Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-10-20
were never before known IN the
blood-stained annals of this little
world,

were never before known IN the
blood-stained annals of this little
world. s0
DEATH OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The only CLEAN of hope which
came to the Unionists in these dark
days was at the sudden death Of JET
terson Davis. Upon the occurrence
of that event many took hope for a
time, thinking that some change for
the better might occur. But it tran
spiied that their hopes were ground
less; for Davis, an aged and tottering
man, had long been controlled large
ly by more vigorous and ambitious
minds, and he was scarcely under
ground before the reins of govern
ment were seized and held by a rep
resentative Of opinions NOSE ultra, if
possible, than his, to which an un-
scrupulous ambition furnished a more
terrible incentive. This was the des-
pot whose cruel sceptre rules us yet,
and from whose oppression there
seems to be no possibility of escape.
LAST DAYS OF THE GREAT CONFLICT
Torn and decimated as were the
Union forces, they rallied CALAMITY
upon the death of Dayis-which oc-
CURED in ls77-and fought in their
hopeless cause with marvellous vigor
for time, driving back the serried
columns of their oppressors by their
force of determined and superior
bravery. But their triumph was
brief, for the successor of Davis, ,hav-
ing become thoroughly master uf his
new position, hurled upon them such
overwhelming numbers that all they
had gained was wrested from them,
and they were driven slowly back,
sustaining heavy losses, until forced
to abandon all outposts and concen-
trate and intrench their position in
and about Chicago. Here they de-
termined to withstand all assaults
and yield not their position while
man remained to defend it. Here
the vast armies of the oppressor were
checked in their victorious progress,
and made to realize that the foe they
were pressing SO closely was yet for
midable.
THE SIEGE OF CHICAGO.
Now comes the most dreadful por-
ton of my story-so dreadful that it
beggars description. Thank God,
such scenes as were here enacted have
seldom blurred the pages of history.
The siege of Jerusalem the atrocities
of ancient Roman conquests were
humane when contrasted with that
awful holocaust, the Siege of Chica-
go.
/ FORTIFICATIoNs.
The city, though not possessing
the advantage of a commanding to-
biographical position, had been fortl-
fed as thoroughly as possible. The
area within radius Of three miles
north, west and south from the Gus
tom House, corner of Clark and Ad-
ans streets (then appropriated as the
Capitol building) was inclosed by
carthworks Of a formidable character
all ornamental trees within the
city having been sacrificed in the
construction of abatis. Along the
lake shore also, ,breastworks had been
erected, rendering access by water
difficult. (Traces of these fortltica-
tions may yet be found)
| Within the city every street was
blockaded by abatis and distractions
of boxes, barrels, and every availa-
BILE material, SO that in case the out
works were carried the enemy could
be impeded at every step in its prog
ress toward the Capitol. All the
principal buildings were barrlca-
ded and thoroughly Manned
Trenches and rifle-pits were dug, and
batteries planted wherever an advan-
tageous position could be found.
In order that all supplies might
not be cut off,an approach to the city
by land was formed on the north,
and protected by breastworks on
either side as far as Evanston
Through this narrow enflade, pro-
tected alike from assault by land or
water, supplies were brought which
enabled the beleaguered city to hold
out to the bitter end.
A large structure on the lake
front, known as the Exposition build
ing,served as military headquarters,
being connected by a network of
telegraphic lines with all points along
the outside Notifications.
CHICAGO BoMBARDED.
Having driven the Unionists with
in their defences, the vast columns
of the Confederate or Imperial fore
es paused in some confusion, seeing
how impregnable to infantry were
the Notifications. After brief con-
sultation, and having been reinforced
extensively, the invaders decided on
immediate bombardment. They at
tempted to surround the city COM
pletely, and cut of'all supplies. For
this purpose their left flank concen-
trated and stormed with great fury
the breastworks guarding the north
ern approach. But the Unionists
poured upon them such terrific vol
leys that they were forced back with
great precipitancy and disorder
Again and again they rallied, only to
meet a similar fate. After repeated
failures and heavy losses the idea of
carrying the apprach was abandoned
and the bombardment began in
earnest. About the entire city,
as closely as they dared
approach the fortfcations, the
enemy planted heavy artillery.
From these immense guns murder
GUS fire was poured in from every
side. While a fleet of iron-clads
from the lake did serious damage in
that vicinity, Notwithstanding the
heavy earthworks. The headquart-
ers, being Immediately behind the
forttications, was not damaged ma
terially.
The bombardment continued, with
varying intensity, for
THREE TERRIBLE MONTHS,
until al within the city grew desper-
ate and thoroughly reckless. The