When we fought the war: County joins Civil War effort

Editor?s note: As part of the nation?s 150th Remembrance of the Civil War, the Henry County Civil War Sesquicentennial Task Force will be publishing a monthly column, written by Henry County historians. The research for the articles comes from Henry County newspapers published between 1861-1865, as well as diaries, journals and letters written by Henry County Civil War soldiers and their families.

Today?s author is Dr. T. R. Brereton, PhD, Professor of History and Chair of the Division of Human Studies at Iowa Wesleyan College

By Dr. T.R. Brereton

Following the bombardment and surrender of Ft. Sumter, newly-inaugurated president Abraham Lincoln declared that rebellion was in progress, and called for 75,000 state volunteers to crush it. Upon this, southern states that had not yet seceded ? Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas ? withdrew from the Union. Two days later, on 17 April, Iowa Governor Samuel Kirkwood ordered the state militia to raise volunteer companies from each county, to be formed into regiments. ?The nation is in peril,? he said. ?A fearful attempt is being made to overthrow the constitution and dissever the Union.? In all, sixty-one regiments were organized, comprising over 76,000 Iowans ? the most soldiers per capita than any other state.

Men of Henry County were quick to reply to Kirkwood?s appeal. On 14 April, a correspondent to The Home Journal wrote, ?Let us rush together and fraternise. Let him who is the friend of our country be our friend. Let him who is the enemy of our country, be our enemy.? At a Union meeting in Mt. Pleasant on the 15th, a resolution affirmed that the city was ?ready to furnish men and bayonets? to preserve the country. Two companies of community volunteers, the Mt. Pleasant Greys and the Mt. Pleasant Zouaves, were raised. By August, they were joined by a company from Winfield and the Tippecanoe Rangers, the Union Rangers, and the Marion Guards.

Many of these early volunteers, like those who joined the Greys, signed enlistments that were terminated after 90 days. Many citizens, North and South, expected the war to end quickly. Others weren?t so sure. The editors of The Home Journal, noting the likelihood of reverses and setbacks, wished to ?prepare our readers for what may be expected. We conclude then that the contest will last from three to five years, and counsel that we all prepare our minds for it.? These were sober, accurate words, but for the moment enthusiasm was high.

For example, when the Mt. Pleasant Greys arrived in Burlington en route to the state muster site in Keokuk, the Burlington Hawkeye reported that they ?paraded the streets? and ?were regarded with pleasure as they marched to time through the city.? While Mt. Pleasant cavalry drilled in nearby Trenton in June, troopers ?were suddenly besieged by the ?natives? and . . . taken prisoners.? They were then ?tortured . . . with a most sumptuous dinner, together with many kind attentions . . . [and] an ardent attachment to the one great cause, which is now enlisting the best energies of every true patriot.?

Very soon, though, patriotic ardor would give way to horror and grief, as many Henry County boys found themselves in desperate combat with the enemy at Wilson?s Creek, Forts Henry and Donelson, Shiloh, and Corinth.