John Brown Jr. to Jason Brown et al, August 19, 1856

August 19.

The affair last mentioned was conducted with such expedition that the United States troops, located about a mile off, had not time to reach the scene before it was all over and our men on their return, marching in good order. Our men numbered four hundred, and had the cannon which they had taken at Franklin. With this they fired six balls, out of seven shots, through Colonel Titus's house before his gang surrendered. This series of victories has caused the greatest fear among the proslavery men. While the firing was going on, the citizens at Lecompton fled across the river in the greatest consternation. Great numbers are leaving for Missouri. Colonel Titus was seriously wounded by a Sharpe's-rifle ball passing through his hand, and lodging in his shoulder too deep to be reached. It is thought the wound will prove fatal. Day before yesterday Governor Shannon and Major Sedgwick of the army went to Lawrence to obtain the prisoners our men had taken; but our men would consent to give them up only on condition that they on the other side should give up the prisoners that had been taken on warrants at Franklin, the next day after the battle there, for participating in it; and, as a further condition, that they should give up the cannon which had been taken from Lawrence at the time it was sacked; and still further agree to do all in their power to break up the camps of armed desperadoes, as well as to prevent their coming in from Missouri. These terms were complied with; and yesterday the prisoners were exchanged and the cannon at Lecompton given up to our men, and it is now once more in Lawrence. Thus you see they have themselves set their own laws at nought by that exchange of prisoners whom they had taken on warrants for those we had taken by the might of the people. Lane's men were on hand and did good service. The Chicago company that had been turned back on the Missouri River were on hand and in the thickest of the fight. Some say Colonel Lane was in it himself. Father returned with the overland emigrants, leaving in Nebraska Henry Thompson, Owen, Salmon, Frederick, and Oliver, much improved in health. He was in the fight at Franklin, and also aided in routing the gang on Washington Creek, as well as in the capture of Titus and his crew. By this time he is in Iowa, or some other distant region. He is an omnipresent dread to the ruffians. I see by the Missouri papers that they regard him as the most terrible foe they have to encounter. He stands very high with the Free-State men who will fight; and the great majority of these have made up their minds that nothing short of war to the death can save us from extermination. Say to the men of Osawatomie to become thoroughly prepared, for at any time their lives may depend upon their efficiency and vigilance; that military organization is needed for something else than amusement. Don't fail to urge the enrolment of every able-bodied Free-State man, and place yourselves in a position to act both offensively and defensively in the most efficient manner. Stringfellow and Atchison are said to be again raising a force to come in from Missouri and carry out their long-cherished plan to drive out or exterminate our people. If our men are wide awake we shall gain the day. The prospect for Kansas becoming a free State never looked brighter. Now is the time to prepare, and continue prepared. Have not yet learned of any definite action of Congress in regard to us prisoners, but we doubtless shall in a few days. Wealthy continues to have the chills and fever every few days. Write often.

Ever your affectionate brother,

John.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 312-4

Letter of Enos Hammer of Company G, 7th Iowa Cavalry, January 11, 1864

Cottonwood, N. T.

Jan 11 1864

Dear Father

I see myself today to write you a few lines to let you know that I am getting some better. I don't know whether I will get to come home yet or not Elisha don't want me to go but the doctor was down here last week and talked with me a little while and told me to come down to the hospital, and he would fix it up and I went down there this morning and carefully examined me so I don't know what he is going to do he will ____ if the Capt. hant played thunder with it so Jim may know how things are working out here I have $100 and I would like to know what to do with it I don't have anything to do only read and such like that.

Several of the boys are sick one of the boys from Story County has got something like the spotted fever the doctor told me he thought he wouldn't get well.

We have had right smart of snow and cold weather here for quite some time but it is getting warmer for the last few days. Sergt. Wellman has lost use of his left arm and leg it was caused by being wounded in the side the cook is getting some grub for dinner the Capt. is talking of reducing Jim Allen to the ranks of a private for staying at the sutlers all the time but he does his duty all the time by standing guard every night Job Beals got a letter from Jesse about a week ago he has had the lung fever but was about well but was unable to work you need not be afraid of me a gambling or drinking whiskey or anything of the kind for I am down on luck as any old strict Quaker

I must bring my letter to a close and remain as ever

Enos Hammer

To Henry Hammer

Please rite soon for I haven't heard from home for a long time. you can rite 2 times as week

Page county . . .

. . . with a population of 4,500 has sent five full companies to the war.  The Page county boys in the Nebraska Regiment at Donelson covered themselves with glory.  A correspondent of the Missouri Democrat, and many other competent witnesses, testify to their brilliant daring.  It is a pity, however that an Iowa company should be in any other but an Iowa Regiment.  We want Nebraska to receive every merited compliment on her own hook, and we want Iowa to be treated in the same way.  It is a matter of regret that Page county is so mixed up in war matters with foreign Regiments, that herself, and her State will not receive the praise which her achievements demand.  If an Iowa Company in a Nebraska regiment, fight with the gallantry of veterans at Fort Donelson or any where else, their heroism goes to the credit of Nebraska and not Iowa. – Des Moines Register.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 2

Letter from the 7th Iowa Cavalry

Fort Kearney
Feb. 17th, 1864

Mr. Editor :–

It seems somewhat strange that something from the Seventh Iowa Cavalry does not oftener appear in your columns. The Seventh by some has been lightly spoken of. But by old regulars, I am authorized to say that it will compare favorably with almost any other regiment in the field for good discipline, or in any other respect, though I must say there is yet room for improvement. As far as fighting is concerned the Seventh has not played much of a hand. We may yet have a change to show our fighting propensities, and I do not know of a boy in the regiment who would not welcome the day that sends us South. The companies are scattered almost from one end of Nebraska Territory to the other. Companies G and F being stationed at Cottonwood Springs, A, D and H at Fort Reamey [sic, should read Kearny], and the other companies on the Missouri River at different points above Omaha City. I don’t suppose there is another regiment in the field that guards more territory than the Seventh Iowa Cavalry. Its daily performed line of duty, too, is excessive. The civil law being of little force, the ordinary duties of the civil authorities are naturally devoted upon the military. Co. B, I understand, has recently had some difficulties with the Indians up about St. James, but I have not been able to learn the result.

A Word on our career since leaving Iowa. After crossing the muddy Missouri River we were stationed in camp for a few days, near the village called Omaha City. After having recruited our horses &c. we found that we were to be scattered to the four winds over Nebraska Territory. It fell to the lot of three companies A, D and H, to go to Fort Kearney. About the last of August, all things being ready, we gathered up our traps, turned our horses’ heads to the far west and commenced our wearisome journey. Not however without first getting the example of Lot’s wife, casting our eyes back towards home and its endearments. Our march was not accompanied with anything very adventurous. I might however say that we were one night aroused by the sound of the sentinel’s carbine and the report was instantly afloat though camp that the Indians were upon us. The boys were instantly under arms, falling into line with the speed scarcely imaginable for new troops. But no Indians. Nothing of the kind could be found, and after an hours scouting through the brush on the Platte, the boys returned to camp much dissatisfied at their novel disappointment. We arrived at Fort Kearney in due time and found it a very commodious home for the soldiers, though somewhat lonesome. The boys soon made themselves quite proficient in hunting, as the buffalo were quite plenty here at that time. Most of the boys have become excellent riders. The Nimrodian laurels belong to on John A. Guy who soon became so will skilled that while riding at full sped he brought down two large buffaloes in fifteen minutes time.

Platte River is about one mile wide, sometimes exceeding that, but seldom falling short of it. The channel is so shallow that it can be forded in almost any place. It is interspersed with numerous low islands which are covered with thick underwood and grape vines forming a good retreat for wolves &c. The one thing most remarked about this river is that in the summer season while it has plenty of water with heavy current, in others there is none. At the crossing at Fort Kearney when we came here, there was not a drop of water in the channel, but in a few weeks after our arrival the water came down with all the violence of a mill race, yet no rain had fallen to produce this effect.

The health of the three companies stationed here is very good. Some few cases of fever have occurred, but thanks to the care of Dr. A. J. Willy, none have died. The moral condition of the soldiers here is not as good as it might be. We have not been favored with a chaplain, from what reason I am not able to say. I suppose Uncle Sam thought we were coming out west where there was no danger, and consequently would not need a spiritual overseer. The post is at present under the command of Major H. H. Heath, who spares no pains to keep the soldiers under him in good discipline causing a thorough inspection of arms once a week. The horses and horse equipage are in excellent condition, although the former have several times been jaded by extensive scouting.

Solic[i]ting pleasant dreams for the Editor, his subscribers, and the good citizens of the very interesting and business city of Oceola, I am yours, and a prisoner yet.

Soldier.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, March 12, 1864