The grave of Brig . Gen . Samuel Allen Rice . Rice was returned home to Oskaloosa after receiving a fatal wound during the Battle of Jenkin ’ s Ferry . He died two months later and is buried in Forest Cemetery . Photo by Donald Promnitz / The Ottumwa Courier
A monument outside of the Marion County Courthouse in Knoxville , commemorating Iowa veterans . Soldiers from Iowa played a crucial role in the Union Army ’ s victory during the American Civil War , serving in every theatre of operations . Photo by Donald Promnitz / The Ottumwa Courier
The Tally War
Individual support among Iowans , however , varied . With its close proximity to Missouri , a slave state , there were some with Confederate sympathies , or who didn ’ t want any involvement in the war at all , and dozens signed up to fight for the Confederacy . The tensions between pro and anti-war Iowans in the southeast could often be heated , and in Keokuk County , it nearly led to a major crisis within the state .
One of the more vocal sympathizers for the Confederate cause was Baptist minister Cyphert Tally . Having come to Keokuk County from Tennessee , he was a staunch supporter of the anti-war faction of the Democratic Party , also known as the “ Copperheads ,” and garnered a large following through his pro-Confederate sermons .
Things escalated on Aug . 1 , 1863 when Tally disrupted a pro-Republican rally in South English . With both camps armed , shots rang out , resulting in Tally ’ s death . Soon after , Tally ’ s supporters , known as “ Tally ’ s Army ,” or the “ Skunk River Army ,” marched on South English threatening to burn the town to the ground . The incident forced Gov . Samuel Kirkwood to intervene .
“ Gov . Kirkwood has to call out militias all over the area to come over and put down that crisis . And then they move on to Sigourney and threaten to burn Sigourney down and
8 | Now & Then