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| Emmett B. Woodward |
Some days I start to think I've exhausted the supply of tales true and tall embedded in digital versions of Chariton newspaper back files. And then something I've not noticed before appears --- for example, this letter recalling Lucas County in 1860 and 1861 as Civil War approached. The letter eluded me earlier because it was published in The Patriot of June 5, 1889 --- an issue that for some reason is included in only one of the three digital databases I use regularly.
The author is Emmett B. Woodward (1834-1898) and if the photograph looks familiar, that's because I used it the other day when posting his obituary. So you can read more about Capt. Woodward by following this link, "Perhaps no Lucas Countyan had more friends ...."
The letter was written in response to an article from the long-vanished Iowa Patriot of July 11, 1861, that had been republished in The Patriot of May 29, 1889, regarding the departure from Chariton of Company B, 6th Iowa Volunteer Infantry --- the first unit raised in Lucas County for Civil War service, commanded by Capt. Daniel Iseminger with Woodward as his 1st lieutenant. You may read that article, if you care to, by following this link: "July 8, 1861: Farewell to the Boys of Company B."
Woodward's letter provides a good deal of additional detail. My favorite --- that the 100 or so volunteers awaiting assignment in Chariton that long-ago summer were housed in the courthouse where straw had been spread on the floor of the courtroom to provide a soft place to sleep. Imagine that.
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Chariton, Iowa, June 3, 1889
Editor Patriot.
Dear Sir: The articles copied into your issue last week from an old "Iowa Patriot" of July 11th, 1861, referring to the raising of, and final entry into the United States service, of the first Company of Lucas County, commonly known as Capt. Iseminger's Company, brings back to the subscriber's mind very vividly the days and weeks of work and anxiety in the spring and early summer of 1861, and you will pardon me for taking up a small space of your valuable sheet in referring to the organization of this Company, and doing honor to some whose names do not appear on the first roster of the Company.
It is impossible in a single newspaper article to describe the feeling throughout the north upon the fall of Fort Sumpter in the latter part of April, 1861 --- It is only those living then, and old enough to comprehend the stirring events of the time, that can appreciate it. To the new generation it is all but a matter of history and tradition.
From the time of Mr. Lincoln's election in November, 1860, the war clouds had been gathering --- upon the meeting of Congress the feeling became intensified. The southern leaders at once assumed a dictatorial spirit that precluded all hope of a compromise, making the election of Mr. Lincoln not only an excuse, but to their minds, virtually a declaration of war, professing to believe his election meant the downfall of slavery. Mr. Buchanan (then President) and his Cabinet were as but putty in the hands of the southern conspirators, and it was to the weakness and vacillation of that administration during the last few months of its existence that the years of woe following can be largely attributed. To every loyal man of the north the fall of Sumpter meant war, and both young and old felt that the day of compromise was over and the strength of the Union was to be tested.
Our little hamlet of Chariton then contained but 400 or 500 people, but almost to a man they believed in sustaining the government. If there were Democrats then opposed to the war they kept their own thoughts, but many of those most prominent took an active part in the war subsequently, being true followers of our then great leader, Stephen A. Douglass, who died blessing the Union.
Daniel Iseminger (afterwards Captain of the Company) was at the time assistant Post Master, a Democrat and a veteran of the Mexican war, and to him many of us younger men turned for advice and assistance, and very naturally so, as he was probably the only man in town who had ever seen an array of troops either in peace or war. Warren S. Dungan (afterwards Colonel of the 34th), E.E. Edwards, myself and others at once commenced raising the Company, and to Colonel Dungan's efforts largely was our success due. He spent days and nights visiting the school houses with others in the recruiting service, and it was only at the last moment on the eve of our departure to the front that he was prostrated by illness and unable to go.
In May we had secured enough men to fill the Company, and offered our services to the Governor (then Kirkwood) and through the influence of Hon. John Edwards (known to the old settlers as "Honest John"), then Speaker of the House of Representatives, we were promised a position in the Third Iowa Infantry. For this purpose I went to Des Moines with Dr. W.H. Gibbon, the Legislature at the time being in extra session, and returning in a couple of days with this assurance the boys were delighted and preparations were made for moving at once.
A day or two later a letter came from Gen. Edwards saying the Governor had given the place promised us to a Company raised by other parties. The news to all of us was demoralizing; many of the boys swore they would go home, etc., but the war clouds thickened day by day and it became evident that more men would soon be wanted, and it was not long before the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Regiments were called for, and the Chariton Company assigned to the Sixth Regiment, becoming Company "B" of that noted organization.
To the hospitality of the citizens of Chariton at that time we owned much. There were nearly 100 men kept here for several weeks, being fed by the citizens while we bivouacked them in the Court House --- the Court room not having been seated, but as the weather was warm and pleasant, and plenty of clean straw and bedding provided, the boys enjoyed this as a foretaste to camp life, and many a time in the succeeding three or four years some of the boys would have given a month's pay for a Chariton ration and bed.
In the roster published I do not find the names of many who joined the Company soon after leaving Chariton, among whom was J. R. Landes (present City Marshal). With the addition of recruits from time to time the Company had about 137 members before the final mustering out at the close of the war, and of that whole number there is not to exceed twenty-five living.
It is sad to read over the list and find name after name to which the only silent response comes "dead," "killed in action," "died of wounds," "died of disease." The few that were left are now gray haired, infirm, and soon, too will have answered the last roll call.
The career of Company "B" is merged into that of the Regiment and the history of the 6th Iowa is bright and equal to that of any regiment from Iowa, and Iowa regiments, east or south, proudly sustained the reputation of their State let the cost in life be what it might. While all did well, none did better than Iowa.
Of those citizens living here in 1861, and who did all in their power to assist our company during the long time it was awaiting orders, but few remain. The Palmers, both Oliver and Thos. E., did much, not only by encouraging words but contributing liberally. James Baker, the leading Democratic lawyer (since one of the Supreme Judges of Missouri), gave freely and worked for our interests. Dr. W.H. Gibbon was active in the good cause and subsequently went himself as Surgeon of the 16th. The Waynicks and many others I cannot now call to mind, did all their circumstances would permit.
The ladies did (as they ever do in a good cause) all they could to brace up the boys and on the morning of our leaving Chariton gave us the banner which subsequently was used as the regimental flag at the battle of Shiloh, where no less than four men were killed while carrying it. its staff was broken into three pieces, its stars and stripes almost obliterated, and being entrusted to me upon leaving the army in 1864, I brought it home, and finally turned it over to the Adjutant General at Des Moines, who had it patched up and today it can be seen by anyone visiting that office and having the curiosity to look at the battle scarred relic.
Very Truly Yours, I Am
E. B. Woodward
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