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Here is some information about the 32nd Iowa that can help with first person impressions.
-The 32nd Iowa trained at Camp Franklin, formally known as Camp Union, in Dubuque, Iowa
-Camp Franklin was located at the base of the bluffs near the Mississippi.
-In September of 1862 there were about 3,500 men from several different Regiments, including the 32nd and 21st Iowa.
-The barracks were newly built that year, but lacked stoves inside.
-All cooking was done outside of the barracks over an open fire.
-An account from The History of Dubuque County states,
"The report of the hospital at Camp Franklin from September 18-Nov. 30, 1862 showed that the whole number of admitted was 193; returned to duty,163;furloughed convalescent,7; discharged 1;died 8; remaining in the hospital, 24. Typhoid, bilious and lung fevers prevailed. Men of the Twenty first, Twenty seventh, Thirty second, and Thrity eighth regiments suffered the most."
-Camp Franklin had two sutlers, Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Woodnough. It was recorded that Oyster Soup was distributed free to the sick of the camp by the post sutlers.
-Many in the 32nd were uniformed by a Dubuque Mercant named Mark Smith.
-From the September 13 copy of the Dubuque Herald,
"The soldiers about town appear to be enjoying themselves as much as possible. A number of them got together last evening with their girls, and had a "little dance" out at Martin Schaffner's. Jim Lilley furnished music for a large crowd.
The boys, both in camp, and those quartered about town, speak very well of the eating arrangments, and say the victuals are plenty and good, but complain of their sleeping quarters, as the nights are getting cool. For the last few nights about two dozen have staid in the Press Room of this office, where the temperature is higher than out of doors. Blankets are wanted now."
Dubuque was a hotbed of southern sympathizers because of it's location on the Mississippi River. One of the largest storys of the time was the arrest of Mr. Mahony, the editor of the Dubuque Herald as well as a congressman from Dubuque. In the Herald he was often openly anti-war and had southern leanings and was often accused of treason. On August 14th he was taken from his home and sent to a jail in Washington. He sat there for over 10 weeks without a trial, hardly even hearing his accusations against him. This was one topic that everyone in Dubuque at the time would have been talking about.
In early November the 32nd Iowa left Dubuque.
From the Nov. 18th editon of the Dubuque Herald,
"Complimentary-Two companies belonging to the 32nd Regiment paid our office the favor of three groans yesterday morning, on their way to the river. We considered the demonstration highly complimentary to us. The greatest indignity such men could have shown us would have been to have cheered us. Those who approve of the outrageous course practiced in the arresting men without any warrant of laws-in detaining them in dungeons and jails without any charges of criminal conduct, and who violate every provisions of the Constitution we are all sworn to support, can confer upon honest citizens no compliment by either cheers or any demonstration of approbation. The very fact that they oppose us in conlusive evidence of our integrity. Let them pass. It is presumable that they knew no better.
We do not mean that all these men are thus overwhelmed by ignorance or prejudice. We saw many in the Company who did not groan. Such men are gentlemen by nature, and will never turn thier backs upon the enemy. Those who groaned are the men who will be the most likely to run when danger comes."
Appearing in the next days edition of the Dubuque Herald is,
"Complimentary- We omitted to mention that the two companies of the 32nd-the members of which groaned our office-owed us $15.65 for copies of the Herald ordered by them, and left at their camp; and that they took away three barrels of apples from the levee without paying for them or letting the owner know it, and that Ernest Young's house was near their camp and was burned down the night before they left town. We mention these things in order that honor may be givern to whom it is due."
More will hopefully to come after I make another visit to our Historical Society.
Dan
-The 32nd Iowa trained at Camp Franklin, formally known as Camp Union, in Dubuque, Iowa
-Camp Franklin was located at the base of the bluffs near the Mississippi.
-In September of 1862 there were about 3,500 men from several different Regiments, including the 32nd and 21st Iowa.
-The barracks were newly built that year, but lacked stoves inside.
-All cooking was done outside of the barracks over an open fire.
-An account from The History of Dubuque County states,
"The report of the hospital at Camp Franklin from September 18-Nov. 30, 1862 showed that the whole number of admitted was 193; returned to duty,163;furloughed convalescent,7; discharged 1;died 8; remaining in the hospital, 24. Typhoid, bilious and lung fevers prevailed. Men of the Twenty first, Twenty seventh, Thirty second, and Thrity eighth regiments suffered the most."
-Camp Franklin had two sutlers, Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Woodnough. It was recorded that Oyster Soup was distributed free to the sick of the camp by the post sutlers.
-Many in the 32nd were uniformed by a Dubuque Mercant named Mark Smith.
-From the September 13 copy of the Dubuque Herald,
"The soldiers about town appear to be enjoying themselves as much as possible. A number of them got together last evening with their girls, and had a "little dance" out at Martin Schaffner's. Jim Lilley furnished music for a large crowd.
The boys, both in camp, and those quartered about town, speak very well of the eating arrangments, and say the victuals are plenty and good, but complain of their sleeping quarters, as the nights are getting cool. For the last few nights about two dozen have staid in the Press Room of this office, where the temperature is higher than out of doors. Blankets are wanted now."
Dubuque was a hotbed of southern sympathizers because of it's location on the Mississippi River. One of the largest storys of the time was the arrest of Mr. Mahony, the editor of the Dubuque Herald as well as a congressman from Dubuque. In the Herald he was often openly anti-war and had southern leanings and was often accused of treason. On August 14th he was taken from his home and sent to a jail in Washington. He sat there for over 10 weeks without a trial, hardly even hearing his accusations against him. This was one topic that everyone in Dubuque at the time would have been talking about.
In early November the 32nd Iowa left Dubuque.
From the Nov. 18th editon of the Dubuque Herald,
"Complimentary-Two companies belonging to the 32nd Regiment paid our office the favor of three groans yesterday morning, on their way to the river. We considered the demonstration highly complimentary to us. The greatest indignity such men could have shown us would have been to have cheered us. Those who approve of the outrageous course practiced in the arresting men without any warrant of laws-in detaining them in dungeons and jails without any charges of criminal conduct, and who violate every provisions of the Constitution we are all sworn to support, can confer upon honest citizens no compliment by either cheers or any demonstration of approbation. The very fact that they oppose us in conlusive evidence of our integrity. Let them pass. It is presumable that they knew no better.
We do not mean that all these men are thus overwhelmed by ignorance or prejudice. We saw many in the Company who did not groan. Such men are gentlemen by nature, and will never turn thier backs upon the enemy. Those who groaned are the men who will be the most likely to run when danger comes."
Appearing in the next days edition of the Dubuque Herald is,
"Complimentary- We omitted to mention that the two companies of the 32nd-the members of which groaned our office-owed us $15.65 for copies of the Herald ordered by them, and left at their camp; and that they took away three barrels of apples from the levee without paying for them or letting the owner know it, and that Ernest Young's house was near their camp and was burned down the night before they left town. We mention these things in order that honor may be givern to whom it is due."
More will hopefully to come after I make another visit to our Historical Society.
Dan
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