Re: Primary Accounts Thread
[Published in the Iowa City Republican on February 26, 1862]
Fort Randall, Dacotah Ty.,
Feb. 8th, 1862.
EDS. REPUBLICAN:
Excitement being on “tip toe” and the cause the subject of conversation in every circle, I thought I would take my pen (although occupying quarters in the hospital) to let your many readers learn that we are even at Fort Randall, subject to excitements and changes.
Some four or six weeks ago, it was reported that the War Department had authorized the Governor of Dacotah to fill and garrison this post with Dacotah volunteers, and the Iowa boys to leave for the sunny South, and join their regiment for more active service, which caused considerable vocal speculation, murmur and much dissatisfaction.
This report was a number of times contradicted and affirmed, but some two weeks ago, it was proven that the Dacotah volunteering had turned out an entire failure, not being able to raise a respectable corporal’s guard. I wish the friends in Iowa to understand that the Iowa boys never once feared leaving for a field of more active service — but having traveled through a bitter Northwestern autumn, the fatiguing march of over five hundred miles, and then to be turned into the drifting storms of mid-winter, for a more than equally fatiguing and weary march, brought a shudder. . . .
About the time the above had passed into forgetfulness — and there being but little excitement excepting on mail days, and I would say, I have often thought if the friends at home knew the good it does a poor soldier to receive a letter, and the downcast looks of the disappointed, they would employ their pens more faithfully than they appear to do for the “Boys of Fort Randall.” The news came that a Major from Dacotah had been appointed to take command of the Fort. This was, like the former, a number of times contradicted and affirmed. But on Monday (3d ult. 25) Major Lyman came to the garrison, presenting his papers and demanding the assignment of the commandership of the post. But Capt. Pattee, believing his papers not sufficient, refused to give up the command. Thus for a day or two, nothing of interest excepting a few articles of correspondence between the two claimants, passed. On Tuesday following, the Major issued an order of arrest of Capt. Pattee in his quarters, which added greatly to the excitement and speculation. On Wednesday morning (5th ult.) showing additional papers, and convincing the officers of the garrison that he was entitled to the commandership, he entered upon his duties as Major commanding at Fort Randall. I believe the whole battalion is much dissatisfied.
If an officer from the regular army had been sent to take command, there would not have been heard a murmur of dissatisfaction. The Iowa boys believe it an imposition upon them, as volunteers from the State of Iowa, and are now praying that arrangements be made on the opening of the Missouri, for their removal, to join their regiment. . . .
Yours, W. W. Co. A.
[Published in the Iowa City Republican on February 26, 1862]
Fort Randall, Dacotah Ty.,
Feb. 8th, 1862.
EDS. REPUBLICAN:
Excitement being on “tip toe” and the cause the subject of conversation in every circle, I thought I would take my pen (although occupying quarters in the hospital) to let your many readers learn that we are even at Fort Randall, subject to excitements and changes.
Some four or six weeks ago, it was reported that the War Department had authorized the Governor of Dacotah to fill and garrison this post with Dacotah volunteers, and the Iowa boys to leave for the sunny South, and join their regiment for more active service, which caused considerable vocal speculation, murmur and much dissatisfaction.
This report was a number of times contradicted and affirmed, but some two weeks ago, it was proven that the Dacotah volunteering had turned out an entire failure, not being able to raise a respectable corporal’s guard. I wish the friends in Iowa to understand that the Iowa boys never once feared leaving for a field of more active service — but having traveled through a bitter Northwestern autumn, the fatiguing march of over five hundred miles, and then to be turned into the drifting storms of mid-winter, for a more than equally fatiguing and weary march, brought a shudder. . . .
About the time the above had passed into forgetfulness — and there being but little excitement excepting on mail days, and I would say, I have often thought if the friends at home knew the good it does a poor soldier to receive a letter, and the downcast looks of the disappointed, they would employ their pens more faithfully than they appear to do for the “Boys of Fort Randall.” The news came that a Major from Dacotah had been appointed to take command of the Fort. This was, like the former, a number of times contradicted and affirmed. But on Monday (3d ult. 25) Major Lyman came to the garrison, presenting his papers and demanding the assignment of the commandership of the post. But Capt. Pattee, believing his papers not sufficient, refused to give up the command. Thus for a day or two, nothing of interest excepting a few articles of correspondence between the two claimants, passed. On Tuesday following, the Major issued an order of arrest of Capt. Pattee in his quarters, which added greatly to the excitement and speculation. On Wednesday morning (5th ult.) showing additional papers, and convincing the officers of the garrison that he was entitled to the commandership, he entered upon his duties as Major commanding at Fort Randall. I believe the whole battalion is much dissatisfied.
If an officer from the regular army had been sent to take command, there would not have been heard a murmur of dissatisfaction. The Iowa boys believe it an imposition upon them, as volunteers from the State of Iowa, and are now praying that arrangements be made on the opening of the Missouri, for their removal, to join their regiment. . . .
Yours, W. W. Co. A.
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