Where the dead and dying lay,
: Wounded by bayon cts, shells, and balls,
Somebody's Darling was borne one day
5 Somebody's Darling, so young and so brave,
wearing yet on his pale, sweet face, TN
So on TO be hid by the dust of the grave,
The lingering light of his boyhoods grace
Mattedand damp are the curls OF gold.
Kissing the snew of that fair young brow.
Pale are the lips Of delicate mould
Somebody's Darling is dying now.
Back from his beautiful blue. veined brow.
Brush all the wandering waves of gold,
Cross his hands on his bosom now,
h, Somebody's Darling is ,iH and cold,
KISS him once for somebody's sake,
Murm ur prayer soft and low; '3
One bright curl from its fair mates take,
They were somebody's pride you know
Somebody's hand hath res ted there,
Was it q mothers soft and white?
And have the lips of a sister fair
Been baptized in the waves Of light9
God knows best The has somebody's love,
tomebody's heart enshrined him there
Somebody waited his name above
Night and morn on the wings Of PRAYER.
Somebody wept when he marched away,
Looking so ha ndsome, brave and grand;
Somebody's kiss on lis forehead lay,
Somebody chung to his parting hand.
Somebody's waiting and watching for him
feGrning 10 hold him again to her heart;
And there he lies with his blue eyes dim.
And the smiling child-like lips apart
Tenderly bury the fair young dead,
Pausng to drop on his grave a tear;
Carve on the wooden slab at his head,
Somebody's darli sg slumbefs here"
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25

your left, stan ds a feeble regiment of corn,
the first since all this landscape was Camp
US Marius. The houses thinly sprinkling
the picture look strangely, amid the young
growth, as if all were going back to wilder
ness again, and the dwellings were to be
buried and lost in new forest. Yonder is
the mansion of Bishop Johns, bnt the foot
fall OF its old master is no longer heard upon
the threshold. Away in th,t field is tomb;
without tree or shrub or inclosure; no home.
stead, no living kindred near, nothing but
the lonely dead and the rank weeds waving
in the wind the landscape is page of des-
olation, and the lettered seal affi xed is that
gray old tomb. r-
You are 1t Fairfax Seminary, an slegan
building, once thronsed with, students, but
now hospital. Yonder is the Ladies' De.
partment, but the merry girls are gone the
laugh, as tuneful as the song of birds, is
hus'ed. Where are they all? Ask as wei,
"where are the birds that sang
An hundred years agor'
In that grove is chapel, but response and
chant have died out. B,yonets glitter
among the trees, soldiers sit in the shade /;
sentries pace their narrow beat in the sun.
From that mill below, Mosby's men once
poured fire upon our troops. That heavy
growl you hear is from Fort Albany, and
Fort Lyon takes it up. From the Observa-
tory of the Seminary you have magniH-
cen: picture. You are facing the east. Be.
hind you the Blue Ridge; at tour feet the
Potomac; you can almost fancy the stately
curve of the Shenandoah in sight at your
left, and the Rapp ahannock at your right,
as it hastens down to the Chesapeake. Be.
meath you sits Alexandria across the river
the capital around you an embossed girdle
of earth and iron.
Mosbys men are ubiquitous; we are in
Mosby's country he darts in and darts out
like hornet he turks in this underground;
he prowls within rife shot The party OF
which | was ole did not see him, but it was
no wit Of ours that he did not see us. The
very next day, brace OF very gay Majors
were riding over the same ground we had
traversed; they were halted, relieved OF
watches and greenbacks, turned inside out,
and dismissed with this piece of advice
"when you ride this way again, ride bigger
ard better horses, and we'll take them ~
Did you ever hear of John Gilpin and his
ride! MORAL: my patient reader has pro.
baby read the last letter he will ever get of
mine from out the undergrowth around
Fairfax, eR.pr
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25

ry; VIM. Long, Jefferson; j B Weaver, Da-
Wis; j S Hurley, Louiss; j S Sloan, Van Bu-
rem. NJ
The Convention reathrmed the Baltimore
Platform, and passed the -folowipgs
ResolUea, That we most heartily endorse
all the official acts of-ouroFery worthy and
efficient Representative, in Congress, the
Hon. J F Wilson, and we HEREBY pledge
our best efforts to return him to Congress
The business of the Copyenuon being
over, Hon. James F Wilson being present
was loudly called for, and in his happi;est
manner entertained the Contention.
After which Col. Weaver was called and
responded in his usual pleasant manner.
On motion, the Convention adiauraed.
j. S. SLOAN, Pres't.
j. P. GRANrHAM, Sec'y,
j. PIERsoN, Asst Sec'y
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25

The New York dry goods trade.is
at stand still, and importers are at "a
loss to know what to do, whether to
take their goods out of bond or reship
them to Europe. The prices of many
articles place them beyond the reach
of consumers, and the Presidential
contest will cut down the regular
trade of the country at least one halt.
A considerable amount Of hosiery
and gloves has been reshipped to Eu-
rope by importing jobbing houses. -,
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25

The baltimore American speaking
ofthe Wade and Davis protest says
that Henry Winter Davis, having mis-
represented his constituents and defed
their known sentiments on almost
every subject brought before the pres
ent Congress has lost all influence in
his State and district. Hence his
threat to the President amounts to but
very little more than his individual
vote.ss
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25
The 9Th Iowa Infantry were made

The 9Th Iowa Infantry were made
the recipients on the 9Th inst at Mem.
phis ofa magnificent stand OF coi6fs,
the gift of the citizens Of Memphis.
The flag is very handsome national,
tringed with solid bullion. The .ooloss
We're presented as q testimonial of
their esteem and to mark their sense of
appreciation of the services the officers
and men have rendered since they
have been detailed as Provost Guard
of Memphis. 7 aas cid 7osn
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25

On motion of j. B. Howell 1t was moved
that James F. Wilson be nominated by 40.
olamation, which was accordingly done with
three rousing cheers.
Cn motion, it was agreed to nominate
District Elector, and the counties to De
called alphabetically.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25

Anold lady, reading an account of the
death Of a venerable and distinguished law
yer, who was stated to be the father Of the
Philadelr rhia bar, exclaimed. .Poor man |!
he had a dreaifai noisy set OF children. +" -
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25

An Irish girl at play on Sunday be-
ing accosted by the priest. "Good NOR.
ming daughter of the Evil One," meek
ly replied, "Good morning, father
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25

Ths drouth of 1set may Justly be
considered one Of the most severe that
has prevailed in this country for mapy
wears. From .lAn oS-.--vI may % lle
5s-rn OF July, inclusive, . period Of fif-
ty nine days only two inches end forty
three hundredths of rain fell.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25
OTTUMWA, IowA, THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1864.

Crouch, P. Deford, G. w. Farlin, p. Hoover.
VIM Meserva, A. Mcconnell, NJ. Rayburn,
s. Stevens, and G. VanVoast of co D miss.
ing. The 18th lost in killed, wounded and
missing on the 22d, 1874, and co. d Is.
1t was hard fought battle, 1 have never
seen so much bravery and coolness displayed
by officers and men generally. Too much
cannot be said in praise of our Field officers
and men, Colonel Belknap and Hedrick (our
Major was not with US, he was on General
Blair's staff both Of whom were always in
the thickest Of the fight encouraging the
men, aid all appeared willing to die in the
ditch or on the open field if need be to check
and defeat the enemy. -;.J.;,,,
We all feel sorry in losing for the present
Colonel Hedrick, yet we hope he will soon
be able to return and take command of his
regiment, e., ,ss,.ts
On the morning Of the 9th the army Of
the Tennessee under Major General Howard
moved to the extreme right Of Sherman's ar
my and took our posi- ton within about two
miles Of Atlanta on the west. We found
the enemy's pickets watching fer us; we
constructed temporary breastworks Of rails
supposing that the rebs would attack us.
About IL O'Clock on the 9th the enemy
supposing our lines terminated with the 18th
corps made an attack expecting to turn our
right and capture US, or drive US back in
confusion. They couldn't see the flank how.
ever, vet nothing daunted they kept trying
our lines further and still further to our right
until the 14th, 10Th and part of the 17th
corps were engaged. They charged us re-
peatedly trying to break our lines but were
as often driven back in disorder losing many
of their men. Poor fellows they lay thickly
over the ground and will no more meet us
in battle Many threw down their guns and
came into our lines, while others were con-
tinually skedaddting to their rear. Our rail
breastworlss saved US, consequently our loss
was slight. The 18th lost in killed and
wounded IL. Thoma, Palmer Of co. d was
struck on the head with a piece of shell, but
not seriously I'M ured The battle lasted from
II o'clock till dark, when The enemy retired
leaving US in possession Of the field, since
which we have been advancing and making
goca Notifications. gra
Colonel Belknap has been promoted to
Brigadier General since the aSth, we are
truly glad to see him wear the stars, we'll
satisfied as we are that he has earned them,
commanding the Iowa Brigade-Major
Pomutz commanding our regiment
We look forward anXiouslv to the IA Of
Atlanta as we need rest. think this the
hardest campaign of the war.
FIFTEENTH
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25
OTruMwA, Aug. 18th 1864

OTrUMwA, Aug. 18th 1864.
FRIEND NoRRIs.--I hand you very ac.
cnrate account Of the circumstances attend.
ing the death of the late lamented Major
Gen. j. b. Mcpherson. desire yon to pub.
lish it, because there haa been published
very inaccurate account, and because Of
the honorable mention in this account of
Private George Reynolds of Capt. Porter's
company of thus county He lives across
the river near Blakesblirg I believe Gen
Mcpherson fell near the left, and rear of
our Regiment. Reynolds was severely
wounded and going to the rear found the
General, and remained with him as stated
in the enclosed article taken from the Chi
cago Tribnne, and furnished by Lient.
Col. Strong, Gen. McPherson's Inspector
Gen. and Capt. Buel his ordinance officer.
am very respectfully,
Your obedient servent.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25
a j. NJ. HEDRICK.
Lieut.. Col. 10Th Iowa Vol.
THE DEATH OF GEN. MCPHERSON.

THE DEATH OF GEN. MCPHERSON
An untruthful account Of the death OF
Gen Mcpherson. in the battle of the 22d
has had wide circulation in the columns
Of the Northern press. The officers Of the
late General Mcpherson wish published
in the Tribune their statements Of the real
facts. The paper which I enclose is Of in.
terest to the relations and friends Of the Ia.
mented commanders of this army-a,id
should have as wide circulation as has
been given to the sensation account hereto
fore published, It's interesting also as
giving an official statement in relation ia
the history Of the battle of that day, and
furnishes evidences of two Of the principal
causes of the rebel advantages gained in
the commencement Of the engagement.
allude to the interval between the 18th and
l7th corps, and the withdrawal Of Brig.
ade from the line of the 18th which had nc
reserve. JAcs.
HEADQUARTERS DEPT AND ARMY Of
TUE TENNESSEE, BEFORE ATLANTA, GA.
Angus. 9Th 1864 s.
Editors Chicago Tribune: .
| noticed to-day in the Tribune of the 29tt
ofJuly an account Of tie death Of Major Gen
.eral Mcpherson, and the manner in which
his body was recovered from the field by
Captain Buel and myself, copied from I
Nashville paper. The, account, as contained
in your paper is grossly incorrect in every
particular, and have the honor to respect.
fully request that you win publish the fol.
lowing statement Of the manner in which
the General was killed, so that the relatives
and friends Of our beloved commander may
know the facts just as they occurred.
General Mcpherson was killed, or NOR
tally wounded about 1880 p. m ION tn,
2ad day of July, while passing from tn,
right flank of the 10th Army Corps to the
left flank Of the 18th Corps. The 10th Corp
was in position perpendicular to the mai,
line, facing to the left. rear. and coverin,
our trains, and when the first attack wa
made there was slight gap, not occupied
by our troops, between the right of the l6tl
and the left'of the nth Corps.
General Mcpherson was on the field in
person, and remained on the right Of tn,
10th corps until the first assault of the en-
emy had been rcpulsed. As soon as b,
had become satisfied that the enemy Sha,
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-25

The above is an accurate statement Of
the circumstances attending the death Of
General Mcpherson, and Of the facts attend.
ant upon the recovery of his body.
d. II. Buel, Capt. Ord Dept U. SA.
The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1864-03-24
The One Term Principle.

The New York Tribune is urging that
the Zone. Term" principle should ever
be rigidly adhered to 10 relation to the
Presidency; and its editor lays particu-
Jar stress upon the fact that he and the
rest of the Wings Of that day, used
earnestly to urge "this good old Harry
Clay principle upon the people in 1910
as sound aud salutary"! Some Of the
readers of the Tribune may need to be
reminded, certainly its editor will not,
that the pith and marrow Of this argu.
ment in favor Of the zone. Term" prin-
ciplc in 1910, lay in the fact that he and
his Wing friends wanted to prevent the
reelection of Van Buren,, and desired to
place Gen. Harrison in the Executive
Chair in his stead, because a change of
Government policy was demanded by the
Tribune editor and those with whom he
acted. 1t is easy to see that this same
argument has precisely the same force in
1864 it had in 1910 with all who desire
a change Of National policy, as was in
sisted on by the supporters of Gen. Har-
rison and sHphsticaIly decreed by the
people 10 tH0triumphant election Of that
candidate. Hence, all who oppose the
abolition policy" of the present Ad.
ministration, and would fain guarantee
to tho rebels Of the South full posses.
sion of their wonted seats in Cabinet and
Congress, and all their slaves that can be
recovered from the National Army or
recaptured in the North, with compensa-
tion for all hopelessly fugitive, will and
do advocate the adoption of the "One.
Term principle. So also should the
7nbuae If. it is convinced that 10 any
important particular q change of Gov
eminent policy is needed, aud that this
can be secured by the election Of new
President, and not by the 70 election Of
the old Then there will be an exact
agreements between its views Of 1910 and
those Of 1854; otherwise not.
There is a great deal of cant and hum.
bug about this advocacy of the zone.
Term" principle, that would be at once
repndisted il the facts of our past his
tary were but examined. The "One
Term " principle was apparently applied
in 1856, yet who can tell the difference
between the policy of the Administra.
lions of Pierce and Buchanan No one
will deny that the only practical applica.
tion of that principle then possible, was
in the election of the anti slave extension
candidate of the Republican party
Then there would have been a change
Of Government policy and principle. -
And so now the only practical applica-
ton of this principle lies in the election
of Mcclellan, or Seymour, or Vallauds.
ham as the successor of Mr.. Lincoln.
The Tribune will not need to be asked
whether it desires this !-Dareaport Ga
zcfte.
The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1864-03-24
MARY JANE KEITH, +,
yS.
4 AMBROSE [. KEITH.
DIVORCE.

no Ambrose 1. Keith, sir:-You are hereby
1 notified that there is now on file in the OF
nee OF the Clerk of the district court in and for
E9aar county, iowa, petition of Mary Jane
KEITH claiming from yon decree diyorcine her
from the bonds Of matrimony now existing b..
tween you, on the ground OF desertion, Md
unless you appear and defend said cause n or
before noon Of the second day of the ne ~ term
OF sa'd court, to be held on the 9th day 4 June,
a. y. lso4, default will be entered gfnst you,
ton. NARY JAEE ETH pin
Feb ~, f4. Avs Piatt 4 Spser, Att'ys