The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-01-26

with which his father, in 1912, and hi
grandfather in 1776, had stirred the heart,
ofthe loyal brave. For ought know, thi,
same drum beat defiance to, Sir Georg,
Packenham, on the battle field of New Or.
leans. The history ofthe 9th Iowa is ,
proud one. From the day of its organiza.
tion till thsexpiration of its three years
term Of service--from the time it reported Il
Gen. Pope in Missouri, where it executed
the first ofits many long and fatlguine
marches in its brilliant achievements al
New Madrid and Island. No, 10 and its pa.
tience and gallantry before Corinth; 10 its
heroic conduct at Corinth October Sd, and
4th 1862 Raymond, Jackson, Champion's
HUI and before Vicksburg in its unparallel
ed valor displayed ON the heights of Mission
Ridge, whereA considerable portion Of the
regiment was. csptured; and finally in its
last great campaign with Gen Sherman,
from Chattanooga to Atlanta--in all its con
duet no blot disfgures its fair record and II
is but just to add that to its noble nrst Col
.onel this regiment is chiefly indebted for its
superior discipline and s1ciency.
In the early history Of the war, the peo.
pie OF the North were SO largely imbued
with their peculiar ideas o. democracy (do.
ing ~ they pleased) that it was hard for
them 70 learn the duties and submit to the
requirements, Of ofsoldiers !; and at first some
members Of Col. Worthington's regiment
were restiys under his strict discipline. -
But the semi-oflcial order Of Gen, Pope, of
October 1861, announcing, "Colonel your
regiment is the most soldierly appearing on
! have seen in Missouri secured, in the
future, An unquestioning compliance with
his orders; for they were proud of their
name, and knew to whom belonged the cred
It. This too, in connection with the fact of
his having perilad his own life in rescuing a
private Of his own cOmmond from drowning
in the Missouri River, made him, from, that
day to the. day. Of his death, the idol OF b is
regiment.
Soon after entering the field, Col. Worth
lngton was given brigade command, with
which he accompanied Gen. Fremont on his
celebrated march from Jefferson city to
Springfield. We next find him with Gen.
Pope at New Madrid, where, during the ten
lays siege, be was conspicuous. To his
command was assigned the important task
OF assaulting and capturing the upper Fort
which, may add, would have been success
fully accomplished, had not the ruse de
guerre of Gen. Stanley been OWNED by the
enemy. This was on the morning of the
7th of March, 1862, and on the m ,rning of
the 18th the place was evacuated. Bnt the
gallantry Of companies A. and B, of the 5th
Iowa, and three companies of the 39th In.
diana (these regiments were of Col. Worth
ington' 'scommand) should not omit to
mention. On the afternoon of the 4th of
March, these troops, under command of
Maj Robertson Of the 9Th Iowa, made the
first demonstration against New Madrid
After engaging the enemy's pickets and
driving them through the large cornfeld
that lay to the North Of the town, they sud.
denly found themselves confronted bya
force which, in numbers, was nos only tribe
their own, but which was supported by ar
tiliery. Here, however, they maintained
their position, in tho face Of a CALLING fire
for upwards Of an hour; nor did they. re.
tire, till ordered to do so by Col. now Gen.
Granger.
During the operations around Is land No.
10 which was surrendered to Gen. Rope on
the 7th Of the following April, Col. Worth
lngton was again conspicuous and the
troops of his command were by order Of
Gen. Pope, permittei to inscribe on their
flags, "IsIand No. TO-" He now sailed to
Hamburg Landing, on the Tenn essee,
where, with the command of Gen. Pope, b e
took up his position before Corinth, on the
left of our army. But his gallant career wa.
soon to close: he was shot by needless and
frightened sentinel, on the morning of the
'2d of May and the story, brief one, is
.hus sadly told.
HEADouAREERs, ARMY OF THE MIss.)
NEAR FARMINGroN, May 22d, 1862.
GEN. ORDER No So:
The general commanding announ ces to
The army with deep regret the death of Col.
W. H. Worthington, Fifth Iowa Volunteers.
He was killed by an unfortunate accident
his evening, at two o'clock, while in the
discharge Of his duties as general officer of
he day.
By Order Of Gen. Pope.
SPEED BUTLER,
Asst. Adj't. General.
The report of the gun was heard by Capt.
Wever andrny self, who, at the time, were on |
picket duty, on the extreme left. It came
o us across an open field to our right and
tear, and from the edge of the timber which
vas some quarter Of a mile away. On our
return to camp in the morning we learned
The sad story. The night was dark, and the !
sentinel, having left his post was walking
'arelessly to the rear, when tho officer ofthe
lay approached. Forgetting that he was
sithin the line, and alarmed at what he
the approach Of the enemy, he
ired without even challenging the approach.
ng party. The ball took effect near the
eft eye and the Colonel, falling from his
horse, died almost instantly. ss8
OF the many gallant Iowa officers who
nave fallen in the service of their country,
lone were more deeply and sincerely