The writing of any biography involves luck, hard work, travel, research, and the help of many people. This biography was no different. The letters on which it is based were loaned to me by Leslie Doane, who had been given them because he and E.B. Doane had shared the experience of being prisoner-of-war, he at Bataan. I sought out further documentary evidence from the National Archives, the Iowa Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends, the Iowa State Historical Society, the Kansas Historical Society, several local Iowa and Kansas libraries, and the Monmouth College Library. Also I received much assistance from my Doane relatives.

It has been possible for me to visit the sites of E.B. Doane's activity in Iowa and Kansas, and to follow his routes across Missouri and Arkansas, and Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. Living close to Iowa, and having relatives in Kansas, these visits were more than just cursory, and made the writing of the biography much more enjoyable.

The conversion of the WordPerfect format into HTML has resulted in the loss of all footnotes.

It should be noted that the name Eleazar has various spellings. Eleazer and Eleazor are most common. The King James version of the Bible spells it El-‘-~'-zär (Eleazar and Ithamar are the surviving sons of Aaron; see Leviticus 10), but E.B. Doane spelled his name, and his family name as well, in various ways and preferred to be called E.B. or Captain Doane.

  That numerous descendants of the Doane family are to be found in north central Kansas today in only a reflection of a wider movement of Quaker pioneers over a period of many years. The original settlement in Pennsylvania saw a Daniel Doane emigrate there from Massachusetts; the migration to North Carolina saw Jesse Doane settle near Knoxville; and the movement into Indiana, then Iowa, witnessed Robert Doane and his family pushing further and further west; finally E.B. Doane emigrated to Kansas, there to leave his Quaker faith for lack of fellow co-religionists. This background of pioneer ancestry with a deep commitment to a difficult faith explains much about the central figure of this investigation, Eleazar Bales Doane.

Eleazar Bales Doane lived in a critical moment in American history. The movement west and the conflict over slavery were at their height, and he was involved in both. As America grew, and changed, and suffered, he grew, and changed, and suffered with her.

Eleazar Bales Doane was born in Morgan county, Indiana, April 24, 1840, in a frontier community of Quakers. His father, Robert, had come to Indiana with friends and relatives at the age of twenty-three. Two years later, on June 12, 1839, Robert married his cousin, Rachel Doane. Eleazar was the eldest child of seven, but only four survived infancy: Eleazar (1840), Ithamar (1841), David (1847), and Mary (1849). The names chosen for the children illustrate the parents' deep knowledge of and respect for the Bible, an attitude they passed in to the children.

Eleazar's memory of Indiana was to be dim, however, because pioneers were always eager to be on the move westward, and his family was in the pioneer tradition. In 1847 His parents migrated to southeastern Iowa, where large numbers of Quakers were settling around the town of Salem. Robert Doane set out alone, first purchasing land in Cedar township of Lee county, building a log cabin, and then putting in his first crop. Afterwards he sent for his family.

Thus it was that the Doanes came to Iowa. It was a good land, but untamed, and life was primitive. In 1850, when Eleazar was but ten years old, an eastern Quaker described it:

The residences of the settlers in this place, scattered over the prairie land, are chiefly log buildings; the settlement being several miles in extent. In the summer season, while the grass is green, the country, with the cabins and little surrounding improvements dotted over it, has a picturesque appearance; yet to the stranger it gives a sensation of lonesomeness.

Eleazar was young, but in those days everyone worked, and the eldest son of a pioneer family undoubtedly had many chores thrust upon him. While his father worked the two hundred and twelve acre farm, Eleazar probably assisted his mother in caring for the animals and the garden. Later he would work in the fields. There being but a year's difference in age, his brother Ithamar was probably a constant companion in work and play, and a firm friendship bound them together. Unhappily, when Eleazar was twelve, his mother and his infant sister died. His life was greatly affected by this tragedy.

Robert Doane accepted the loss of his wife and help-mate. On the frontier there was little time to mourn. Life was hard, and many died young. The survivors had work to do, and Eleazar's father devoted himself to the rearing of his four young children. He never remarried. He never traveled much. But he built a model farm, with a fine house and barn. And he was a well-read man, deeply versed in the Bible and the classics. He was interested in politics, and was undoubtedly an early member of the Republican party. And he brought up his family to be likewise involved in important ideas and issues.

   Robert Doane was not, however, what Quakers call a "weighty Friend." He had been disowned by White Lick Monthly Meeting in Indiana before his removal to Iowa, and now his farm lay several miles from the Meeting House in Salem, separated by a creek bed impassible in bad weather. It was a difficult enough journey in good times, and Robert had much work to make his farm support his family. Apparently he and Rachel had notified the Salem Meeting of their intention to unite in membership there in 1851, but Robert submitted his request that he and his minor children (David, Mary and Sarah Elizabeth, who had died in April) be united with Salem Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends. This request was discussed at length by the membership. At that time in Quaker history, Friends were much concerned with maintaining their purity, which meant separation from the "world's people." Quakers were extremely strict Christians. They wore the plain clothing, used the plain talk, and pursued lives of utmost simplicity and piety. They disowned members for "marrying out of unity with Friends," cursing, going to court, dancing, participating in military activities, and other Aworldly@ activities. They held strong positive testimonies as well, taking unpopular stands against human slavery and for fair treatment of the Indians. If one did not measure up to these testimonies in every way, it did not mean that one was not an exemplary Christian by other, more conventional standards. Furthermore, there was a schism among Iowa Friends were demanding a more militant stand on the question of Abolition. As early as 1845 numbers of these Friends had felt constrained to withdraw from Salem Monthly Meeting over this issue and, although many reunited with Salem Monthly Meeting in succeeding years, antagonism still remained.

Since Robert Doane seems to have adhered to this abolitionist party (or, at least, to its principles), the reluctance of Salem Friends to admit him to membership is understandable. Indeed, Rachel Doane was buried in the Friends' burial ground held by the Anti-slavery Meeting until 1862, when it was sold to Salem Meeting. When Robert Doane and his minor children were finally united with Salem Monthly Meeting, the resulting ties were not close. The occasion of their admittance into membership was also the last time that these Doanes were mentioned in the minutes of the Monthly Meeting. Perhaps they were among that group the answer to the Queries castigated: "there is a manifest lack in others in so frequently neglecting the attendance of our religious Meeting. Nevertheless, there were preparatory Meetings closer to Robert Doane's residence and he did retain his membership in the Society of Friends to his death in 1889. Always he was known as a devout and well-educated man, and he gave his children a firm knowledge of the Bible and other religious works.

Eleazar's maternal grandparents, David and Ruth Doane, farmed one hundred and sixty acres not far away. As a young man David had worked wherever he could to support his family, but could not afford a farm until he emigrated to Iowa in 1848. By the time of his death in 1862 he had become moderately prosperous. David was not a model Friend either. Early in 1852 he was disowned by Salem Meeting "for using unbecoming language," and reunited only in 1858.

It is of some interest that young Eleazar and Ithamar did not request membership in Salem Meeting. Although they shared many of the testimonies common to Friends, they did not share the adversion to warCthey were willing to participate in that evil in order to eliminate a greater one, human slavery. Certainly, although Eleazar received good religious training, he was never closely associated with the Society of Friends in a formal capacity and apparently frequented the social activities at nearby Sharon Presbyterian Church. However, he was deeply beholden to Friends for their strong testimony against slavery and their independence of spirit.

Slavery was the central and crucial question of that era. Much earlier, when William Penn invited the German settlers into Pennsylvania, the new immigrants asked how slavery was to be reconciled with the Golden Rule. Friends became concerned and opposition to slavery was a widely accepted testimony before the Revolutionary War. All Eleazar's Quaker ancestors shared this attitude. A great-grandfather left the North Carolina because of hatred for slavery, and many Doanes were active in the underground railroad in Indiana. Salem, Iowa, was a hotbed of Abolitionist activity. Some Quakers there formed one of the four quarterly meetings of the Indiana Yearly Meeting of Anti-Slavery Friends, and they made Salem into a major center for the underground railroad, smuggling escaped slaves out of Missouri into Canada. For obvious reasons, participation in such illegal activities was kept secret, but it is quite likely that the Doanes assisted in violations of the Fugitive Slave Act.

Eleazar's education emphasized the importance of the slavery issue. Among the first settlers of Salem was a prominent anti-slavery Quaker educator who founded a school in that settlement. Unfortunately, he died shortly afterward, leaving behind a tradition that later blossomed with the foundation of Whittier College. Also, ten miles to the north, in Mount Pleasant, a noted Abolitionist named Samuel Luke Howe opened a High School for boys and an Academy for girls. His newspapers, the Iowa Freeman and the Iowa True Democrat, strongly opposed the Compromise of 1850 and all subsequent acts which tended to prolong the survival of slavery. He was in Kansas in 1856, helping the Free Soilers to defend Lawrence against the Border Ruffians form Missouri, and often thereafter was in the company of John Brown. Consequently, he was called a "madman, fanatic, and agitator." Certainly he was an influential figure. General Sherman was his pupil in Ohio, and later wrote: "Prof. Howe I consider to be the best teacher in the United States." Another wrote: "The students in Prof. Howe's school drew in Abolitionism with their Latin and their mathematics. They were employed as in which the editor lived...To the end of their lives will his students to be proud to admit the molding influence of that mastermind. Eleazar Doane studied under Samuel Luke Howe.

This anti-slavery attitude was widely held among Iowans in general, but often for very different reasons. Many workers feared that the extension of slavery would lower wages. These hated and feared even the Free Negroes, because Negroes would work wherever they could for whatever wages they could obtain. Therefore, some whites sought not only to eliminate slavery, but also to eliminate the Negro. Others saw slavery as a threat to democracy. Only the rich could afford slaves, and in the South plantation owners appeared to have disproportionate political influence. Iowans, being largely yeoman farmers, hated slavery for the economic, political, and social threat it represented. As early as 1854 the Whig candidate for governor was elected on an anti-slavery platform. That same year the Republican party, and even its candidate for President in 1860, Abraham Lincoln, was not an Abolition party. In fact, Republican leaders were careful to emphasize that their party did not advocate Abolition, but only opposed the extension of slavery into the territories.

Eleazar Doane, a young man approaching maturity in these turbulent years, had opportunity to participate in these exciting political developments. Nearby in Illinois, within a day's ride, Lincoln and Douglas debated. In Iowa, pro- and anti-slavery orators spoke before large audiences, and the ready communications afforded by the Mississippi River kept Iowans informed as to public opinion in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri, areas where talk of secession was becoming increasing serious. The Democratic party was badly divided; the Whig party was dying; and thus the Republican party became the party of Union, the party of patriotism. Eleazar Doane was undoubtedly a Republican from the beginning, for that party endorsed unity and opposed slavery.

Therefore, when war broke out between the North and the South in 1861, Eleazar Doane and his family were deeply concerned. Not backward in any way, he attempted to enlist immediately. His declaration read:

I, Eleazar Doane, desiring to enlist in the army of the United States for the period of three years and 5 months of age, that I have never been discharged from the United States service on account of disability, or by sentence of court-martial, or by order before the expiration of a term of enlistment, and I know of no impedient to my serving honestly and faithfully as a soldier for three years or during the present war.

Witness W. W. Woods ELEAZAR DOANE

I, Eleazar B. Doane do solemnly swear, that I will true allegiance to the United States of America; and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever, and observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the rules and articles for the government of the armies of the United States.

  ELEAZAR B. DOANE

 State of Iowa Des Moines County Burlington Township

 subscribed and sworn to before me by the said Eleazar B. Doane this 23rd day of September, A.D. 1861 Geo. Sampler, Justice of the Peace. Des Moines County, Iowa.

But Eleazar's enlistment was not accepted. The Iowa enlistment was filled to the legal limits, and the surplus volunteers were told to wait; perhaps they would yet be needed. So he returned to teaching. Probably he and his family hoped for a quick Union victory. Avid readers, they followed the course of events through the local newspapers, especially the Weekly Gate City, an abolitionist paper from Keokuk.

Most persons in the North believed that the South would be overwhelmed in a few weeks, but the Battle of Bull Run snuffed their hopes for an easy victory. As the North began to raise a larger force for another invasion of Virginia, the South also used this time to train new troops, so that when McClellan moved south again in the summer of 1862, Lee was able to check him at the Seven Days Battlefield. It then became obvious that a national effort was needed, and on July 2nd, 1862, President Lincoln asked for 300,000 volunteers.

Within a fortnight Iowa's Republican governor issued a proclamation: "The time has come when men must make, as many have already made, sacrifices of ease, comfort, and business for the cause of the country." The anti-war agitation of Vallandingham and other Democrats was overwhelmed by Republican editorials such as this one in the Burlington Hawkeye:

 THERE IS A WARCLittle by little, day by day, the country is finding out there is a war going on. For fifteen months armies have been in the field...But the great mass of the people have not yet realized the gigantic importance of the contest...The time seems to have come for greater exertionCa more thorough awakening and a deeper determination.

Eleazar Doane had made his decision earlier, and now that Iowans were authorized to raise twenty-two regiments, Eleazar Doane and his brother Ithamar enlisted in the first of the volunteer units to form, the 19th Iowa Infantry, which mobilized in August in Keokuk.

Eleazar Doane gave up much to enlist. His farming and his teaching could wait, but would a young lady named Amelia Cahill? She had come to Iowa with her mother, sister, and step-father, and resided in Harrison township of Lee County, just south of the Doane farm in Cedar Township. Her brother had remained in Cincinnati to be reared in their grandfather's strict Irish Catholic home, but Amelia and Mary Jane apparently attended services at Sharon Presbyterian Church (although their names do not appear on the poorly-kept membership lists there). Amelia was just eighteen, and would soon begin to teach school at nearby Primrose and Farmington. Perhaps she promise to write to the young warrior. That was not uncommon and, to be sure, some young ladies wrote to so many acquaintances in the army as to cause a local scandal.

Eleazar Doane was so determined to enlist that he left his farm, his schooling, and his romantic interests behind and went to war with a number of his Henry County friends. One of these was Richard Root, a capable surveyor and scout of some thirty years of age. He had spent several years in the Rockies, apparently for adventure, and returned to Iowa to enlist as Lieutenant. Another was W.I. Babb, made Hospital Steward of the 2nd Battalion because of his more advanced education. Ithamar Doane, because of his education and connection with Prof. Howe, perhaps because of his firmly expressed beliefs, was made 2nd Sergeant of Captain Roderick's Company. At this time Eleazar abandoned his cumbersome given name and called himself simply E. B. Doane.

An intense, serious young man, E.B. went to fight for his conviction that slavery was wrong and Union was right. Twenty-two years of age, 2nd Sergeant of Captain Roderick's company, he was very patriotic, but interestingly enough, he accepted the twenty-five dollar bounty for enlistment, and someday collected the two dollar bounty for bringing in an enlistment!

The 19th Iowa Volunteer Infantry was mustered in September 3rd, 1862. The Editor of the Keokuk paper reported:

DRESS PARADE. B. Crabb, Colonel, and G.G. Bennett, Adjutant of the 19th regiment arrived in town yesterday morning. They visited the camp during the day, and in the evening officiated at the dress parade, when the Colonel made a short speech, and complemented the men on their fine appearance, and expressed the ardent hope that the 19th might be the best regiment that ever left the State. The Colonel may well be proud of his men. It is generally remarked that a regiment of better men has not appeared in this city.

Three months after his enlistment and two weeks after muster, E. B. Doane and the 19th Iowa Infantry were shipped by river to St. Louis.

Fortunately for the men of the 19th Iowa, they remained at the disease-ridden Benton Barracks less than a week before proceeding to Rolla, Missouri. Probably they traveled south on the South West Branch Pacific Railroad. If so, they were spared marching through interminable miles of rolling red Missouri hills covered with scrub forests of small oaks and maples. But the railroad ended at Rolla, and as many miles lay ahead of them as lay behind. They transversed nother one hundred and fifty miles of uninhabited and useless Ozark mountains, red and dry, by September 25th. As the forest opened to reveal the beautiful valleys and fields of this corner of Missouri and Arkansas, the troops must have breathed sighs of relief. The beauties of the Ozarks in early autumn were, after all, the announcement of the annual death of nature, a reflection congenial to that generation of mankind (and hardly to console soldiers fresh in the field), and the barren mountains possibly concealed hostile armies.

Springfield was a new reality. This bustling young city was the key to the southwestern frontier. The second battle of the war had been fought here, to save Missouri for the Union. The 19th Iowa was assigned to construct fortifications and to act as prison guards. These duties were necessary, but amid these activities, combat training was somewhat neglected. The Iowans were to learn from experience.

In October the Army of the Frontier was organized under General Herron with the duty of protecting the western states from southern invasion and of occupying as much rebel territory as possible. General Herron gave orders to march south. The weather was wet, windy, and cold, the worst possible for a campaign in the Ozark mountains.

The first difficulty arose at the Arkansas line. The Missouri militia units refused to march further south, saying that they had enlisted for service in their own state only. The 20th Wisconsin fixed bayonets and the 19th Iowa took up a position in the rear of the militia and "the militia were given to understand they would have a more relentless foe in their rear than front, if they refused to do their duty." A young member of the 19th described the march into Arkansas: 

Our division then moved west into Benton County, Arkansas, and encamped on Sugar Creek, to the right of Pea Ridge battle ground... Here we remained two days, when, on Monday evening at dusk, October 20th, we again took up our line of march. Slowly we moved out, at first on the main road, then bearing southwardly until we struck the battle ground of Pea Ridge, which we crossed in silence at midnight. Making a short pause at Elk Horn Tavern, (now rendered historic from its location on the battlefield), we pushed on southeast, halting and resting an hour before day-light, and then resuming the line of march. All day we pushed our was down through the ravines and finally up a spur of the Ozark camps on the banks of the White River. We had marched all night and all day without anything to eat, and you may well imagine our appetites were keen. But you may take my remark about "pitching camp," as purely "sarcastical." Not a tent was allowed to be taken from the wagons, and only one hour in which to get supper and prepare a day's rations for the morrow. Of course, it was all that could possibly be done to get enough cooked for our suppers. We then fell into line, an hour or two after dark, marched down to the river, which was quite swift and deep, partly stripped ourselves and forded itCIt was a cold bath, but the men took it without a word of complaint. It was a scene for an Artist's pencil,Cthat crossing the White River at night. A huge fire on the opposite bank cast a glare over the water, and lighted up the faces and bare limbs and glistening guns of the soldiers, as with many a laugh and shout they stumbled their way across. Once all over, large fires were built up, and from midnight till 4 o'clock we shivered and slept around them. An hour then for breakfast, and just as day began to break, we were on the way. Another long day's march over rocky spurs and down long ravines, where gurgling springs rushed out from the rocks to refresh us, but with nary a sign of welcome from human face... An hour before dark we stopped, got a hasty supper, and then, to the surprise of the army, instead of going on to Huntsville, which we were near, we filled to the right and marched hastily west. On we went, now pausing while the cavalry dashed to the front, or to open the way for our battery wagons, occasionally making a short halt for rest. About 2 o'clock at night we reached White River again, and then rested till 5. This gave a chance for our trains to get up, and for the poor, foot-sore, tired and worn out stragglers from the column also to catch up. At daylight we started on without anything to eat, crossed the river again, ascended the hill, and word came that the Rebels were several thousand strong a few miles in front. A march of nearly ten miles, much of the way on double-quick, brought us to the main road from Elk Horn to Fayetteville, about 13 miles below the former place. Here we were f\drawn up in line of battleCthe 19th Iowa on the left and the 20th Wisconsin on the right of our battery, while the gallant 1st Calvary led a dashing charge down the road three or four miles, scattering the rebels and causing them to make exceedingly fast time toward Fayetteville...I venture to assert that no regiment from Iowa has done more hard marching than we of the 19th, for the time we have been in service. To resume, we marched three days and the greater part of three nights, over the roughest roads in America, with only three hastily prepared meals during the whole timeC72 hoursCand traveling upwards of a hundred miles.

Another volunteer wrote:

The 19th Iowa Infantry left Rolla, Mo. on the 16th say of September, and since that time have marched 370 miles over mountainous country...The 19th is a fine regiment of men, but to use them up in this God-forsaken country by such marches and countermarches as they have been performing is indeed a pity.

It got worse, not better. It rained for days on end, and the roads almost disappeared in mud. The baggage trains were left far behind, the supplies did not arrive on time, and many nights were spent cold, wet, and hungry with only the expectation of continuing the march the next dreary morning.

On December 6, 1862, the Army of the Frontier was a few miles southwest of Fayetteville, Arkansas, after a march of one hundred and ten miles in three days through mountainous and heavily forested country. As the long columns of troops neared the Illinois River, scouts saw Confederate entrenchments covering a ridge on the opposite bank. General Herron drew away the defenders' attention with a feint and audaciously crossed the river and formed his army opposite the enemy. Only then did the danger of the situation become apparent. The Confederate force was four times the size of the attackers, and the nearest Union brigade was ten miles distant. Nevertheless, relying on his initiative, General Herron ordered an attack by the 19th Iowa and the 20th Wisconsin. Ingersoll described the attack:

It was a grand sight. The batteries advances across the open field, belching forth and smoke, and sending shell, and grape, and canister into the woods in front as they moved up, and gallantly supported by the Nineteenth Iowa, Lieutenant-Colonel McFarland, and the Twentieth Wisconsin. A rebel battery near the edge of the hill, and a heavy force of infantry constantly fired on the audacious brigade, thinning its ranks at every volley, but it pressed on steadily and firmly till within a hundred paces of the base of the hill. There the artillery halted and the infantry dashed ahead in one of the bravest charges ever made. Moving across the rest of the open field with bayonets fixed, the brave men of the Nineteenth Iowa and Twentieth Wisconsin rushed up the hill, drove the infantry support from the battery, captured the guns, and moved on against the enemy higher up the hill. Overpowered by numbers they were driven back; but rallying under the cheering voice of McFarland they again attempted to carry the position, but were again overwhelmed by numbers and compelled to retire, but not till the undaunted McFarland and hundreds of his gallant comrades had fallen on that fatal field. It was as brave a fight as men ever made, but here it did not avail.

The battle raged back and forth all day. Union reenforcement saved the army from disaster, and nightfall brought an end to the carnage. In the dark the Confederates, still outnumbering the Union forces three to one, slipped away, leaving over one thousand bodies on the battlefield. In the morning the Unionists counted over one thousand casualties of their own, of whom one hundred and eighty-seven were dead. E.B. Doane's Company was hard hit, and his brother Ithamar was wounded in the shoulder.

Official reports were enthusiastic: 

I cannot speak too highly of the gallant conduct of the officers and men of the Nineteenth Iowa, for after being repulsed with great loss by an overwhelming force of the enemy, they rallied and brought from the field the colors of the Twentieth Wisconsin Regiment. Captain (S.F.) Roderick, of the Nineteenth Iowa, deserves special mention for his meritorious conduct. He gathered together some 70 men of his regiment, after it was broken and scattered; rallied them around the regimental colors, and, under my direction, formed them to the left of the Ninety-fourth Illinois, where they did good service, and only retired from the field when ordered to fall back. Lieut. Richard Root, acting adjutant of the regiment, is also entitled to honorable mention. By direction of his commanding officer, and at the request of his captains, he took command of three companies of skirmishers, and maneuvered them with great bravery and skill.

It can be assumed that E.B. Doane fought under his immediate superior, Lieut. Root.

Once recovered from the fighting, the 19th Iowa resumed the advance. E.B. Doane was with the regiment December 28th, when it captured Van Buren, Arkansas. The Confederates had hoped that the mountains themselves would defend this highly Strategic point where the Arkansas River breaks into the Ozarks right on the edge of the Indian territory. It controlled the route from southwest Missouri into Texas and access to the Indians, whose alliance was desired by both North and South. But in a long night march the 19th Iowa crossed the exceedingly rugged Boston mountains and occupied Van Buren. By the 31st the unit had returned to Prairie Grove, where Gen. Schofield reviewed the troops on January 2nd.

On January 3, 1863, Sergeant E.B. Doane was detached from Co. K of the 19th Iowa infantry on recruiting duty, and returned to Iowa in company with his friend and commander, Lt. Richard Root. They reported to Capt. Hendershot, the Superintendent of the Recruiting Service in Iowa, and were assigned to a small town in Henry county, New London. They set up their recruiting station in Perry Frank's Boot and Shoe Store, but presumably they also traveled around seeking out enlistees. They advertised:

Best and Bravest Regiment in the Field...

One months pay and $25 of the $100 in advance. Anyone bringing in a recruit will receive a premium of two dollars.

In May they were reassigned by the new Superintendent to Mount Pleasant, where they established their post in the Brazelton House.

Without doubt, recruiting duty allowed both men opportunity to visit friends and family, and even to do some "sparking." E.B. Doane took advantage of his opportunities. He must have made many trips down into Lee county to court Miss Amelia Cahill. Certainly on the Fourth of July E.B. Doane escorted Amelia to the Independence Day Celebration. This was traditionally the biggest holiday of the year, and the war made it even bigger. Everyone went to the Fair. And that evening she accepted his offer of marriage.

However, marriage had to wait. Lt. Root and Sergeant Doane were offered commissions in a new cavalry unit being formed, and they accepted with alacrity. Soon thereafter, on August 1st, Special Order 105 discharged them from the 19th Iowa and allowed them to concentrate on their new duties. Already they had signed up a number of recruits from Henry county, the first on July 4th, and Captain Root and First Lieutenant Doane hurried to fill the ranks of Company E, 8th Iowa Volunteer Cavalry.

As commander of this new regiment the Secretary of War chose Lieutenant Joseph B. Dorr. Dorr had been a noted Democratic editor, and in the presidential campaign of 1860 Stephen Douglas had written the "Dorr Letter" to him. He had volunteered for the first units organized, had accepted a minor commission, fought at Shiloh, and escaped from prison camp. So many volunteers flocked to join his unit that many had to be sent to other regiments. Many veterans such as E.B. Doane were advanced to officer rank, and new equipment issued, so that the 8th Iowa was considered one of the finest regiments ever raised in the state.

It was not long before he wrote home: 

Dear Father, Brother, and Sister,

I arrived here safe this morning. Everything is all right. The order to muster me out for Promotion has come from the war department and I will probably be mustered out tomorrow. I was ordered to take command of the company this morning. Mendenhall has been thrown out and Charles Sanderson from Keokuk of the 9th Iowa Infantry is 2nd Lieut. of the Co. Lieut. Anderson is acting Adjutant of the Regt and I have all the Responsibility of the Co. to face alone. Capt. Root is here but can't take command yet. But will soon take the command of a Battalion as Major. The Boys are mostly well, none in the hospital. Orderly Durham I understand he is pretty sick. I haven't seen him yet.

Father I want you to take charge of my corn and I hereby authorize you to do so and to sell it. Do just whatever you think best under the circumstances. If the affair can be settled honorably by letting P. John have the corn, all right, and if he attempts to make trouble about it, I want you to enter suit against him for the corn he has taken and Garnish the money in King's hands for the pay or the corn and the maintenance of the suit. But if he will come up and act the man and do me justice, give him a chance and if not take the start of him in the suit. See King and so the best you can and see that Patterson gets the money that I failed to get in Salem. If it can't be had there in a week write and let me know and I will send it down from here. Write soon and let me know how things are prospering about that corn. Prince is all right. I got along finely with him on the Boat. He made friends of all the sick hands on the Boat. No more at Present, but remain as ever yours.

E.B. Doane.

This letter indicates that young Lieutenant Doane was very much a man of his era--eager, ambitious, somewhat quarrelsome, and sentimental, particularly over his horse, who was a pet, not a beast of burden. His proposed lawsuit further shows how little Quaker principles affected him--Friends did not enter suits at law.

On September 30th, Colonel Dorr officially mustered in the eighth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry in Davenport, Iowa. Two weeks later E.B. Doane's new unit moved by rail to Louisville, Kentucky. It was his first experience in command of a company. Capt. Root was absent Oct. 16-31st, and E.B. Doane replaced him without difficulties of any kind. On November 4th the 8th Iowa began the march south to Nashville, a journey of almost two weeks through country badly devastated by war. They were to escort a heavy forage train and the First Kansas battery (old comrades-in-arms from Prairie Grove battlefield). All were in fine spirits. Indeed, some had too many spirits and were more than mildly intoxicated. As it happened, the Quartermaster of the 8th Iowa become a little drowsy and decide to take a short nap just off the road. Unfortunately for him, he did not awake before the last wagons and the rear guard had passed far down the dusty road. His first sight on regaining his faculties was of a tough and ragged group of Confederate guerrillas who had been trailing the larger Union force and had spotted him dozing in the grass. They stripped him of weapons and clothing, brought out a rope and threatened to hang him unless he informed them about the unit's strength and destination. He told them what they wanted and they turned him loose, naked and horseless, to make his was to the camp. Captain Root said, "We had quite a gay time over his returning in the plight he was."

Later, some persons objected to the veracity of this account, but Captain Root affirmed that it was the truth, and accompanied his letter with an affidavit signed by several officers, among whom was E.B. Doane (sic).

Late in November the unit received its carbines, so the men expected to go south immediately. Instead of this, the 8th Iowa was assigned to guard the communication lines west of Nashville. This was an important and dangerous duty, but hardly glamorous. Without doubt, the men grumbled. Wars, however, are not won by raw courage alone. Food, ammunition, medicine must be available to the troops at all times and in spite of all difficulties. Hundreds of thousands of men labored to bring supplies to the battlefront. Every case of biscuits, every canister of shot was loaded and unloaded onto a succession of wagons, steamers, trains and mules until it arrived at its destination hundreds of miles away, perhaps unusable because of mishandling somewhere along the line. The problem of bringing supplies to the Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga was almost insuperable. Major battles had been fought at Shiloh and Corinth to occupy the Tennessee Valley, but the Tennessee river remained closed to steamers in its upper reaches. The only remaining route was through Nashville along the rail line, and that route was uncertain. It was fairly safe south of Nashville, thanks to the large numbers of Union troops; to the north the Confederate guerrilla forces had almost stopped traffic on the Louisville and Nashville R. R. That would not be serious if the Cumberland River had been navigable year around, but low water made the Harpeth shoals and other points impassible. If the army was to be maintained at Chattanooga, a new route had to be opened. Army engineers chose to finish a spur of the Memphis-Nashville railroad from Nashville to Waverly and add a short to a landing on the Tennessee River at Johnsonville. Thus supplies could be shipped from Paducah to Johnsonville by steamer, and then loaded onto trains and sent to the great arsenals at Nashville for transhipment south. Of course, this attracted Confederate attention, and soon the rebels were recruiting guerrillas and infiltrating units to attack and destroy the supply route. This was the reason the Eighth Iowa was stationed along the rail-line, to protect the major supply route of the army.

Col. Dorr divided his command, placing the three battalions approximately thirty miles apart along the railway. He broke up the First Kansas Battery among the battalions, two guns to each, for additional firepower. E.B. Doane's 2nd battalion was stationed thirty miles west of Nashville. Most attention, however, was centered on Waverly, where Col. Dorr established his headquarters.

One cavalryman wrote home:

Our battalion (the 1st) have invited themselves to spend some time, perhaps the winter, with the good people of this place. If our sensibilities had not been blunted by soldiering we might have thought we were not very welcome guests, for our reception was not very cordial. They used very abusive epithet to the men; said we had just come to plunder them and destroy their property, and that their gallant defenders would not permit us to hold the town many days. By the way, the only manifestation of the presence of the aforesaid "gallant defenders" we have had is when under the cover of darkness they have concealed themselves and fired on our pickets, but we wouldn't take the hint, and we stayed.

This is the county seat of Humphies county, and at the commencement of the war was in flourishing condition, but like every other Southern town, is reaping the fruit of secession... There has never been any Union troops here before, and the inhabitants have very appropriately named it the "Rebel Heaven". Here they have met and organized their plundering expeditions with perfect safety, for there were no Federal troops closer than Fort Donelson, and when forced to retreat from other parts of the State, have come here for protection... Almost daily Col. Dorr has companies out scouring the country in all direction. The good results of this system are already manifesting themselves. Every day the town is crowded with citizens. Nothing more is required of those who have never aided the rebellion than taking the oath, but the others are placed under heavy bond, and as they all have property in this immediate vicinity, their bonds can be depended upon.³⁹

Because of the constant patrolling and the large number of guerrilla forces, it was not long before E.B. Doane saw combat. His commander, Captain Root, described a "picket fight we had on the 7th in".⁴⁰

It having been ascertained by an intelligent contraband that came into camp about 5 o'clock on the 7th, that there was a band of guerrillas hovering around our camp, it being too late in the day to send a force (sic) out after them, Maj. Thompson in command, concluded to strengthen the outposts and keep a sharp lookout for them. Orders were given for every man to sleep on his arms, to be ready in case of attack. Sure enough just about eleven o'clock Post No. 1 and No. 2 were attacked by a superior force. It being dark it was very hard to tell their number. Receiving orders to ascertain the strength of the enemy if possible, I rode to Post No. 2 ,as the fighting appeared to be the heaviest at that Post. It soon became apparent that their intention was to destroy the railroad. Having ordered 25 men to dismount, they were thrown forward, when a general fight ensued for two or three hours. The rebels having superior numbers drove us across the railroad. Then with a dash we would drive them back, keeping the road clear. It being too hot for them after trying at three different points to destroy the tracks and failing to do so, they beat a hasty retreat, carrying off their wounded, leaving their dead on the field.

Casualties on our side, Lt. E.B. Doane, flesh wound in the face, slight...Lt. Doane was the officer of the guard or picket, and was at Post No. 2, where the fighting commenced and it was through his daring and bravery that the Post was held until reinforced...

E.B. Doane wrote to the Keokuk editor:⁴¹ 

Mr. J.B. Howell, 

If agreeable with you, I propose through your columns to inform the home friends of Co. E, of a little Christmas scout we have been having after some of our guerilla friends. We were out five days, subsisting both men and horses off the wealthy secesh farmers pointed out to us by our guide, and we fared well too. Our scout was in the direction of the Tennessee river, principally on the waters of the Piny and Duck rivers. We had one engagement resulting in the rout of the noted Col. Hawkins and staff, the capture of four Captains and nine men, one man killed and another (like the swine of which we read,)⁴² ran down into the river and drowned. The enemy brought on the engagement by firing from ambuscade a volley into the front of our columns, shooting Captain Root through the hat, which they supposed would check our advance until by a running fight and the speed of their horses they could escape. But they found to their sorrow that it took more than a volley of revolver shot to check Captain Root and his column. I can hardly believe a volley of grape and canister would have done it. For every one charged directly upon them, yelling like so many demons. Those guerrillas are choice men, mounted on number one horses and armed to the teeth. Their business is to plunder and abuse Union citizens and harass our advance by dashes and daring raids, and destroying bridges, railroads and supply trains. And it is only by constant and rapid scouting that they can be kept out.

For a week past we have been visited with snow and cold weather. But prior to that it had been remarkably warm and rainy. The health of the Company is good, and the entire Regiment seems to be blest in this particular. Deserters are coming in almost daily. The late Proclamation of Amnesty by the President will take half the men out of the rebel ranks, especially near the front. We have reliable information that the enemy can no longer depend on a picket, which is certainly a bold indication that they are fast playing out. As fast as the main line is moved to the front the railroad is being pushed forward too, principally by black labor. Thus, instead of "Sambo" supporting the rebel army, he is helping get it forward to us. Respectfully,

E.B.D.

  One Kansan stationed with E.B. Doane's battalion described the miserable weather: 

The winter of 1863-'64 was noted as a cold one, breaking all records. The little creek known as Sullivans Branch, twenty-six miles from Nashville, upon which we camped, was frozen almost solid. At this camp, although in daily communication by rail with the great depots of supplies at Nashville, we suffered the greatest hardship experienced during our entire army life, because of the villainous character of the rations furnished us. These rations consisted solely of salt pork-the lean streaks between the solid fat portions having in many instances turned green-hard-tack, sugar and coffee. In consequences of this meager diet I acquired a severe attack of scurvy...⁴³ 

In such scattered fights, the 8th Iowa captured over five hundred guerrillas.⁴⁴ But it was difficult and tedious warfare.⁴⁵ The winter was severe and supplies were scarce, and there was no decisive fighting because each army was preparing for the renewal of offensive operations in the spring.⁴⁶ Men were tired and lonesome. E.B. Doane wrote:

Dearest Amelia: 

(For to me you are certainly the Dearest on earth). Your very acceptable letter was received today and it did more good than anything I have seen or read since I have been out. It found way to hidden affection, that I knew not of and if I loved you before, I cherish and almost adore you now as the hope of my coming happiness.

The prayer and affection of a Christian Lady to the mind, affection and character of a lonely Soldier is like the soft distilling dew or a gentle shower of rain to the drooping bud. With regard to my affectionate heart perhaps I would have had an affectionate one if those finer feelings had been cultivated as they should have been when I was younger. But I feel that they were blighted in the loss of a tender mother when I was quite young, hence with no one to nourish and cherish those finer senses they remained a mere-------until I was old and large enough to begin to think about loving some one as partner for life. And now I feel (as doubtless you have noticed ere this) that I greatly need those feelings nourished and cherished by some faithful and affectionate friend. Yet as far as my feelings of affection extend, you shall enjoy with pleasure to me. I received a letter from a certain young lady⁴⁷ who stated that she was at the festival at Sharon Church and saw my old lover there. I also had a letter from Mr. Maris hinting as though he wanted to know something. My Health is better. Health is generally good and the weathers fine. Farmers are ploughing. This State holds an election next week to reorganize the State Government. The Army at the Front is advancing and I expect we'll go there soon. Wish I had been home as you heard. I will come if (I) can. But don't look until you see me coming. That is a nice rose. I'll keep it as a token of love from a Dear one. I said I was better, but I am Love sick and I expect that will make me homesick. I really feel that I am blest in having such a Friend as you to write me such good kind letters. I am glad they held the Meeting and had the dinner at the Church. If a Meeting indicative of Friendship and regard for the Soldiers who are fighting not only for the preservation of our Government but in defense of Religious liberty and the right of a free people to Govern themselves is not worthy of a place in the Altar even of Paradise, then we had better sheath the Sword and prepare for an Eternal abode in Despair. If there is anything I detest it is a base Copperhead that's too mean to protect the country that has protected him and really made him what he is and gives him the positions he now holds and too cowardly to go and fight for what he advocates. Oh, But there is a time coming when such men will wish to God this had been a blank in their lives. I have more respect for the Enemy who meets me in deadly conflict than one of those white livered fellows. But I've said too much on this, yet I feel it and if I had my way they would have to leave the country for want of associates.⁴⁸ When I come home we'll have a nice horseback ride. Your little Horse looks fine. I don't ride him much. It's too nice to kill up in this country. I shall have to close. Its time for dress parade, with many warm wishes for your comfort and enjoyment and hoping to hear from you... I remain your true and sincere friend.

E.B.Doane⁴⁹

  Unknown to him, his brother Ithamar had died just the day before. Ithamar, a year younger than Eleazar, had remained in the 19th Iowa Infantry, which had taken part in the siege at Vicksburg, and then gone on to New Orleans. Sometime that summer he fell ill, and on September 8, 1863, he wrote home that he was in the regimental hospital. "I am quite weak but able to walk about the house some and sit up about half the day. I have had the Diareah nearly all the time since I came down the River and then I took the Fever. It has been the hardest spell I ever had...There is still a good deal of sickness here." Several months later, the entire time spent languishing in the hospital, he was furloughed home. The trip was too exhausting, however, and he died in Salem, Iowa, February 25, 1864, one week after his return. The medical report listed cause of death as chronic diarrhea. Eleazar would learn of Ithamar's fate within a few weeks. The news could only have increased his hatred of the South's rebellion.⁵⁰

However passionately one may grieve, one cannot exist on hatred, and the Iowa cavlarymen were kept busy to prevent their brooding on death.What did the troops of the 8th Iowa do? The same as in any army: real and artificial business (drills, scouting, guard duty), reading papers, writing letters, and talking. Politics was an impassioned subject. Captain Root wrote home: 

I see by the papers that the Presidential campaign has fairly commenced-all the soldiers ask for is for the Union party at home to stand by OLD ABE, as we think he is the man, and the only man to place in the Presidential chair at this critical time. But let it be Lincoln or any other man, all we want is a man that will carry out the present policy of the government, and woe be to that man or party that dare say peace till the proud flag of our country floats over every rebel strong-hold, and those miserable traitors that have been the means of all this unholy war suffer to the fullest extent for their crimes.⁵¹

His attitude was undoubtedly shared by E.B. Doane.

Early in March General Grant was promoted to command all the armies of the North and left for the east. General William Tecumseh Sherman assumed command of the Army of the West with orders to press on to Atlanta against Johnston's Confederate forces. To relieve the overworked supply system, the Union forces stripped themselves of all but the most necessary gear and reassembled at Chattanooga and Cleveland prepared to press south along the rail lines toward the Confederate position at Dalton. E.B. Doane's unit rode to Nashville on March 14 and was assigned to McCook's First Cavalry Division. The duties of the cavalry were to provide a screen along the front and flanks of the advance and to disrupt the enemy position as much as possible. Over one-hundred thousand men began to move south.⁵² E.B. Doane saw this as an opportunity for advancement. On April 5th he had been promoted to Captain of Co. E.⁵³ He wrote to his fiancee: 

Dearest Amelia, 

Tonight I was favored with your highly prized Epistle of the 30th. I was truly glad to hear from you, for I think of you often, quite anxiously too. I wish I could interest you better, but I am tired and in a hurry, and can't write much this time. We have been on the March ten days and will go on to Cleveland 30 miles east of here. We are camped at the foot of Missionary Ridge over which the Battle was fought. Today we crossed the front of Lookout Mountain. We have been rained on every day since we left Nashville and have had a very rough road. The road across the Cumberland Mountains was so hard that we walked and led our horses and then walked back and carried our things that were in the wagons. Three of our wagons were broken to pieces crossing. There are a number of troops coming to the front now and I expect something is to be done soon. The enemy is in line about 20 miles from here. But if they couldn't hold the position they had here, I don't think they can any other. I send you Lt. Anderson's photograph. He is 2nd Lt. of our Co. and I'll send on of Capt. Root's if I can get it. Give mother & father my respects & to the rest of the family too, and tell Mary Jane I'll bring her a Bear again on the 4th of July. I guess I'll hardly forget that Exhibition or that night or the one I was with soon either.

I'm sure your letters are not lacking in interest. I'm glad you are enjoying yourself so well. I hope the time not far distant when I can see you again, Dear. I am well. Capt. Welder has returned. Please write soon and accept the warmest wishes of your Friend and Lover,

E. B. Doane⁵⁴

There had been some illness and some dissension among the officers regarding discipline, which resulted in the resignation of several officers of the Eighth Iowa,⁵⁵ but neither the efficiency not the morale of the unit was seriously affected. One cavalryman wrote home: 

We had quite a gay time on the road from Nashville. The roads were very bad, and would have been considered impassible for anything but a Government train, which may go through, though at the sacrifice of the lives of many animals. I don't think I would be exaggerating to say that I saw the bodies of two thousand dead horses and mules on the road.⁵⁶ 

From May 7, 1864, the day Sherman began his offensive into Georgia, to July 30th, the 8th Iowa was in continual combat.⁵⁷ On May 9th the Iowa men were involved in a running fight with Confederate cavalry while screening Sherman's march across some difficult mountain terrain toward Dalton. This outflanking maneuver forced the Confederates to pull back across the Oostanaula River. Sherman then outflanked the defensive positions there as well. As Sherman pressed south through the mountainous and unmarked country into the relatively open land north of the Etowah, he scattered his troops along several lines of advance, looking for Confederate weak points. Although this seemed risky, tempting his opponent to stage an ambush or counter-offensive, Sherman could rely on his experienced commanders to exercise a combination of boldness and caution which would appeared only rarely earlier in the war. By now the Union officers were proficient in their performance of duty; moreover, unlike many officers in the Army of the Potomac, they were accustomed to victory and, therefore, confident in their ability to carry out the most difficult and hazardous of assignments. Sherman was seeking a fight. The opposing commander, General Johnston, in contrast, was determined to avoid any engagement which did not promise a major victory at relative low risk. He could not afford to have his army worn down by repeated battles, as Lee was experiencing against Grant; he had to preserve his troops for that moment when Sherman made a mistake, or until Sherman's supply lines became so long that most of his troops were tied down protecting them. Nevertheless, he knew that his army's morale was suffering from the repeated retreats. At Cassville, tempted by Sherman's provocative and aggressive advances, Johnston sought to destroy one wing of the Union army by concentrating his entire force against it. No decisive battle took place, but there was a spirited engagement with Union cavalry. The 8th Iowa and Major Root were cited for distinguished conduct in their charge upon the Confederate flank. The next day Johnston withdrew further south and the union troops occupied the abandoned trenches.⁵⁸

By now the respective strategies of the two commanders was clear. Sherman wanted a battle in the open so as to destroy the Confederate army. But he would not assault prepared positions. That would be an unimaginative use of his superiority in manpower, probably too costly, and most likely ineffective. Instead, whenever he encountered trenches, he would have some troops dig in opposite, so that the Confederates would have to be ready to meet a direct assault; with the rest of his army he would move laterally, outflank the fixed positions and force the enemy to choose between a pitched battle on open land or retreat. Johnston, on the other hand, had too few troops to fight that kind of battle. Each time he was faced with such a choice, he retreated, hoping the extended northern supply lines would require more garrison troops and reduce ever more the actual combat forces opposed to him. Meanwhile, he was gathering reinforcements in such numbers as to almost equal the Union army, though the North Georgia militiamen were relatively untrained, often pro-Union, and always eager to go home. At every strong point Johnston prepared elaborate defenses, such as could bleed Sherman's forces to death if attacked. From Cassville he fell back to Marietta, where he prepared to make another stand along the railroad line to Atlanta.

Sherman ordered an advance on Dallas, outflanking the enemy position at Marietta. That involved a daring move overland, away from the supplies brought by rail, so each man was instructed to carry his own rations and equipment. On May 22nd, the cavalry led the way, McCook's division (and the 8th Iowa) again in the lead. Two days later E. B. Doane's unit charged and routed a superior force at Burnt Hickory. The following day, May 25th, there was a sharp combat at New Hope Church near Dallas. There Lt. Anderson took a rebel battery and held it several hours against desperate counterattacks before being ordered to withdraw.⁵⁹

  Both armies then entrenched themselves. These defensive works were constructed on these principles: 

The general...determined the most available line for defense, and directed brigade commanders to form their troops upon it, following the outline of the ground and making such angles, salient or re-entrant as it required. The skirmish line was kept in front, the rest stacked arms a few paces in rear of the intended place for the breastwork, entrenching tools were taken from the wagons that accompanied the ammunition train, and each company was ordered to cover its own front. Trees were felled and trimmed, and the logs, often two feet thick, rolled into line. The timber revetment was usually four feet high, and the earth thrown from the ditch in front varied in thickness according to the exposure.⁶⁰ 

The Eighth Iowa held a line one and one-half miles in length until July 1.⁶¹ But E. B. Doane was not present when the army moved south again. The greatest danger and cause of most loss of life in the war was not battle, but disease. Epidemics ran through entire armies and hospital facilities was completely inadequate. On June 20th E. B. Doane was overcome by illness. He relinquished his command, but remained with his company until ordered to the hospital by the surgeon. He was taken to Ackworth, Georgia, and three or four days later was evacuated along the railroad to an Officers Hospital in Nashville.⁶² From Nashville he wrote: 

Miss Amelia: 

Dearest Friend. Today I feel better and more like writing you. But I can't write a good letter yet. I've been improving considerably. Yesterday I rode (in a carriage) down town, but it was a big job. The weather is quite warm. I wish I could get a leave of absence a few days when I get stronger. Which I may do. But I think it uncertain. But it won't be my fault if I don't. I've had no mail since I came here. I shall look anxiously for a letter from you in few days. I expect there's some at the Regt. I have sent for it. But it may be sometime before it come and it may not come at all.

We still have encouraging news from the front. I'm so sorry that I'm sick now when there is such a good chance to distinguish ones self and gain a better position. If I could have had good health and come through this campaign safe I would have made a Field Officer easily. You need not be surprised if I get it anyway. I've worked hard for it and ran a great many narrow risks. I know I've earned it well. And if they don't promote me to it soon, I guess I'll come home to my Amelia Dear!! Will that be right? There are wounded and sick coming in every day from the front. Several of my co. are in the Hospital back about town wounded and some severely, too. But I've been unable to go and see them yet. I think I shall try it soon though.

I learn that Mrs. Spurries, an old Schoolmate of mine and classmate too (at Mr. Howes) is teaching at Primrose. Have you become acquainted with her yet? She was (portion damaged) to a soldier home on Recruiting Service. He too is a schoolmate of mine. He is in the 14th Infty. I still get a letter from Mr. Maris occasionally. He likes to talk Patriotism better that act it, I think. How do you enjoy your school? Are you going to have a fine celebration on the 4th? The Potomac Army is to celebrate the 4th in Richmond and the Georgia Army in Atlanta. I wish I could help do it. And the next 4th with (portion damaged). Won't that be nice? Please write soon. Direct to Capt. E. B. Doane, Officers Hospital, Nashville, Tenn., leaving off the Co. and Regt. or else it will go on to the Regt. With many warm wishes for your enjoyment and well being I bid you Good Bye.

Your Affectionate Friend

E. B. Doane⁶³ 

A month later he was still in Nashville, but he was much healthier. He wrote home: 

Dear Brother and Sister, 

Today I received your welcome and interesting letter of the 10th & 13th Isnt. I was truly pleased to hear from you and to know that you were well. I would indeed like to come home for awhile and if I had known that I would not have been able for duty before this I should have come. But now I shall go to the Front soon, in about a week I think. I am not well, but I won't live here. I am better though, and think by taking good care of myself Ill get along. Governor Stone was here today and will go to the Front soon.⁶⁴ Perhaps I'll go down with him. I'm glad that money go through safe. I sent 100 dollars more. It was a check on New York Bank. I sent it in a letter. Please write as soon as you get it for I'm uneasy about it. If it's lost I can get another one here before I leave. When you write again tell me how much corn and so forth you had and whether all the farm was cultivated or not. I've only had one or two letters from you yet. I expect that others are at the Regt. Capt. Hoxie of the 8th was married here today. His Lady came from Vermont. I was at the wedding. I had a letter from Franklin today. He is well and at Kingston, Ga. and says my horse are doing well. Is your school a good one and what do you study? Try and go all you can and every day this winter. Please write soon and often direct as before until I write to change it. Tell Father to write soon. Give my respects to all.⁶⁵ 

Meanwhile, Sherman had moved past the strong Confederate positions at Marietta and Kenesaw, forcing Johnston to withdraw across the Chattahoochee River. The 8th Iowa was the first cavalry unit to cross the river in pursuit.

Sherman planned to continue his advance south by outflanking the carefully prepared entrenchments, just as he had done so many time previously. This policy had been so successful that his opponent, General Johnston, was in trouble because of his alleged excessive caution. The Confederate high command finally replaced Johnston with Hood, an impulsive gambler, who launched a series of attacks against the Union forces. The 8th Iowa camp was attacked on July 23rd and 27th, about the time E. B. Doane returned.⁶⁶ The rebel attacks were all failures and the hard-pressed southern army so weakened that Johnston was reinstated in command

Sherman resumed his flanking movements. His intention was to force the enemy to commit so many troops to permanent defenses that either they would be spread too thin to hold the line or would have to fight to prevent him from surrounding them. To further harass the overcommitted Confederate forces he ordered General McCook to raid the enemy rear, disrupt communications and draw troops away from Atlanta.⁶⁷ One member of Company E described the raid: 

Our regiment numbering tow hundred and ninety men, (the remainder being dismounted and in camp at Kingston, Ga.), in company with the remainder of our division, started on the 27th ultimo to make a raid through central Georgia.

We crossed the Chattahoochee River to the west side and moved down about twenty miles, to Cameltown. We recrossed the river on the morning of the 28th and struck the Atlanta and West Point Railroad, at Palmetto Station.--We destroyed several miles of the road at this placed, after which we pushed forward with great rapidity toward the Atlanta and Macon road, which we reached on the morning of the 29th; destroying while en route, over eight hundred wagons loaded with Government Stores.--The mules were sabered, as we were unable to take them with the command.

On arriving at McDonald's Station on the railroad, Major Root was ordered out with a portion of the 8th Iowa, and succeeded in capturing and burning a train loaded with Tobacco, Lard and Arms.CThe tobacco alone was estimated at one hundred and twenty thousand dollars.CAfter effectually destroying several miles of the road, the command proceeded to return.

When but a short distance from the road our column was attacked by a heavy force of rebel cavalry, and the 1st brigade was entirely cut off. Major Root was ordered to take the 8th Iowa and charge to open communications.

The men charged with revolvers, and a desperate hand to hand fight ensued, but they were finally driven back.

Twice they charged, and twice were they pushed back, by an overwhelming force. The Major's horse was killed in the first charge, and he received a severe injury in his right shoulder, nevertheless he was not found wanting when the second charge was to be made.

General McCook came up with the 2nd brigade, and succeeded in cutting thro' and the command moved rapidly toward the river, and reached Newman's Station on the morning of the 30th. Here the 4th Ky. was attacked and two companies were captured. We soon found that the enemy had a heavy force in our front and on our flanks. The division was halted and the forces so disposed as to deceive the enemy. Our regiment was ordered as skirmishers and to discover the position and strength of the enemy; we found the enemy endeavoring to surround our force; his line at that time running in the shape of a horse-shoe, the opening being toward the south, and that their forces consisted of cavalry and two brigades of infantry. The engagement soon became general along our whole line; the enemy making repeated charges, and were as often repulsed.

Major Root was then ordered to mount his command, and charge down the road leading to the river. He moved his command back and advanced cautiously down the road until within sight of the enemy, and then ordered a charge. The boys soon found themselves confronted by Ross's brigade of Texas Rangers; but nothing daunted, they dashed into their lines and drove them back, compelling then to abandon their horses, as they were dismounted at the time, and captured over five hundred horses, and finally succeeded in clearing the road; but they were closely pressed by superior numbers, and the Major dispatched three different orderlies for reinforcements, but not one got through. Seeing that his command was being cut off, the Maj. ordered the men to cut their way back. In doing so the Maj. with two commissioned officers and ten men were cut off and captured, but seeing a party under Gen. McCook forcing their way out, and not relishing the prospects of sharing a Southern prison during the remainder of the summer, they made a sudden dash and escaped from their captors...Only sixteen of our regiment have come in to this dateCthe remainder have undoubtedly been killed or taken prisoners.⁶⁸ 

J.B. Downer saw it a little differently: 

After nearly two days of hard fighting in which our regiment was continually engaged and much of that time in close hand to hand combat, we were overpowered, surrounded by superior force and most of the men and officers then present captured. Too much praise cannot be awarded to our brave and gallant Colonel, who being wounded in the first days fight did not leave his saddle, but still continued to lead and urge his men forward, and though afterward confined to the ambulance, he again took his horse the second day and staid (sic) with his men. The fight was sharp and spirited as we were fighting Texas rangers; the best and most daring soldiers of the South, who all admitted that they never saw such cavalry fighting nor such determined charges. Many of our men fell but we think many more of theirs. After being captured we were taken to Andersonville prison some sixty miles south of Macon...⁶⁹ 

E. B. Doane had commanded his company for five days and nights without sleep.⁷⁰ Then his regiment was sacrificed so that the remainder of the raiding force could escape. Colonel Dorr described this: 

In this engagement, which was of the severest character, the men and officers of the English behaved with a gallantry and steadiness which drew from General McCook a public compliment on the battlefield. As on the days before there will be few exceptions to this, while there were many instances of great gallantry displayed. Major John H. Isett, Captain P. C. Morhiser, Captain (now Major) Shotry, who was desperately wounded, Captain James W. Moore, Captain E. B. Doane...are fairly entitled to mention for coolness and good conduct under very trying circumstances.⁷¹ 

General McCook said, "Whatever of disaster occurred was by the inevitable fortune of war or chargeable to some other bond, and was not for want of fidelity or gallantry on the post of the officers or men under my command.⁷² E. B. Doane wrote home as soon as he could: 

Dear Friend Amelia,

I, with almost the entire mounted portion of the Regt. was captured on the 30th after three desperate charges, suffered severely. Twenty of my Co. are prisoner, two wounded, and three missing. Both of my Lts. are prisoner & Lt. Reese wounded. Col. Dorr is wounded and a prisoner. Maj. Root I think escaped. I feel pretty well as far as health is concerned. We expect to be sent to Charleston or Savannah tomorrow. Please direct to me a Prisoner of War at Savannah with this stamp on it, directed to Commissioner of Exchange, Fortress Monroe, Va., For Flag of Truce. We can't write much. With many warm wishes for your enjoyment and well being. I am truly your Friend.

E. B. Doane, Capt. Co. C, 8th Iowa Cav.⁷³

The next day he wrote again: 

Dear Friend Amelia,

We arrived here this morning (Cwas seized) for Exchange. But I have little faith in it yet while not much before Christmas, although it may be in a few days. Nearly all the mounted part of the Regt. was captured on the 30th after losing severely and being entirely cut off. Col. Dorr is wounded & a Pris. Maj. Root I think escaped. I have one Lt. and two men wounded & pris. Two men missing, one Lt. (I believe), 18 well men Pris. I am feeling quite well now. Hope I may still be blessed in that respect for disease is all that I fear at present. Although confinement is by no means pleasant. Capt Walders and I occupy one room 6 and 8 ft. & the privilege of a hall & walk way in the day time. Please direct to me a Pris. of War at this place with this stamp on it inside, & inclose it in another envelope with a U. S. stamp on it directed to Commissioner of Exchange, Fortress Monroe, for Flag of Truce. We can't write much. Nothing Contraband. The weather here is more pleasant than I expected. Please write soon & accept the warmest wishes of your Friend. 

E. B. Doane

I had only been with the Regt. two days before captured. Rather short campaign, the last. Nothing but Officers are here. The men are at Anderson. I saved your photo. But the Ambrotype in my bolise is give up.⁷⁴ 

The prison in Charleston was not as bad as in Andersonville, which was a veritable death-house, but there was a lack of room, food, and sanitary facilities. Disease struck weakened men, and many never recovered from their experience. E. B. Doane's comrades were soon exchanged and back in the field, but he was not among them.⁷⁵ He had already made his first attempt to escape and had been assigned to fifty days of hard labor in Charleston. Probably the prisoners were forced to prepare fortifications, because once he came under battery fire, presumably from the Union forces besieging the city.⁷⁶ By October 22nd he had been transferred to Columbia, South Carolina. On that day he wrote: 

  C. S. Military Prison, Camp Columbia. S. C.

Col. Woodford, Agt. Exchange

Col. Woodford,

I would most respectfully ask that you send me duplicate Pay Acts and Power of Attorney that I may one months pay from Paymaster in Genl. Master's Dept. I am very much in need of the funds as I was captured with but little means and that having now exhausted.

I am Col.

Most Respectfully

Your Obent. Servt.

E. B. Doane⁷⁷

Capt. Co. E. 8th Iowa Cav. 

This letter was not even received until December 24th. Although blank pay accounts were sent within three days, there is no notice that he ever received them. Hardpressed by lack of money, E. B. Doane's health began to suffer. He contracted scurvy and chronic diarrhea, and it is of considerable credit to his fortitude and determination that he persisted in his unsuccessful attempt to escape. Now not only the vigilance of the guards and the hostility of the populace opposed him, but also the infirmity of his own body. He succeeded nonetheless. His fifth attempt, on February 14, 1865, brought him to freedom.⁷⁸ The feat was dangerous, but not exceptional. The Confederate Assistant Adjutant General reported: 

The camp is a large one, in fact much too large for the number of prisoners confined (hence they have made themselves very uncomfortable), which requires a much larger guard than is necessary. Prisoners are constantly escaping during the dark nights. Five escaped the night before I arrived.⁷⁹ 

By December the local newspapers were complaining that escaped Yankees were "thronging the country to the great annoyance of the citizenry."⁸⁰ Shortly after his successful flight, the entire body of prisoners was moved away; he had fled just in time, but apparently the jailers had little more success in the new location. That was no longer E. B. Doane's concern however; he made his way through enemy territory to Union lines, determined to rejoin his outfit. Within a few weeks he was returned to Tennessee under orders: 

Captain E. B. Doane, 8th Iowa Cav., and escaped prisoner, will proceed to Nashville, Tenn. and report to Head Quarters, Department of the Cumberland for further orders. Dept. will furnish the necessary transportation.⁸¹ 

At Nashville the Adjutant General issued further orders: 

1 leave of absence for Thirty (30) days to date from time of leaving Department, is hereby granted to Capt. E. B. Doane 8th Iowa Cavly.⁸²  

Within two weeks he had returned to Iowa, and there on April 27, 1865, he was married to Amelia Cahill by the Rev. William Wall in Primrose.⁸³ Presumably family members were in attendance and many neighborhood friends.

E. B. and Amelia Doane were to have a short honeymoon. He probably had decided to return to combat before he reached Iowa. Not only was his unit still involved in combat (and now on the famous Wilson Raid, two months behind enemy lines),⁸⁴ but on April 15th he and every American was shocked by the assassination of President Lincoln. His friend H. T. Bird wrote, "the news of the assassination of President Lincoln was received with much sorrow and regret. Every soldier looked up to him as being almost a supernatural being and we all believe that no man could have carried the old Ship of State through such a perilous storm with more honor than he."⁸⁵ E. B. Doane left for Georgia about the beginning of June.

Unknown to him his friends in the 8th Iowa had already provided for his discharge:

  Special Orders No. 372 WAR DEPARTMENT

Adjutant General's Office

Washington, July 15, 1865 

33. Under the provisions of general Orders, No. 82, May 6, 1865, from this office, Capt. E. B. Doane, 8th Iowa Cavalry, is hereby mustered out and honorably discharged the service of the United States, to take effect May 15, 1865, on account of his services being no longer required, and physical disability.⁸⁶ 

But these orders did not arrive in time to forestall his travel. No wonder his friends were surprised to see him, as he recounted in his first letter home:⁸⁷ 

Dear Wife, 

I reached here last evening and found the Boys all well and glad to see me. My arrival surprised them for they expected I would go out under the Order for all on leave to report to the Ajt. General of their State for muster out, which I wish I had done. The Boys are all in fine spirits. The entire stock of the Regt. is poor and worn down, not fit for service. Bit we are to move in a day or two. I know not where, but think toward the Coast along the line of R.R. The weather is quite warm and sultry. I expect to be mustered today. Maj. Root is commanding the Regt. Col. Moore of Co. C has been recommended for me. The old Stockade in which we were confined last summer is all burnt down. Capt. Burns of Co. A is Division Provost Marshall and had charge of the Prisoners at this place and when they reached here he marched them through all the principal streets of the city an into the old stockade just as they did last summer. The Rebs are completely whipped and played out and seem to be the most submissive and docile people I ever saw. I am feeling first rate and hope this will find well and happy. Please direct to Macon with the Co. and Regt. on and it will follow us. So Good Bye for this time. 

Your loving Husband

E. B. Doane 

  There was little for him to do. His company was engaged elsewhere, and in any case, the war was over. His enthusiasm cooled as his health deteriorated. Within a week he wrote the following request:

Macon, Ga.

June 23rd, 1865

Capt. E. P. Inhoff 

Sir,

I would most respectfully request that I be relieved from duty as Capt. Co. E 8th Iowa Vol Cav and ordered to report to Salem Iowa, to receive my muster out and discharge papers in obedience to enclose orders, 

I am Major

Very respectfully

Your Obt. Svt

E. B. Doane⁸⁸

Captain Co E 8th Iowa Cav

  On a doctor's recommendation he was mustered out and sent home. He returned to Iowa by rail, a journey of about a week's travel, and was discharged July 15, 1865.⁸⁹

  E. B. Doane was not as successful in civilian life as his friends and comrades-in-arms. Maj. Root commanded a colored brigade for a time, then became a United States Marshal, and later owner of the Brazelton House in Mount Pleasant⁹⁰ and an influential politician. W. I. Babb returned to school, and was elected to office in Lee County for many years thereafter. E. B. Doane returned to teaching, a profession increasingly dominated by women, but where learning brought high status to those men who devoted their lives to education. The professional skills were in great demand. Salem, a town of less that one thousand people, had two hundred and fifty students in the lower grades, and a high school of seventy-five students.⁹¹ Apparently children grew in Iowa even faster than the corn. However, the pay was low.

The Quaker interest in education, so important to the Doane family, manifested itself in the establishment of a college in Salem in the fall of 1867. Eleazar's father was among the earliest contributors to Whittier College, and undoubtedly Eleazar was an enthusiastic supporter of the venture. He was not a teacher there, however, and it is likely that his poor health had already forced him to seek a more invigorating livelihood.

Apparently E. B. Doane had returned to farming before the fall of 1869, because at that time a fight arose that he would not have avoided. The teachers' association in Henry County denounced the appointed Superintendent of Schools and proposed his replacement by S. L. Howe. One hundred and fifty teachers petitioned on behalf of the old abolitionist, saying "some of Iowa's noblest sons, and one or two of the Nations best men, have received the rudiments of their education under his immediate tutorship."⁹²

However, E. B. Doane seemed to have little interest in politics in the period immediately following the war. His health and the entrenched politicians may have kept him from attempting to exercise leadership, but he must have participated in the debates and hotly contested elections, inflamed as they were by deep emotional and philosophic divisions. In voting southeastern Iowa had remained in the Democratic column throughout the war, reflecting the sympathy for the South felt by many citizens. The boys in blue had marched away to war in such numbers that the Copperheads could agitate freely, from time to time even holding public meetings and disrupting pro-Union assemblies. Now the troops were home, and we know from his earlier letters how E. B. Doane felt about Copperheads: "If there is anything I detest is a base Copperhead...Oh, but there is a time coming when such men will wish to God this had been a blank in their lives."⁹³ The time had come.

The question of Negro suffrage brought the Copperheads and their racist sympathizers out in numbers in the fall of 1865; the Union men organized as well. The mass meeting in Keokuk was one of he largest in the history of the country,⁹⁴ but the Unionists carried the day only thanks to the majority further north. Banner headlines denouncing the Copperheads appeared in 1866, 1867, and 1868 as well, but each election resulted in Democratic victories over most of the country. How inflamed were these contests? Undoubtedly E. B. Doane attended this rally in Big Mound on October 20, 1868:⁹⁵

  Dear Gate:

This is the day and the place for the Grand Republican Rally of Northwestern Lee. Arriving at the spot, at 11 a.m., I found to my great satisfaction, that the people had not forgotten to rally; and that through the unconquerable energy of our esteemed friends, J. Coffindaffer, D. R. Heaton and others and the loyal ladies, all necessary arrangement had been perfected to receive and properly care for all who might attend: and that the hospitalities of the citizens of Big Mound and surrounding country were most cordially and generously extended to man and beast. Two towering liberty poles on either side of the road had been erected, and beautifully festooned with evergreens supporting a splendid emblem of our sovereignty, bearing upon its ample folds the names of the next president and vice-president of the United States; and with its warning lines of beauty, inspired each heart with faith in the ultimate success and triumph of Republicanism. Multitudes had already assembled, eager and anxious to hear the political issues of the hour discussed by the speakers billed for the occasion; and as far as the eye could reach, in every direction, crowds of people were still comingCsome in wagons, some as mounted Tanners,⁹⁶ some in carriages, others on boat, until, by noon, the crowds at the speakers stand had reached large proportions, and the universal exclamation was, "What - What's the matter!!" All conceded that it was by far the largest and most enthusiastic meeting of the campaign in old Lee up to this writing. No fair judge estimates the crowd at less than 3000 souls.

One of the most noticeable features of the meeting and procession was a tastefully decorated chariot, drawn by six fine specimens of horses, and filled with thirty-seven blooming maidens, named after each state. Petroleum V. Nasby, P. M. "which is post-master," was there, with an old rickety buggy, and a horse with one foot in the grave, and the other ought to have been there; with a tall stove pipe hat, which looked like it had gone through all the wars, and in the awful fix of the "Democracy," pretty well "busted up;" labeled so that all could read, "Do you want your daughters to marry niggers?" and fastened to the seat of his dilapidated vehicle, with the Democratic platform, and labeled in large capital, "Equal Taxation."

I need not say this unique picture created a sensation, and that the few "Dimmycrats" in attendance were strongly inclined to keep Nasby company, owing to the talismanic power of a certain pig heretofore alluded to.

A rich and splendid repast was spread on tables erected in Bro. Coffindaffer's yard, (Who by the way is entitled to special mention for his zealous efforts in the Republic cause.) The tables fairly groaned under the luxuries and substantials, but were soon relieved by from 350 to 400 Tanners, who partook of dinner and supper, with joyous faces and grateful hearts, attesting their appreciation by cheer after cheer for the good ladies of Big Mound and vicinity.

At the call of the vast concourse of men and women, Col. Leighton came forward and made one of the most humorous, mirth-provoking speeches it has ever been my good fortune to hear-keeping every one for nearly and hour in the laughing mood.

He paid a just tribute to our Congressional standard-bearer, and reviewed in denunciatory terms his competitor-the poor old silly Maryland carpet-bagger, alias Tom Clagett, who imagines that he is a candidate for Congress. Col. Leighton believes that "a little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men." At the conclusion of his happy effort, and whilst the immense concourse of people were still smiling audibly, the President introduced Gov. Stone, who at once proceeded to make one of the most powerful and logical speeches ever delivered to the State. His scathing and withering denunciations of the modern Democracy elicited round after round of rapturous applause, and stamped him as one of the ablest men in the nation. His triumphant vindication of republican principles, and his condemnation of copperhead doctrines, were fully appreciated by his auditors, and will bear rich fruits on November 3rd, 1868. The meeting, with all its concomitants was all that any lover of freedom and good government could wish.

Agate

  But the Tanners could not prevail over their Lee county opponents. The defeat in `68 was particularly galling, especially since the incumbent officials seemed more interested in protecting their own interests than in presenting their constituency. By the late summer of 1869 there were calls for new blood in the party, and a purge of corruption.⁹⁷ E. B. Doane presented himself that September in Charlestown as delegate from Cedar Township to the County Convention. On the Committee for Resolutions, he helped draft the following statement: 

Resolved, That the resolution of the State Republican platform, against excessive taxation, extravagance in expenditure, and in favor of employing the surplus funds of the State Treasury to carry on the State Administration, economically administered, and to collect only the minimum of taxation required for this and no other purpose, meets our hearty concurrence. Resolved, That by resolution we understand that the Republican party of Iowa pledged itself unequivocally against building a new State House at this time; and that we ask our members of the General Assembly to be governed by that pledge. Resolved, That the unparalleled extravagance of expenditure in the county administration of Lee county calls imperatively for prompt and thorough reform; that for this extravagance the dominant party in the county is responsible, and for a complete and satisfactory reform, the people of the county must place the control of its affairs into new and honest hands. Resolved, That the ticket nominated to-day commands our fullest confidence, and that we will give our earnest efforts to secure its success.⁹⁸ 

The subsequent elections produced the desired results. With the ticket headed by he editor of the Gate City Weekly, who was elected United States Senator, The Republican vote climbed. E. B. Doane, a subscriber to the paper and an acquaintance of the former editor, moved up with the fortunes of the party. In 1870 he went to the State Convention in Des Moines, where, with fourteen other delegates from Lee county, he supported the party statement: 

Resolved, That we refer with pride to the history of the Republican Party, and congratulate the people of the country upon its successful career. It has given to the poor man a homestead; it has abolished slavery, and established manhood suffrage; crushed treason, given us the Pacific Railroad, settled the doctrine of right of expatriation, maintained the honor, integrity, and credit of our nation; it has vindicated the Monroe doctrine by preventing foreign powers from interfering with the governments on this continent; and to perpetuate it in power is the only safe guarantee for peace and prosperity in the future.⁹⁹ 

He did not serve in 1871, but in 1872 he met with the 1st District Convention in Burlington.¹⁰⁰ The happy result of that election was that for the first time, the Republican Party carried Lee County! That was his last party convention in Iowa. The next year found him in Kansas.

The railroads were opening up the west. The railroad through Cedar township was delayed by corruption and legal difficulties, but it opened the way north and south early in the 70s. Other roads smoothed the past west, and soon pioneers were writing back to their friends in Iowa that Kansas was the place to live: 

"The county is beautiful, and will richly reward those who select a home here...I feel no hesitation in recommending this portion of the country to the emigrant."¹⁰¹

 "When you told me in Keokuk this was a beautiful country you did not express half the facts. It is not only beautiful, but perfectly delightful, and even grand."¹⁰²

Most correspondents recommended travel by rail, and in 1873 a veritable flood of Iowans set out for cheap land in Kansas, selling their farms in Iowa and staking everything on the future.

Crops had not done well in Iowa for several years, and the Panic of 1873 was catastrophic to small farmers. The Homestead Act provided relief, especially for veterans, and E. B. Doane and his comrades took the opportunity to improve their lot. The law provided that each settler would receive 160 acres of land if he occupied it and improved it for five years; furthermore, he could preempt another 160 acres at $1.25 an acre. The Timber Culture Act granted an additional 160 acres to a settler if he planted forty acres of trees upon it. In 1873 or 1874 E. B. Doane reportedly drove a covered wagon to Kansas and took up a homestead and timber claim in Osborne County.

He never lost contact with friends and relatives in Iowa, or ever with his wife's family in Ohio, but distance was such as to prevent anyone visiting except on very rare occasions. Although relatives returned to Iowa occasionally, there is no evidence that E. B. ever did so; he maintained communication by mail with his father,¹⁰³ but even that was irregular. Robert Doane remained in Iowa, his savings supplemented by a government pension. He survived until 1889, a respected member of his community.¹⁰⁴ A letter survives, apparently from Amelia's mother, Mrs. Davis, who lived in Mount Hamil, in northwestern Lee County, Iowa. She survived until 1901, and one of her letters, perhaps her last, though undated, was preserved. Spelling and punctuation were extremely poor, but her loneliness and weakness are most eloquent: 

Dear Amelia, 

I hope you are all well. I received your and Lizze's letters. I hope the baby is alright. I have a cradle fixed for him; will send it when I have a chance. I had a letter from my boy. I like to get letters from any of the folks, for it does me so much good. I have not felt able to answer them for I am poorly. Been in bed most part of the last week; am so weak can barely get around the room. I felt poorly most part of the winter. It seems to me I am thinner and weaker. Mattie thinks when the weather gets warmer I feel better. If I don't I do not get through the summer. I try hard to keep around and wait on myself for I know the rest has much to do to take care of themselves...¹⁰⁵ 

She continued to write about the possibility of a visit, but concluded that she was too weak to endure the long train trip with the frequent changes. If correspondence was not frequent, it was at least regular enough that distant lines of Doanes, Cahills, and Davieses never lost contact in spite of the many miles between them. Some Iowa relatives made visits to Osborne County, often to visit those family members who had married E. B. and Amelia=s children.¹⁰⁶

Osborne county is located in north central Kansas, an arid, treeless area except for the fertile valleys that cut through the rolling hills. The South Fork of the Solomon River runs through the northern part of the county and the county seat in Osborne. The census of 1870 found thirty-three settlers in the county, but a boom began in 1873 with large-scale immigration from Iowa and other states so that by 1880 the census recorded 12,518 inhabitants.

Many neighbors joined E. B. Doane in the earliest migration. A Quaker settlement grew up at Mt. Ayr, and veterans from the 19th Iowa Infantry and the 8th Iowa Cavalry appeared in almost every township. E. B. Doane made a claim on land in Delhi township where he built a small log cabin on a creek near the geodetic center of the United States, just north of the Mead ranch. His family then included four children (Frank, Eva Jane, Robert Boyd, and John). With six mouths to feed, he hurried to get his first seed in the ground, undoubtedly corn. But there was no crop in 1874. The grasshoppers came, as the newspaper reported: 

The grasshoppers made their advent into our country the latter part of the week, and are devouring everything before them. We noticed several fields of corn literally alive with them, being almost unable to see either the corn or the ground. We hear reports of their ravages from every portion of Osborne and Rooks counties and up to this writing they are still with us, carrying on their work of desolation and ruin among the field of our farmers.¹⁰⁷ 

The grasshoppers returned in 1875. The "Kansas or Bust" settlers survived, thanks in part to relief committees established in Iowa to send food and clothing. Doubtless, the relatives of E. B. Doane gave his family assistance in this difficult period.

There were other troubles, as the editor commented two years later: 

We understand Mr. Done is in trouble on account of some one jumping his claim. We read in the good Book that he that knoweth his master's will and doeth it not shall be beaten with many stripes. We are surprised that Mr. Done or any other many should leave the gate open for trouble to step in.¹⁰⁸ 

Claim jumping was easy. One needed only to remove one set of markers, replace them with another, and defend the illegal move by bluff or force. Unfortunately, we do not know how this came out, but it is unlikely E. B. Doane did nothing about it. Perhaps a local "claim club" helped to remove the intruder-in any case he disappeared completely.¹⁰⁹

The last Indian raid occurred in 1878, when a bunch of starving Cheyenne broke out of the reservation and started south with their women and children looking for buffalo. Attacked by cowboys, they retaliated on frontier families. Half the settlers of Osborne county fled for safety, but E. B. Doane's homestead was not in a threatened area. The last buffalo seen in Osborne county passed through that year.

Osborne county was becoming civilized. There was a "Literary at Delhi every Friday evening,"¹¹⁰ an Odd Fellows Lodge, and a Masonic Lodge installed at Delhi.¹¹¹ E. B. Doane was an Odd Fellow and a Mason. There was singing and partying at the Prather's nearby, and a donation party for the minister of the proposed church there which one hundred and twenty persons attended.¹¹² E. B. Doane undoubtedly participated in these activities, and although he never joined the church and considered himself a Quaker, his children associated themselves with the church at Delhi and nearby Lucas and became Methodists.

Osborne and the railroad were quite distant from the Doane farm, but two days haul in the wagon sufficed to bring the produce to market. E. B. Doane made the trip regularly, often in company with his friends. C. Borin, publisher of an upstart newspaper, reported his visits: 

Capt. Doan, M.N. Purdy and another gentleman whose name we did not learn, of South Side, told us "how" yesterday.¹¹³

Capt. Doan was in recently to see us.¹¹⁴ 

Unfortunately, E. B. Doane was not so friendly with the editor of the opposing, but more durable newspaper. Borin lasted but two years, and his chatty notices were all too short.

But the country was not so lonesome now. More people lived in Delhi township, even relatives. Amelia's brother James Cahill came west in 1877 after his grandfather died at the age of 103, married a local girl in 1880, and began to teach school. And there were three more children (Elizabeth Amelia, Walter Scott, and Victor Roy).

As little Delhi grew into a crossroads shopping center boasting several stores, it grew somewhat more independent of Osborne two days journey away. The citizens hoped for a railroad which would make them a thriving community. The expectations of things to come caused a rift in the otherwise friendly relations of the citizens, and this rift was reflected in politics. Since all settlers were Republicans, the struggle came in the township caucus, where nominations were made, nomination being tantamount to election. E. B. Doane became involved in this dispute, rather innocently it appears, but also rather disastrously.

Late in September of 1880, E. B. Doane went to Ohio on business and remained there three months,¹¹⁵ most likely to settle the estate of Amelia's grandmother Cahill, who had died in Cincinnati. While he was out of the state, the township trustee died, and in the newspaper's words: "E. B. Doane, candidate for District Clerk, had, during his absence in Ohio on business, been appointed trustee of Delhi township on the petition of his many friends there."¹¹⁶ That week E. B. Doane's friends won. But the next week it was different. When the Republican caucus met, his supporters were outvoted. The split in the township came into the open, as the losing faction withdrew and elected a rump delegation to the county convention. The convention was hotly contested, so much so that the newspaper reported "CONVENTION IS OVER AND NOBODY KILLED, but how about the Delhi contesting delegation." The rump lost.¹¹⁷

To make a long story short, there were plenty of bad tempers left over from the convention. The newspaper reported three weeks later, "Oh, What beautiful weather! But a cloud still hangs over Delhi."¹¹⁸ And E. B. Doane was blamed for part of it. The winning faction crowed in the Farmer: 

Our election news is daily coming in from various parts of the township, the latest report being to the effect that Mr. Purdy, the defeated candidate for trustee, is indignant at Mr. E. B. Doane for not complying with a sacred contract made by them about one month before the county convention. Mr. Purdy solemnly pledged himself to Mr. Doane that he should have the office of district clerk, while Mr. Doane pledged himself that Mr. Purdy should have the office of trustee of Delhi township. Mr. Purdy, to make his calling and election sure, went into the fight with his gloves off. My referring to a number of the Truthteller published during October, you will see that Mr. Purdy faithfully complied with his part of the contract. In that article Mr. Purdy tells the voters of Osborne county that Mr. Doane is a competent man, and also a republican, never having been a greenbacker; also that he was a great warrior, the first stroke he made in the late war knocking off and entire corner of the rebellion. Mr. Doane failed to fell his fellow citizens of Delhi township that Mr. Purdy was a second monitor during the war, and this negligence on Mr. Doane's part is supposed to have caused Mr. Purdy's defeat.¹¹⁹

Delhi Ring

  E. B. Doane's friendship with Marion Purdy seems to have survived this crisis, if there really was one. But neither was able to regain influence on township politics. The Delhi Ring remained in control.

E. B. Doane must have returned from Ohio before Christmas. In January he visited Osborne and the short conversation with the editor of the Truth Teller occasioned several short notices in the paper: 

We were heartily glad to shake Capt. Doane by the hand recently. He had just returned from Ohio, where he has been for the past three months. 

BornCon the 15th, to Mr. & Mrs. Doane, of South Side, a son. All well. (That was Ray Gue). 

J. W. Middaugh, who came out recently to visit his brother-in-law, Capt. Doane of South Side, came to this city and took the train yesterday for his home in Lee county, Iowa. He pleased us by making a call in company with friends Doane, and will hereafter read the Truth Teller in his Iowa home. (He married Mary Annis Doane).¹²⁰ 

He smoothed out the difficulties with Marion Purdy, and that fall purchased the old Purdy Farm. E. B. Doane had decided that his family needed a larger home (two more sons, Ira Bales and Otis Eleazar were born), and he needed more land to farm.

The farm in Osborne county was of moderate size. He purchased the 320 acres from Marion and Mary Purdy for one thousand dollars on September 29, 1881.¹²¹ He transferred the mortgage from the Kansas Trust and Banking Company to the Mutual Trust Company of Pennsylvania and paid installments of fifty-eight dollars and seventy-five cents. The second mortgage was still not completely paid off at the time of his death in 1886. He had another 160 acres in nearby counties and 260 acres in Reynolds County, Missouri.

It was good wheat country, and E. B. Doane provided himself with all the tools necessary for wheat farming: a plow, a drag, a wheat drill, three wagons, and harness and tackle for two teams. He had seven head of horses for work and, consequently, had to provide fodder for them. He raised hay and clover, and owned a mowing machine and hay rake for harvesting those crops. On the remaining land he ran fifty head of cattle and dept about fifty hogs and pigs. These were for consumption as well as for sale. Naturally, they varied in age, heifers, yearlings, and calves all being present; and hogs and shoates.

The home was a plain, unpainted one and one-half story farm house, small and rather depressing. The house was surrounded by trees and bushes; lilacs and holly hocks and other old-fashioned flowers in front on the east, tamaracks and currants to the north, and a large peach orchard to the south. There was a small living room and one bedroom downstairs on the south side of the house, with two bedrooms upstairs above them; on the north side of the house a large dining room ran from the front back to the kitchen, which also was a larger room, occupying the entire rear portion of the house. Above the front porch was an open porch, and there was a cellar underneath the kitchen. A stone walk led to the cistern not far from the kitchen door on the south. The barn was built into the hillside west of the house, and was also surrounded by trees.

The house was filled by a family of twelve persons, and one could find there all the necessities for life on a new and undeveloped frontier. Luxuries were few. Even necessities were scarce. So inside the house one found only common furniture, bedding, the books used by the family and the children in school, the family Bible, and the musical instruments played by the various members of the family. Around the house were the outbuildings, never quite completed, and the animals. There were two cows for milk, several pigs, the spay horse, the tools, the fuel and the provisions, and probably a few stray chickens.¹²²

Most of the land was not yet fenced, and labor had to be hired. Some years saw little rain; others saw locusts and other insect pests; and winters could be severe. The land was but a few years removed from the buffaloes and the Indians, and while those had passed far away already, the land itself was not yet tamed.

Nevertheless, E. B. Doane persevered and even prospered in a small way. By 1886 he had saved over $1300 which he planned to invest in improvements, and indeed, at the time of his death he was bringing back a herd of animals, largely horses, but a mule also, to improve his holdings. And he was hiring labor to finish his outbuildings and fences.¹²³

He kept busy in other ways also. In 1882 someone had burned the school house, after carrying out the benches and books. E. B. Doane set out to build a proper structure which could be used for religious services as well. The funds were raised by private subscription, but E. B. Doane did most of the work himself.¹²⁴ This was later known as the "old Doane school," located on a corner of E. B. Doane's place. He finished it that summer, in time for his numerous children to use it.

Unhappily, E. B. Doane=s health continued to deteriorate. He had, in truth, never recovered fully from his war experience. The camp fevers and the prison camp hardships had undermined his constitution permanently. He suffered from such chronic intestinal difficulties that he was unable to work either as a teacher or a full-time farmer.¹²⁵ This disability became increasingly severe, so that early in 1884 he applied for an Invalid Pension from the government. But it was delayed on the grounds that further depositions were necessary, and on March 16, 1886, the application was returned from Washington.¹²⁶

Finally his doctors advised him to go to Arkansas, in hopes that the mineral waters then would benefit his weakened condition. In late August of 1886 he drove his team to Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and lived there in his wagon.¹²⁷ On September 14th he wrote his last letter home: 

Dear Wife and Family, 

Your letter of August 30th and Pension Certificate were here when I arrived Sunday night. I was glad to hear from home and to know that all is well. The weather is and has been for 3 or 4 days very damp and windy, with some rain, and the herd in mud. I feel better this morning than I did yesterday. Have not got about much and won't until the weather's better or I feel better. Charley is still with me. We have got into a house and the horses in a pasture in day hire and a stable at night. Bird stood the trip better than Beck. The last two days were very rough road and shook me so that I am sore. Yes, I want that *stone work pushed along. Get Zero to hire Charley and if Jo is needed about getting more stone better keep him too. I want a pasture fenced. Better fence what is north of my timber clump and east of the road on the section line. Better have them finish cutting the corn and hay first...I'll send money to get the wire & posts with also to pay Jo and Charley and Zero. I want them to crowd the stone work so that I can get the Barn up before cold weather...I saw Abe and Elwood Smith & Dudly Kerney, they are all here.¹²⁸ Abe and I are going hunting the latter part of the week if I am able. I'll send the Pension Certified to Topeka and get it cashed and then I'll sent the money. The water here is having some effect on me but I can't tell yet whether it will help or not. I'll try it a while anyway. I am going to get some dried Apples to fetch home. As soon as they can after the corn is cut have them fence the Pasture so the children can go to school. Have you any school yet? If Valentine wants to sell that 1/4 I'll take the west 80 at whatever Mead thinks he can give for the east one. I am getting tired and will close. Hoping this will find you all well. Write often & let me know how the Money is getting. I wouldn't sell the Hogs until they are fat. Have Sharpe look at that clover and when he thinks it is ready to cut. Have the boys mow it up...

  yours truly

E. B. Doane 

E. B. Doane died suddenly October 5, 1886. The next day Mr. Morris, Cashier of the Bank of Siloam wrote: 

Mrs. E. B. Doane

Delhi, Kansas 

Dear Madam 

I suppose by the time this reaches you, you will have rec'd the corpse of your husband. He died very sudden at this place at about 3 o'clock. Mr. Doane at the time of his death had in this Bank 1324 & 80/100 dollars less exchange 2.50. He had a pension Draft in his pocket for 27.75 and in cash 1.80 and had 20 ponies in the pasture also, 1 Jack. He got the stock within 2 miles of this place last night & in the company with 2 other men came on into town and after eating a harty supper went to bed in a wagon with a hand but was taken sick in the night and died soon after calling the hand up. I have assumed the expense of the coffin and buryal expenses, also furnished money to express the corpse to you and sent it to the RR tonight & it will start from Rogers on the 2 PM train Oct 7th. I will furnish money to send the stock right on to the farm by D. H. Karney who was with Mr. Doane while he was down to Ft. Smith and helped him buy the stock. And as soon as I find out what expense there is to be paid out, I will advise you. I don't think it would be best for the stock to be stopped here, therefore, I advance the money to sent it to you as also the corpse. I don't know on what grounds Mr. Doane drew his pension but if it was for any trouble of the bowels or stomach, you had better have a post mortem examination made before you buerry, as if you can show that he died from the causes as set forth in his pension claim you will be entitled to a Widow's Pension and if you can't show sutch to be the cause of his death you will not be able to obtain a widow's pension. My advice would be that you have him examined by a good Physician before you berry him. As I said will write you again soon and will forward the stock in care D. H. Karney. I am very respectfully.

R. S. Morris¹²⁹

The local paper gave the following announcement: 

E. B. Doane died at Hot Springs, Arkansas...(he) had been in failing health for some time past and a few months since went thither in the hope of receiving benefit from the mineral waters and change in climate. Mr. Doane was a well known citizen of this county, having resided in the southeastern portion from the very earliest date of settlement, and he will be sincerely missed by a large circle of acquaintances. His remains were sent home for burial which took place Sunday under Masonic auspices.¹³⁰

It remained only to settle the estate. A first settlement was filed October 15, 1886, and a final account December 8, 1889. The estate was reduced from $3090 to $2447 by mortgage and tax payments in the interim and went to the widow.¹³¹

E. B. Doane's life and death were representative of his era. He experienced all the joys and sorrows of the times. In his youth he saw the rise of great issues; national unity and the abolition of human slavery soon enough became battle cries, and he could not stand idly by. While still a young man he served with distinction in the bitterest war in this nation's history. He lost his brother and many friends in that great conflict, almost perished himself, and suffered the ill-effects for the remainder of his life. But he had fought for a world which did not yet exist and he must have been disappointed to see how the ideals were betrayed or circumvented in the ensuing years. The Republican era which promised unlimited expansion and prosperity brought hitherto unparalleled corruption and depression. Nevertheless, despite his physical weakness, he stood by the party of his hopes and fought for its regeneration. It was a good fight, both in Iowa and in Kansas, but he usually went down to defeat; perhaps because he stood for a Republicanism that existed more in rhetoric that in reality. As the pioneer spirit stirred again, driving hundreds of thousands to resettle in the states to the west, he, too, was swept along, there to encounter new and dangerous difficulties. On the almost treeless plains he built a home, put in his crops, and reared his children. Opposed by nature and his fellow man, his survival was short. Inadequate diet and the hardships of taming the land cost him what remained of his health and he died young, leaving a widow and many small children in that hostile environment. Indeed, at that point it should be asked whether his courage, courage proven as it was in battle and in life, was equal to that shown by his widow. But he had lived for a dream, and if he cou