How to Grow Wheat-Grass-in-pots

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How to Grow Wheat-Grass-in-pots


Image by Barry Gourmet and Raw
Takes only 7days to make for beverages to cleanse the Blood, support your Immunity, & Lose Weight

How to Grow Wheat Grass in Pots?

Barry’s introduction for Wheat Grass methods and uses:
Written by Barry Gourmet & Raw © Copyright September 13th 2011

This article is one of the most important health and wellness tips that I am putting on the table for you to date. Many people do not know what wheat grass is , or how to make it, or tasted it , or what it does for your body. Many people I can say are really missing out on a Liquid Mineral and Vitamin supplement that goes directly into your blood stream to support your internal environment in such a positive and profound away. Many people including myself, having embraced this Superfood into our lives have obtained a long grocery list of positive health benefits from its use.

I can say that in the first half of my life ,I never even heard of this deep green liquid beverage called Wheat Grass ,until I tried it one day at my local health food store back in the middle 80s.
No one will ever forget that first gulp that really can stay with you for the rest of your life, and it can send you either way in the taste department . You either LOVE it or you HATE it, because the wheat grass is loaded with Alkaloids,and is a powerful Bitter Sweet tasting, Green Tonic that awakens all your senses in one shot.

Wheat grass is a gift from nature , and can be used in so many different ways to make it more palatable to ones sensitive taste buds as I will demonstrate in this writing.

My first fateful introduction to Wheat Grass happened very innocently as I stood their one early Sunday morning in Sherman Oaks California , waiting for the stop light to turn green .
It was one of those rare days that I actually walked , with my car abandoned at a nearby hospital parking lot,to just escape for a moment from my working life.

As I crossed the street a big sign in front of a store window caught my attention like a magnet drawing me to it with more curiosity.

The words of the sign read, ORGANIC FOOD SOLD HERE , and with no words about wheat grass but I was still compelled to check out this store anyway. Little did I know that my whole life was about to change , and it was like some subconscious force in my mind encouraged me to forge ahead, to find the TRUTH,to discover one of Natures many powerful natural foods, that would help eliminated all the symptoms that I carried around with me inside my body.

What really struck me about this store was first the vibrancy and freshness of the huge selection of produce, and then the smaller section of what I thought looked like the typical processed food illes that I was used to seeing in the other grocery stores that I shopped at.
And then with more careful inspection I soon realized that I was looking at bottled and packaged foods of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements, Super Foods, Herbs ,Tingsters, Herbal Teas,natural personal body care products and food based nutritional extracts to just name a few. After the stores knowledgable clerk kindly explained to me what each product item was, and what it could do for me , I have to admit that at the time ,I was very overwhelmed with information overload, and headed over to the checkout counter with these new strange novelty health items in my arms.

Waiting patiently with other customers inline in front of me, I noticed several racks of free health pamphlets on display and I was again distracted with my curiosity taking in all this material with new strange names that where not part of my vocabulary. Not waisting any time

I quickly gathered up every health pamphlet on display that I could fit into a nearby shopping cart with my purchased items as the rest of the customers where already long gone by then. As I filled my cart up, I noticed out of the corner of my eye,an impressive library of health books in the far corner of the store, but the boat load of freebies will have to do for now, was all I could think.

I can still remember to this day the way my Cashier Lady friend smiled and looked at me knowingly like I was her first Newbie Customer of the day but friendly just the same.
Little did I know at the time that I possessed a Wealth of Health information even though it was condensed down ,and to the point.I had so much of it, that I could have easily wallpapered my small apartment with much to spare.

It was noon now and before I got to my car,I stopped off at my first health food eatery and ordered my first Avocado Whole grain sandwich with herb tea. I really must have lived a sheltered life I thought to myself .Needless to say my first taste of health food was delicious and since then, Avocado the good fat , has been a key ingredient in many of my recipes.

Have you ever seen the movie Forest Gump staring the actor Tom Hanks? If you haven’t it is a must see movie as this main character in the film would innocently stumble upon new situations in his life with out giving up. Back then I had no idea what I was doing, I had no idea that I was later detoxing myself with all the information found in my self help pamphlets.I did not know or understand that I was doing the right thing for my body at the time.Like Forest Gump, I just knew that I was feeling better with time , and my excess weight just dropped off of me.
It took months for me to connected all the dots together ,and to realize later that I was on the right course and later adopted my new found life style, and embraced my discovered Health Freedom.

You have to realize that back then the internet was not so popular, I did not have a computer and everything was in print .As I turned over the bags of health material across my dinning room table, a few spilled out and over onto the floor, and I picked up one pamphlet closest to me.

“It read How to grow your own Wheat Grass authored by Dr. Anne Wigmore.”

For any body that does not know Dr. Anne Wigmore she is and will always be acknowledged by her followers as the “Wheat Grass Lady” and co founder of the Hippocrates Health Institute working with Viktoras Kulvinskas located in, Boston Massachusetts. Anne Wigmores movement opened up centers around the world and her name still lives on today for her research work regarding this powerful wheat grass body cleanser. Hippocrates a Greek Physician living thousands of years ago is the founding father of modern medicine today, and it is his oath that all interns today resit at graduation to become licensed Medical Doctors. Of all the famous quotes made from Hippocrates that speak the Truth for myself and I am sure for many others ,his words would be as follows………..
“ Let food be your medicine,and medicine be your food” …… When I first read this powerful message years ago I naturally carried the thought with me and later adopted the concept ,simply as “Connect with Nature and to do no Harm”.

I felt that Wheat Grass Juice was a powerful element coming from nature , and I started to use it in a complementary fashion with other cleansing whole foods in my life style.

Wheat Grass Juice at a Glance:

Fresh Wheat Grass is extremely Alkaline and Cleansing to your body ,which can help nutralize toxins in your internal digestive environment.

Fresh Wheat Grass juice is rich in natural Chlorophyll (the blood of all plant life) It is the green Chlorophyll that is rich in Oxygen and Enzymes that go directly to your cells minus the fiber that slows down digestion.

Fresh Wheat Grass will improve digestion and help to increase your metabolism and is a good appetite suppressor for people wanting to lose excessive weight.

At one time all grasses used to be fed to our live stock, which produced higher levels of the essential omega 3 fatty acids in there meat and the cuts where more lean. But now this Sustainable Agricultural practice is a rarity these days with more family owned farms being forced out of business. Now today much of our live stock is fed with factory farmed corn . Much of this corn grown today for our beef industry is GMO genetically modified organisms that of course is not labeled for consumer confidence.
Today I elect to eat the cows wheat grass for my self ,and to let the cow have her corn.
“On a nutritional score I will take the Wheat Grass over cows corn any time of the day, Thank You.”

Fresh Wheat Grass is loaded with bioavailable nutrition and very high in the minerals Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium ,Iron and high in the vitamins Beta Carotene (Pro Vitamin A) and C.

All living foods such as Wheat Grass will help feed ,and support our living Bacteria cultures about 5 to 6 pounds of this complex friendly flora bacteria residing in our stomach ,and intestines to support our immune system from invading organisms.

The molecules of Fresh Wheat Grass Juice is very similar to our own human blood chemistry. The only difference is the hemoglobin in Human blood, containing (FE) Iron gives our blood that deep red color.
And the Magnesium molecules (Mg) in the plants Chlorophyll rich blood provides the green color that we see so readily in nature. It is just amazing to me how humans, wild life,and the plant life on Earth share similarities respectfully , and structurally we are so connected with nature.

Wheat is a product that is used in so many of our foods including baked goods , proccesed foods,the supplement industry,beverages,medication,restaurants,fast food outlets you name it.
Wheat Berries are very high in the protein Gluten, that people with Celiac Disease ,or people that have allergies to Wheat consumption cannot not tolerate.

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes a persons internal environment in the small intestinal tract to be damaged ,creating problems of malabsorption of nutrients that could lead to malnutrition, and whole list of unexplained symptoms in the body.

Other people could simply have an intolerance to Gluten or just have allergic reactions to the offending protein.

The problem with wheat and related Gluten grains are simple. The symptoms are so varied that they can mimic other ailments in the body and never get diagnosed, or even worse the chronic damage to the small intestines could go on with out exhibiting any symptoms at all in the person.
The good news is that Wheat Grass has no Gluten at all as the protein is dissolved into the wheat berries itself and is not found in the grass blades. So it is safe for all to drink Wheat Grass with out the risk of Gluten intolerance or to experience allergic reactions from consuming this liquid sunshine beverage.
To get around this potential problem , I eat a varied diet with some days having no grain at all.
It really is not difficult as there are so many alternative recipe ideas out there that do not include grains of any kind and I make many of them every day in my garden kitchen and they are very delicious. The Gluten grains to eat less of or to eliminate from your diet is Wheat Berries ,Spelt, Rye ,Triticale and Kamut.

The second thing that you can do is go for the non gluten grains ,such as Buckwheat which is really not related to wheat at all but classified as a fruit seed, Amaranth and Quinoa are ancient small grains that look more like seeds, plus Corn ( make sure its organic). Millet is a delicious small nutty tasting grain. Brown Rice including all other varieties of rice that are in the hundreds ,plus my favorite germinated GABA brown rice is also a good choice to make. So there you can see that there is a lot of non gluten delicious choises for you to make and I think it just makes good nutritional sense for your health to include a big variety of grains on rotation with even a few non grain days to give your self maximum nutritional support.

When on occasion I do eat Glutinous Wheat Berries , my method of preparation will take some of the gluten out of the Wheat Berries by sprouting for 2 to 3 days then steaming them there after.
It does seem to most people that it is a lot of trouble to do this,but for me it is not because it only takes me a couple of minutes a day to prepare them out of my schedule.
The big thing that I wish to convey here to you,is that many Processed Foods ,mostly from the Food Giants, have the protein gluten as a main ingredient, a secondary ingredient , or even a hidden unlabeled ingredient and I see this all the time. I do not eat processed food in my life style with few exceptions. It is not difficult to do and it can be done.

"I have yet to see cooked food germinate, sprout, and bring fourth life? Let me know when this happens? "

Barry Gourmet & Raw

Barry’s Weight Loss and Nutritional Tips:

Wheat Grass is a known and proven appetite suppressant that will fire up your metabolism .
Other nutrient dense foods that will provide the same benefit for you is pure 100% Dark Chocolate with out any refined sugar or sweetener added(Pure Cocoa)
The Super Green Algae Marine water Spirulina and fresh water Chlorella powders.
Green Tea extract and Green Tea beverages are all appetite sup-resents and metabolism boosters. Ginger herb powder extract and its fresh herb counter part will assist in your digestion, and is a good stomach remedy that will add internal heat to your body.
All of the above mentioned will help you with losing weight. I know this ,from taking these powerful herbs and super foods myself as my appetite would be indeed temporarily suppressed ,allowing my stomach and digestive organs to finish their job.

Also taking in nutrient dence nutrition this way will send a signal to your pituitary gland at the base of your brain that will send messages to your other glands that in-turn regulates your metabolism. By eating nutrient dense foods like this, will help replace the empty calorie foods found in most man made processed packaged foods including heavy starchy cooked meals lacking in enzyme nutrition.

Barry’s Wheat Grass Experience Overseas:

The method for growing Wheat Grass in pots is really easy to do, as any person can learn to do this wonderful act of producing living foods. The great part of this is you do not need a traditional garden ,just a dark area of your kitchen or bath room that takes up a small space.
The important thing to have of course is a reputable ORGANIC seed supplier that has a good track record for delivering seeds that can sprout consistently . If the Wheat Barrie grains don’t sprout for more than at least 80 % of the seed planted then I would reconsider looking for another company for better sprouting results. Also it is important to note that if you see a lot of grains floating on the water surface that this is not a good sign.Wheat Berries that float normally do not sprout. Not all grains of wheat sprout at the same consistency so it is a good idea to start with grains locally to see how it goes with a small batch , and try another. I have had success and less successful results this way.

A good time to start is just before bedtime so allow yourself a few minutes for this.
Once you have your wheat berries then decide how much you would like to sprout ?and store the rest of your grains in airtight glass mason jars in a cool dark storage place.For the first time you may want to start of with a smaller amount of grain to cover ,lets say the estimated surface area of two clay pots 12 inches across? Or for what ever is available for your first time out.

Day 1:Place your wheat berries in a large ceramic or glass mixing bowl, (Never use Plastic) . Then fill with pure filtered water 3 to 4 inches above the surface level of your grains and stir with large spoon mixing the whole mixture. You will probably notice a lot of sediment and coloring in the water. It is important to rinse off all the gray sprouted water by taking a pail and placing a metal colander over top to pour your grains into it as the water collects at the base of the pail. Keep repeating this process until the water is crystal clear to the eyes. It should take about only 3 rinses to achieve this result. This is important because for best results you want to release all the protective enzyme inhibiters that surround each wheat berry grain that has a membrane coating , keeping the grain dormant indefinitely until the right conditions are presented such as water , air, and darkness.

Note about the collected rinse water: The water collected in the pail is excellent nurishment for your house plants or garden outside .

Then fill your bowl of Wheat Berries once more again ,with enough water ,about 3 inches above the grains surface. Lay a kitchen towel loosly over the bowl to create darkness ,turn off all the lights and then go to bed.

Day 2: In the morning check up on your bowl of submerged wheat berries, you may notice a difference in the way they look? Like looking more plump,thats a good sign as they soaked up some of the water.

Repeat Day 1 of rinsing until the water is clear again. Then inside of your metal colander spread a thin layer of all your Wheat Berries using the bottom round side of your big spoon to form a punch bowl shape of grains spreading up and around the colanders insides. You may need 2 stainless steel colanders to finish the job.

NOTE:Why I believe my colander method is a better, than the jar method? First you only attend the sprouts once per day and not 2 times like the jar method. And secondly I find that one day is saved in the total sprouting process, because my method exposes more circulating air and less moister , helping the grains to sprout faster.
Third there is no chance for the grains to spoil or grow mould from having too much moister and not enough air circulation. So in my opinion this method is more efficient and you get faster,and better results.

Put a dinner plate under the colander to collect any residual water ,with your spoon ,again spread the grains across and up the sides walls of your colander. Then cover the colander with a loose towel to put your sprouts in darkness again ,but also they are allowed to breath. Move everything to the darkest part of your kitchen or bathroom with the lights out. Or you can even put them in your kitchen cupboard with the door slightly open for air circulation using any object as a stopper.

Day 3 : In the morning inspect your colander of sprouted wheat , what do you see?
This time your Wheat Berry grains will be even more swelled up, but also a small stem like growth may have appeared and this indicates that your grain is starting to germinate and sprout for planting later.
I still get goose bumps with excitement , even today when I see this miracle of nature happen and I have been doing this for more than 25 years now. I sprout almost everything from different grains,seeds,legumes and nuts and it still fascinates me.

Repeat the rinsing process from day 2 until the water in the bowl is clear again then place a ,spread the grains as you did before along the insides of your colander , Then place a towel over the colander of grains to put into darkness again.

The next step is to go to your local nursery garden shop,where they sell a bag of dark rich organic soil.
And you would need a couple of clay pots with the holes at the bottom and also around the sides if you can find them but don’t worry a normal caly pot will do as well. In the photo you can see that the Wheat Grass roots have actually done by spreading deep through the soil ,and even out through the pots many holes. More air circulation in the soil helps faster growth from using these kinds of clay pots.

Buy a bag of medium size stones or you can even use discarded broken pieces of pottery as a drainage layer placed at the bottom of each clay pot.

The reason that I do not use plastic pots is in the fact that environmentally they are hazardous. Plastic is made with petrol chemicals that leech by product toxins into our eco system. I know we have plastic all around us it is not avoidable, I just think it should not be part of our soil and in the foods that we eat.Did you know that the largest land fill on our planet is not even on land. No its out in the Pacific ocean between the continental United States and the islands of Hawaii. This plastic land fill is the size of the state of Texas. Our unsustainable love affair with plastic pollution cannot be contained , and the marine life such as large filter feeders and smaller marine life is being adversely affected in that area.
Besides I think natural clay pots ,or ceramic as well just look better in the garden.And they look better on your window sill or any place in your home much more then plastic pots.

Day 4: Repeat the procedure again of rinsing and storage of grains in your colanders, and this time have a good inspection of your wheat berries.If you see some good stem growth on most of all your wheat berries at least 80 % of them, then it is a good time for planting.
If not then cover your colender with a towel and store them in darkness for planting the next morning.

Asuming that your wheat berries are all looking good,then bring out your clay pots, and make sure there is about 2 inches of stones ,broken pottery,marbles, or any hard subtances to allow good drainage.
Next add your Organic soil into the pot to leave at least 2 to 3 inches of space between the rim and surface of soil. A good 5 to 6 inches depth of soil is good.

Your wheat berries at this stage should have soft but firm bodies that can be easily sqeezed between your fingers .
Whet the soil down a little with pure filtered water , but not too much to form any puddle.
Spread your sprouted wheat berries in all directions over the surface of the soil,so that the grains are touching next to each other but not piled on top of each other.

Then place a dry news paper on top to cover the surface.
Then using a spray bottle wet the news paper down and you can drape a loose towel over top for darkness. Any seed, grain, legume or nut that is exposed to water and kept in darkness all the time like this , will think that they are actually in the ground ,and will start to sprout.
Your potted grains need to be still inside for the warmth of room temperature to encourage sprouting. Later in the day or just before you go to bed if you see that the news paper has dried out just give it another spray of water to wet the paper down again. No peaking!

Day 5:On this early morning day,all your TLC should be bringing you sure signs of LIFE as you slowly peel away the news papers.

What do you see? If you see most of all your grain sprouts reaching for the sky with longer stems then you have succeeded . They will be a color of pale cream and light green.

Give them some pure filtered water ,just enough to saturate the soil ,with out puddles.
You can leave them uncovered for good air circulation but still in darkness.
Before you go to bed you can give them some more water. “Good Night”

Day 6: On this morning, again inspect your juvenile wheat grass . You should see a lot of pale colored greenish hair growing upwards peaking over the rim of your clay pots.This is a good time to take them out side if it is a sunny summer day . If it is a cold winter then put the pots beside a big window for lots of sunshine . It is still important that the temperature around the wheat grass is still warm or room temperature. Water them, and water them again before bed.

Day 7: In the morning you should see a dramatic difference in your wheat grass by now!
The grasses are now long and green all bunched together ,maybe 5 to 6 inches tall? You can still let your grass grow another day all the way up to 10 days as you harvest what you need for your juicing pleasure. Always water once in the morning and once in the evening. You may have noticed that I purposely had you tend to your growing wheat grass either early in the morning and later in the evening only because this would not interfere with your daily schedule and in this way the program can be fitted in even for the busy person.
To harvest your wheat grass ,just use some scissors,and cut near the roots for the best nutrition.
Cut as much wheat grass as you need to make 4 ounces of juice.

I use a manual hand crank juicer that does a good job and they are affordable.
A slower revolution of the blades preserves more of the nutrition and with less oxidation.
The fibrous pulp will come out one end and the dark green juice will be collected in a container. I compost the fiber or if you don’t have a com-poster then you can mix the fiber in with your potting soil deep as it will all break down eventually and add aeration to the soil.

The Tray Method:
Another popular method among Sproutarians is to us a larger surface area using a shallow square or rectangle shaped tray.

It is the same method as the pots, but this time you just spread only about inch thick of organic peat moss. Another option is using some organic rich dark loamy garden soil .Sometimes I make a soil amendment of adding some pre soaked seaweed ,such as Wakami ,Kelp,or Chinese to my blender with a little pure water and blend into a liquid. This can be added and worked into the soil with a simple kitchen fork for extra fertilization to the soil but don’t overdo it as the wheat sprout is a hardy grain. Water the soil with out forming puddles.Then spread the germinated wheat sprouts across to the edges of the tray,so that the grains are touching but not piled on top of each other.Water the sprouts with out forming any puddle. And with a spray bottle wet them down. Cover them with dry newspaper , and wet the news paper down with out puddling.
Keep the trays inside in a dark room lightly covered with a towel for smaller productions and a bed spread for larger productions. Your trays of sprouts can also be stored in your cabinetry with the door slightly opened for air with darkness for the next 3 days . One time in the morning and one time in the evening give water to your sprouts and on the third day of awakening you should see a forest of pale green colored wheat grass. First move your trays to indirect natural sunlight . Then over the days ,the trays can be further moved to fuller sun light for maximum effect for photosynthesis of your grass blades, to collect energy from the sun.

It was just a matter of time , when after days, then weeks, then months of experimentation I started to see positive results in my health. And during my transition time ,my new way of thinking about food changed dramatically. I was no longer eating food off the canteen truck like I used to ,and instead I was bringing in my clearly marked bagged lunches and green smoothies into work. Looking inside the large studio refrigerator every day, I could not help notice how different the diets where of most of my colleagues in comparison to what I was eating.

I had realized then that I had become a Fruitarian,Vegetarian,Rawtarian,Sproutarian,Medtarian,(Mediterranean)
Macterian,(Macrobiotics)and Vegan days all rolled up into one and my lunches reflected this change in my life.

You have to understand that I was working in a Cartoon Studio in Hollywood California for Hanna -Barbera Studios at that time ,animating the cartoon feature film production ,entitled “Once Upon a Forest” a film about the environment of animals in the forest.
I was drinking so much carrot juice at the time , that my skin was actually taking on an orange color mostly in my hands ,but it was only temporary and it disappeared when I cut back.

I remember it was in 1990 when I got that telephone call at work , from Walt Disney Company to work overseas in Korea for the next 2 years.I know that this may raise a few eye brows among some of you, but I was actually practicing Agriculture in my business hotel room in down town Soul Korea. I had everything covered up in darkness so the maid was non the wiser.I was using the Matt Method,colander staining method ,hidden away in dresser drawers, closets, and under the bed. I had many of my sprouts in jars hidden under several card board boxes as well.

It was usually on the third day,that the gig was up and my secret was out because of course my sprouts needed fresh air and sunlight to grow and prosper.

During those 2 years It was not just the wheat grass growing in the various hotel rooms (the later ones had balconies)with stacks of trays everywhere ,it was everything else too like , Mung, Alfalfa, Pumpkin, Sunflower,Basil,Barley and others.

Eventually I moved into the privacy of my own flat to grow my food, and to live my Sproutarian Life in more privacy. Some times I would go to a nice restaurant , where the management new me, and accepted my patronage for some of my favorite Korean dishes like Brown Rice Bi-Bi m-Bap ,a Salad,with Miso Soup and some Herbal Tea. Occasionally I would slip some of my home made sprouts into my dish served.

But this was a good way for me to supplement my Korean diet and I enjoyed the Korean Red and White Ginseng that was on offer by the store box fulls, and the traditional Kimchi. (Fermented vegetables) Since then I moved around a lot living in different places all over Asia and Europe .I discovered different ethnic ,and cultural cuisines that up to this day has profoundly influenced my way of thinking about food, and the recipes that followed.
For the serious Wheat Grass Grower that happens to live in a tropical climate all year round like myself, an interesting option became available to me. Growing wheat grass outdoors in raised garden beds by the boat load was possible even living here in Phuket Thailand !
I hope that you have enjoyed reading my experience with food ? Especially about growing wheat grass ,as much as I have enjoyed writing about my experience for you.

Nutrition and in this case, more interesting Earth Recipe choices can be easily created by you with color and incredible good taste directly from Nature. Delicious recipes can come from Nature , it does not have to be processed.
For seed companies ,when you are happy with a company then stay with them but always keep your eyes out for competitive offers as well. I use my own supplier in Thailand for now so I do not have any experience with the suppliers on my short list. But I did review their websites and many have good information to give you,for sprouting of living foods. I enjoyed visiting them all. “I wish you all the success for your new healthy lifestyle as a fellow Sproutarian.”

" The blood of plants is green in color , the blood of humans and animals are red in color, this is where the difference ends."

Barry Gourmet & Raw

Barry’s Gourmet Sprouting Tip:
When you prepare your recipes using Organic or Heirloom produce,you have a wonderful option to save yourself a lot of money and to put more food on your table for your self and your family and it is all for FREE.

Save your seeds for later use. You can sprout with them, grow fruits and vegetables in your existing garden and a lot more. I don’t know why I did not think of this years ago? I have been practicing this seed saving good for the environment habit for about 4 years now from this writing.
When you think of it our forefathers and family owned farms for generations have been saving their own seeds for the next generation of harvest. So why cant we do the same thing even though it is on a much smaller scale? In my teens I used to work for a grocery store, and it just amazed me how much expired food was being dumped out along with the seeds to our land fills. What a waste of resources.

“Seeds are a gift from nature to be used over and over again, and not to be discarded for ever.”

Seed saving is easy and practical when you schedule in the time to practice this important way of living green.

First you want to save seeds that you grow, and that your garden naturally grows as your existing soil will already be suited for this purpose. For example when I compost my kitchen scraps then later distribute the green manure around my garden , I see in time hundreds of little Papaya trees growing everywhere so in this case I do not have to save seeds for this tropical fruit,as nature does it for me.

It is important to use organic heirloom seeds ( Original seed that has been saved by generations before the industrial revolution)from your produce , as hybrid conventional produce has been denatured and treated by the biotech industry to make the food insect resistant, and like I have been saying all along that plants are systemic meaning that their root systems absorb everything including the pesticide and herbicide chemical applied.

It is important for me to note here ,that you should consider what local foods are grown best in your area as these seeds will do well, and should be your first choice. For example I would not save seeds of apple because they are not grown in my area, but Papaya is. This could be the opposite case where you happen to live?
When you have formulated a list of fruits and vegetables plus herbs that grow well in your area then it is time for you to save seeds of that nature.

I am going to be really general here as the plant kingdom offers many different ways of saving seed that is appropriate for each plant and area. It is best to pick your best looking , plant that is ready to eat for example a tomato. Any fleshy plant with lots of small seeds will be difficult to save so a method of separating most of the pulp and skin by hand must be done first. Then place the flesh and seeds into a glass of water and wait for the seeds to settle to the bottom. Depending on the plant it could take hours to days. Then place the seeds in a colander straining basket and wash off the remaining pulp thourouly. You can now place your wet seeds on a natural fiber towel or floor matt.(a towel that has not been bleached white with the chemical dioxin)

Spread your seeds across half of the towel or matt ,then fold the other half over your seeds, and then again fold again to the size of a quarter of your original matt or towel size. You can also role the your matt loosely into a burrito for air circulation.
The moister from the seeds will be absorbed into the matt or towel and left this way for half a day or more. Uncover the matt or towel, then place your seeds on glass or ceramic dish ware, or on a large window screen that has been converted into a table for drying out your seeds in indirect sun light. When your seeds are perfectly dry and clean with out any moister to the touch, then the seeds can be packaged in non white natural paper envelopes, Next of course it is important to write the date and the name of the seed on the envelope.

I like to put my envelopes in air tight mason jars and store them in my refrigerator or even my wine cooler. Seeds age well under these conditions and they are good for up to 2 years or more.
For a longer time put your stored seeds in the freezer that can keep for up to 10 years or more before use.
In some cases you can go right into food production. For instance the the King of all fruits the Durian fruit which is one of my favorites has a different approach.
A good durian is when you shake the fruit violently close to your ear, and you can hear the bods rattle back and fourth,then you know its a good one. Just make sure you where your heavy protective mitts as the hard spikes of this fruit is fearsome and dangerous if not handled carefully.
Cut the pungent Durian length wise and remove the fleshy meat from the seeds by hand.
Its the Fruity meat that is so offensive to so many people , in the smell department but I feel different about it now as my taste buds and nose has changed over the years.The seeds are large like the size of a golf ball,but of course my garden coconut is the king in the size department.
Soak the Durian seeds in a large bowl of water for 3 days or until you see a growth tip at the end ,then plant them in a pot side ways and cover with soil so that you see just a bit of the seed .In one or two months you have a durian tree about 7 to 12 inches high.
Seeds for sprouting,gardening and saving is a great way to connect with nature.

“Saving seeds is a gift from nature that should not be ignored.”

Barry Gourmet & Raw

Joseph J. Woods


Image by jajacks62
12th IA. Cavalry
The following information was provided by Ben F. Woods, Jf. (Joseph J. Woods was his Great Grandfathers brother):
Life of Colonel Joseph Jackson Woods
By: Major D. W. Reed, Twelfth Iowa
Colonel Joseph Jackson Woods was born January 11, 1823, on a farm in Brown County, Ohio. His ancestors came from Ireland but were not of the Irish race. Some of them were in Londonberry during the famous siege of that place in 1689. His grandfather, James Woods, came to America in 1773 and settled in Pennsylvania, where the father of the subject of this sketch, Samuel Woods, was born in the same year 1773. James Woods engaged during a part of the Revolution in furnishing supplies to the army.
The mother of Joseph J. Woods was born in Ireland in 1785, and came to America at the age of six or seven years; her maiden name was Richey. Joseph was the youngest son that arrived at mature age of a numerous family; his father being at the time of his birth fifty years old, and having been in his prime of more than average ability among the farming class to which he belonged, but while Joseph was yet young his father became a physical, financial, and mental wreck, so that at the age of ten years, Joseph was thrown on the world to succeed by his own resources.
He went with his older brother, John, just then married, to Rush County, Indiana, where they settled in a dense forest. He remained in Indiana two years and then returned to Ohio and lived with relatives until he was fourteen years old when he was apprenticed to Joseph Parish (late secretary to President Grant, to sign land patents) in Felicity, Clermont County, Ohio, to learn the saddlers trade.
In his early boyhood, while at school, which was but a small part of the time, he learned rapidly being advance of other children his age. He never attended the public school after his thirteenth year.
He served five years’ apprenticeship with Mr. Parish, working for his board and clothing, and became very proficient in the trade. Working in the winter season until 9 o’clock p. m. five nights a week, he had but little time for mental culture, but fortunately his cousin, Dr. Allen Woods, about this time married a Miss Whipple of Vermont, a lady of culture, who, becoming interested in young Woods, proposed to become his private tutor.
Under this arrangement, by improving every spare moment, he completed a course in arithmetic, English grammar, geography, and obtained a fair knowledge of history from books kindly loaned from the library of Dr. J. M. Woods. At the expiration of his apprenticeship, the Rev. Irvine, Presbyterian minister and graduate of Ohio State University, informed young Woods that as he was about to review his Latin and Greek studies, he would willingly take a pupil and give instructions in those branches free of charge, as a more thorough method of making his review. Under this arrangement young Woods pursued his studies seven months, working mornings and evenings in the saddler’s shop to pay his board.
The first Methodist College established in America was located at Augusta, Kentucky, seven miles from Felicity, Ohio. It was under the joint patronage of the Ohio and Kentucky conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, each conference being entitled to keep at college a certain number of students free of tuition, these to be selected by the presiding elders of the various districts from worthy young men of limited means.
The Rev. W. N. Roper, presiding elder over the district, gave young Woods the appointment and he entered the freshman class in that institution the same year. Although free tuition was provided , he found it difficult to provide for board and clothing and books, therefore by advise of Dr. Woods, he applied for an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point to take the place of U. S. Grant who would graduate the following June. His principle recommendations were from Hon. Alonzo Knowles, the leading Democratic politician at Felicity, Ohio, and Jesse R. Grant, Whig, then of Bethel, Ohio. There were several competitors for the appointment and Dr. Doan, member of Congress, declined to make a selection but sent the papers to the war department where the appointment was given to Woods and he entered the academy in June 1843.
Seventy-five were appointed to this class; thirty-eight graduated in it in 1847, Woods standing No. 3 in his class. During the last year at West Point he was assistant professor as well as student. July 1, 1847 he received his appointment as second lieutenant, in First Regiment United States Artillery.
The war with Mexico was in its height and he was ordered to New York Harbor to drill and organize recruits for the war, where he remained until October 10th, when out of these recruits companies L and M, First Artillery, were organized and Lieutenant Woods was ordered to proceed with these companies to Vera Cruz, Mexico, and join his company, C, to which he had been assigned, in Northern Mexico.
The command sailed from New York, October 10th, on the ship "Empire." The weather was boisterous and after four days of invisible sun the ship ran upon a coral reef–entirely covered by water–breaking a large hole in the vessel, when she settled down and broke in two. They were by captains reckoning, fifty miles from shore, but upon partially clearing off, they perceived a small uninhabited island called Fowl Key about one half mile distant and daylight brought to view Abaco, the largest of the Bahama group, at a distance of about five miles. Wreckers came to the assistance of the ship and about 10 o’clock a. m., they landed the soldiers on Fowl Key where they remained one week.
Vessels were then procured to take part of the command to Charleston, South Carolina. The balance with Lieutenant Woods was taken to Nassau, new Providence, since famous as the rendezvous for rebel cruisers. Remaining here eight days, he then in company with Lieutenant Morris, sailed for Charleston where they remained at Fort Moultrie until December 25, 1847, when they again sailed for Vera Cruz in the ship "Republic" sent out from New York for that purpose.
On January 1, 1848, as they were entering the port of Vera Cruz, a terrible "Norther" struck the vessel carrying them out to sea. They finally landed January 5th and found that a majority of the regiment to which the command was assigned was on garrison duty in the city, but Company C, to which Lieutenant Woods had been assigned was in northern Mexico. Woods was therefore transfered to Company M, and assigned to duty with the regiment at Vera Cruz. In May he had yellow fever and was very sick. About August 1, 1848, peace having been declared, Vera Cruz was evacuated and our troops immediately embarked for New York, companies L and M taking passage on the screw propeller "Massachusetts."
In October, 1848, Woods was promoted to first lieutenant, and November 10, 1848, embarked on board the "Massachusetts" with companies L and M for Oregon to quell disturbance recently arisen there, in which Dr. Whitman and a number of missionaries had been murdered.
The expedition was under the command of Brevet Major Hathaway, and Lieutenant Woods was a quartermaster and commissary. These were the first United States troops ever in Oregon. On the passage, about January 1st, the ship was put into port at Rio Janeiro, Brazil, and remained several days, giving the officers the opportunity of inspecting the city. Imperial Gardens, where all tropical fruits were growing, the foundries, and other places of interest. Lieutenant Woods was taken through the convent of the monks of St. Bernardine and was present at the Imperial Chapel when the Emperor and Empress partook of midnight mass, the going out of the year 1848.
Sailing out of Rio Janeiro they passed the Falkland Islands and entered the Straits of Magellan, with Patagonia on the right and Terra Del Fuego on the left, and were one week in the straights sailing only by daylight and such distances as would insure good harbors by night. There were two convict settlements on the straights and some Indians. The officers enjoyed frequent rambles on shore. At Valparaiso, Chili, they were shown specimens of gold recently taken from newly discovered gold mines in California.
The next point made was the Sandwich Islands, where they arrived in fifty-two days and remained eight days. They were constantly feted by the king as theirs was the first steamer ever seen by him. The officers gave the king and queen an excursion on board the steamer accompied by the royal retinue. The expedition reached the mouth of the Columbia River May 9, 1849–six months out of New York and having sailed twenty-two thousand miles–they proceeded up the river ninety miles to Fort Vancouver, the headquarters of the Hudson Bay Company, situated on the north bank of the Columbia River–what is now Washington. Here Company L, to which Woods now belonged landed, and Company M was ordered to Puget Sound.
In the spring of 1850 Lieutenant Woods with Company L was removed to Astoria near the mouth of the river and from this point Lieutenant Woods with two white men and two Indians attempted to find a practicable wagon road from Astoria to the plains across the coast range of mountains. They found the task more difficult than they anticipated and the party came near starving to death, living for some time on such provisions as they could find in the woods upon the mountains.
At another time Lieutenant Woods went in a row boat with the collector of the post of Astoria and a detail of men in the evening to seize a ship for violating the revenue laws. They ran along side the ship as she lay at anchor near the mouth of the river. The collector tried to climb the ladder hanging over the side but failed, when Lieutenant Woods and one man mounted the ladders and reached the deck when the ropes were cut by the ship’s crew, the ladder fell into the collectors boat and he pulled for shore leaving the lieutenant on board but calling back to him that he would come for him in the morning.
The ship hoisted anchor and immediately put to sea. The collector secured a pilot boat armed with a cannon and gave chase, but after a few hours’ pursuit and firing a few shots, the pilot boat gave up chase. After a tedious run the ship put into a recently discovered bay in the northern part of California, called Humboldt Bay, where several vessels were loading with timber for San Francisco. On one of these the lieutenant secured passage to San Francisco, and from there he secured passage to Astoria where he arrived after an involuntary absence of six weeks.
In April 1851, Lieutenant Woods was ordered with a detachment of men to the Dalles of the Columbia, east of the Cascade Range, where in the heart of Indian country he commanded a small post for eighteen months, the only military post at the time and he the only commissioned officer between the Cascade Mountains and Fort Laramie.
In September 1852, he returned to Fort Vancouver, which had now become a large post and headquarters for the Fourth United States Infantry, and at which place was then stationed several men since famous in history, among them Ulysses S. Grant. In February 1853, Lieutenant Woods received orders to report to the superintendent of the recruiting service at New York City. He sailed February 10th, and reached his destination via San Francisco and Panama.
In Jun 1853, he received leave of absence and visited Iowa and bought land in Clinton and Jackson counties. October 15, 1853, he resigned his commission and removed to his lands in Iowa and in September, 1856, married Miss Kezia Hight in Jones county, Iowa. He engaged in farming in Jackson County, Iowa, until the rebellion broke out, when he tendered his services to the Governor of Iowa and was commissioned Colonel of the 12th Iowa Infantry, Volunteers, October 23, 1861, and ordered to take immediate charge of the regiment then organizing at Camp Union, Dubuque, Iowa.
The regiment was mustered into the United States service by Captain Washington, Thirteenth United States Infantry, November 25, 1861, and on the 28th day of the same month broke camp at Dubuque and proceeded by rail to St. Louis, Missouri, where they arrived on the 30th and went immediately into camp of instruction at Benton Barracks. In January, 1862, the regiment was armed with Enfield rifles and fully equipped for the field.
January 27, 1862, Colonel Woods received orders to report his regiment to General Grant at Cairo, Illinois, where they arrived January 29, and were immediately embarked on board a steamer for Smithland, Kentucky, at the mouth of the Cumberland River, where the regiment established their first camp in the field, January 31, 1862. On the morning of February 5th, orders were received to embark on a steamer and join expedition fitting out for Tennessee River.
Arriving at Paducah, the regiment was assigned to Cook’s Brigade and to C. F. Smith’s division, and on the morning of February 6, landed four miles below Fort Henry, and took up a line of march to gain a position in the rear of the fort, but while floundering through the muddy swamps and almost impassable streams, the gunboats made the attack, drove the enemy from the works and captured the fort, most of the garrison escaping before the infantry reached their position in the rear.
February 12th, the command marched to Fort Donelson and were formed in line of battle, February 13th, on the extreme left, when they participated in the battle of the 13th, 14th and 15th, and followed the Second Iowa Infantry in their charge upon the works.
Colonel Woods in his official report says: About 2 o’clock p. m. of the 15th, the Twelfth Iowa, Fiftieth Illinois, and Birge’s sharpshooters were ordered to make a faint attack to draw the enemy’s fire. The men went cheerfully to the work and kept up a warm fire on the enemy while Colonel Lauman’s brigade on our left advanced on the enemy and got possession of his outer works and hoisted thereon the American flag, when we were ordered to his support and moved rapidly by the left flank, charged over the fallen timber, while a galling fire of grape from the enemy was pouring in on us. On reaching the breastworks some confusion was caused by the retreat of a portion of Colonel Lauman’s brigade, who having exhausted their ammunition, were compelled to fall back. By some exertion our men were rallied and opened a warm fire on the enemy which they returned from a battery on our right and musketry in front. In this cross fire we fought the enemy for two hours, advancing upon them to a deep ravine inside the works. Colonel Cook, who was commanding the brigade, in his report makes mention of Colonel Woods as deserving commendation for his gallant and efficient service.
At nightfall the regiment was withdrawn to the outer works of the enemy, where they remained through the night. Early in the morning of the 16th we were formed in a line to renew the battle, when a white flag appearing, the surrender was announced, and the regiment marched into the fort. With the exception of the Second Iowa Infantry, no troops were entitled to more credit for the capture of this stronghold than the Twelfth Iowa Infantry, and it being their first engagement, their steadiness and coolness was largely due to these qualities so prominent and marked in their commanding officer. The regiment was given quarters in log barracks occupied by rebels before the surrender, and remained in camp until March 12, 1862.
While at Fort Donelson, the regiment was visited by Samuel J. Kirkwood, governor of Iowa, and upon his return to Iowa he wrote to Colonel Woods as follows:
"Des Moines, Iowa, March 22, 1862.
"Dear Colonel Woods: Please apologize to your officers and men for not calling upon them again before I left Donelson. When at General Hurlbert’s headquarters the steamboat "Conestoga" came down and the officer in command politely offered passage in his boat which he said would leave in forty minutes, so we had only time to get our troops on board. Please explain this and express my regret that I could not have spent some time with you.
"The Iowa troops made themselves and our state a glorious name. The Second Iowa had the best chance for the honors at Donelson, but the Seventh, Twelfth and Fourteenth did nobly. Dr. Hughs, surgeon general of Iowa, has a brother in the brigade with your regiment. He says he has just received a letter from his brother, who writes that the Twelfth Iowa is a splendid regiment and fought gallantly at Donelson. Please write me when convenient. Let me advise you to care for your health. I was much pleased to see on my visit to your camp, that you were having it cleaned up nicely. Yours was the only regiment that was doing this. With many wishes for your health and success, I am yours truly,
"Samuel J. Kirkwood"
Resolutions as follows were adopted by the legislature of Iowa:
Joint Resolution.
Resolved by the senate and house of representatives of the State of Iowa. First. That in the name of the whole people of the state, we thank the Iowa troops for their undaunted bravery and gallant conduct in the recent fight at Fort Donelson in which the post of honor they nobly sustained their own brilliant fame and won fresh and unfading laurels for the state. Second. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded of each of the Iowa regiments engaged in the battle of Fort Donelson.
Rush Clark,
Speaker House of Representatives
John R. Needham,
President of the Senate
Approved February 19, 1862,
Samuel J. Kirkwood.
State of Iowa, ss
I, Elijah Sells, Secretary of State, hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the original enrolled resolution on file in my office. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the great seal of the State of Iowa. Done at Des Moines this 20th day of February, 1862.
Elijah Sells.
To Colonel Woods.
March 12, 1862, the command was reorganized and the Second, Seventh, Twelfth and Fourteenth Iowa infantries designated as the First Brigade, commanded by Colonel Tuttle of the Second Iowa, and assigned to Second division, commanded by General C. F. Smith.
Leaving Fort Donelson the division marched to Metal Landing on the Tennessee River and embarked on steamer for Pittsburgh Landing, where they established camp March 21, 1862, on the extreme right of Union line, near the river below the landing.
Early on the morning of April 6th, Colonel Woods formed his regiment on the parade ground and soon after, under the direction of brigade commander, moved to a position assigned to him in line of battle, occupying the left center of Tuttle’s Brigade, forming the extreme left of W. H. L. Wallace’s division, Fourteenth Iowa, next the left of Twelfth Iowa, formed the extreme left of its division and rested on the main road from the landing to Corinth.
The Twelfth Iowa was formed just behind the brow of a slight ridge, an open field in front of its right, a thick undergrowth in front of its left; in this position the troops were reviewed by General Grant, about 10 o’clock a. m., and were directed by him to hold the position at all hazards, and in this exposed position, across the Corinth road, the left brigade of W. H. L. Wallace’s division, and right of Prentiss’ division did sustain itself, not once being removed from its position, although repeatedly charged by the enemy until about 5:30 o’clock p. m. The persistent, desperate fighting done by these troops at this key of the position, delayed the whole Rebel army and saved the Federal army from being driven into the Tennessee River.
All the prominent confederate officers mention the fighting at this place. General Ruggles, commanding a division of Bragg’s army, says, "I ordered my staff officers to bring forward all of the field guns that could be collected from the left, which resulted in the concentration of ten batteries and one section as follows: (enumerates them), concentrating their fire enfilading Prentiss’ division on right flank, at this moment Second brigade and the Cresent Regiment pressed forward and cut off a considerable number of the enemy consisting of Prentiss” division, who were surrendered to the Cresent Regiment.
General Polk, commanding army corps, says: "About 5 o’clock p. m., my line attacked the enemy’s troops–the last that were left on the field. The attack was made in front and flank. The resistance was sharp and proved to be the commands of Generals Prentiss and W. H. L. Wallace. The latter was killed by troops of General Bragg, who was pressing him at the same time on his right."
Colonel Head, Seventeenth Louisiana Volunteers, says: "Between 1 and 2 o’clock on Sunday, we had carried all the enemy’s camps except Prentiss’. At this point the enemy made a determined stand and fro two hours success at that point seemed doubtful. I was ordered by General Ruggles to immediately bring up all the artillery and concentrate it upon this point. Assisted by the artillery fire the infantry succeeded in carrying the position and capturing General Prentiss and about two thousand men."
General Gibbons, commanding brigade, admits that his brigade was repulsed four different times and because he felt sensitive over the matter of official reports, asked a court of inquiry. Several other officers admit their repulse and the complete demoralization of their forces at this point and so great was the slaughter of the enemy that they gave to that point of the line immediately in front of the Twelfth, Fourteenth and Eighth Iowa the title or name of "Hornets’ Nest."
About 5:30 O’clock, General Wallace having been mortally wounded , General Tuttle succeeded to the command of the division, McClerand’s division on our right and Hurlbert’s on the left having fallen back to a new position near the river, Tuttle gave orders for his division to fall back, and the order was communicated to all regiments except the Twelfth and Fourteenth Iowa and they were safely conducted to the rear, but the aide sent to these regiments was killed before reaching them, General Tuttle claims, and they were left fighting the enemy in front until the enemy rushed around their flank exposed by withdrawal balance of division formed in the rear. Having just repulsed a desperate charge in front, the regiment was startled by the order given by Colonel Woods with no more excitement than when on parade. "Twelfth Iowa; about face; commence firing," when they beheld a full and perfect line of Grey formed in their rear. Delivering a few vollies into the face of this new enemy which broke their ranks, a charge was ordered.
Colonel Woods at the head of the regiment succeeded in cutting his way through the first line of enemy and arrived in the camp of the 3rd Iowa, near General Hurlbert’s headquarters where they encountered another line of the enemy drawn up in order across the line of retreat. Here, hemmed in by a perfect wall of fire, Colonel Woods was twice wounded in quick succession and dismounted.
Command of regiment then devolved to Captain Edgerton, who finding it impossible to cut his way out, surrendered the remnant of the regiment prisoners of war. At the same time there was surrendered the Fourteenth Iowa of Wallace’s division, and the Eighth Iowa and Fifty-eighth Illinois of Prentiss’s division; in all about two thousand men. General Prentiss, was present at the time, and taken prisoner with the rest, speaks in the highest terms in the conduct of Colonel Woods and his regiment in the field and says that to the persistent fighting of these four regiments, holding their grounds against such fearful odds, is due to the failure of Beauregard to drive our forces into the Tennessee River.
General Tuttle in his official report says: "On the morning of the 6th I proceeded my brigade, consisting of the Second, Seventh, Twelfth and Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, under direction of W. H. L. Wallace, and formed line on extreme left of his division. We had been in line but a few moments when the enemy made his appearance and attacked my left wing, Twelfth and Fourteenth Iowa, who gallantly stood their ground and compelled the assailants to retire in confusion. They again formed under cover of a battery and renewed the attack upon my whole line but were repulsed as before. A third and fourth time they dashed upon us but were each time baffled and completely routed.
We held our position about six hours, when it became evident that the forces on each side of us had given away, so as to give the enemy an opportunity of turning both of our flanks. At this critical moment General Wallace gave orders for my brigade to retire which was done in good order. The Second and Seventh retired through a severe fire from both flanks, while the Twelfth and Fourteenth, who were delayed by their endeavor to save a battery, were completely surrounded and compelled to surrender. Colonel Woods of the Twelfth Iowa particularly distinguished himself, was twice wounded and when the enemy was driven back on Monday he was captured."
Colonel Woods lay on the field wounded and was assaulted by some Texas troops with evident design of taking his life, but just at that moment he was recognized by General Hardee, with whom he had been acquainted at West Point, who gave him a special guard, and permit to Woods’ orderly to remain with him.
Soon after the surrender our gunboats commenced throwing shells into that vicinity, driving all the rebel troops from the field. None of the wounded were removed or cared for, but lay upon the field exposed to our shells and a severe rain storm all night. When our forces advanced Monday mourning, Colonel Woods was recaptured, wounds dressed, and a few days after he was sent north where he was detailed on recruiting service and remained on duty in the State of Iowa until about January 1, 1863. The men of his regiment who were captured at Shiloh, having been exchanged, he was ordered to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, to reorganize his regiment, and soon after he was sent to Rolla, Missouri, where he remained a short time and then returned to St. Louis.
April 9, 1863, he embarked his regiment on board steamer under orders to join forces operating near Vicksburg, Mississippi.
He reported to General Grant at Duckport, Louisiana, April 14th at once was assigned to the command of the Third Brigade composed of the Eighth, Twelfth, and Thirty-Fifth Iowa infantries, Third Division, Fifteenth Army Corps. Heavy details were made from the brigade daily for guard and also work on the canal.
May 1st, Colonel Mathias of the Fifth Iowa was assigned to command, and Colonel Woods returned to command his regiment and May 2, 1863, left Duckport, Louisiana, with his regiment and marched via Richmond, Louisiana, to Grand Gulf, thence to Jackson, Mississippi, where the Twelfth Iowa was engaged on the 14th in the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, on extreme right of the line. Companies B and C on the skirmish line were among the first troops inside the rebel works, and took possession of the rebel camp with all of its equipage complete and diner ready to be eaten.
The regiment remained in Jackson one and a half days, employed first day in destroying railroad running north, and forenoon of the 16th in destroying rebel camps and other property. At 12 o’clock orders were received to reinforce the other corps of the army near Champion Hill as speedily as possible.
Leaving Jackson, the regiment marched with scarcely a halt to near Champion Hill where they arrived about 2 o’clock in the morning of the 17th, and after a rest of two or three hours marched north to a position on extreme right of Grants line and at night crossed Black River at Bridgeport. On the 18th the Fifteenth Corps with First Division in advance, took the road at Walnut Hills, pressing the corps between the rebels in Vicksburg and those at Yazoo River until the head of the column reached the Mississippi above Vicksburg, and the left rested on Jackson road. On the 19th the Third Brigade was sent to Yazoo River and took possession of the forts there, and opened communication with our fleet and after dismantling the fort, the brigade returned to position in line investing Vicksburg, and participated as reserve in the assaults made upon the works on the 19th and 2nd of May.
About June 1st, Colonel Woods was again assigned to command the brigade, which had gained an advance position in the line of approaches, and furnished daily heavy details for guard and for work in the trenches. Nearly every night the whole brigade was called into line by some alarm on the picket post.
June 22d, the brigade was relieved from its place in front line and with the remainder of the Fifteenth Corps sent back to Black River to guard the rear from an attack by Johnson; very heavy guard and patrol duty was kept up then until July 4th. Vicksburg surrendered and Sherman moved immediately upon Johnson, forcing a crossing of Black River the same day, and pushing Johnson back until he reached Jackson, Mississippi, which had been again strongly fortified. Sherman invested the place July 10th, and commenced a regular siege.
On July 15th, General Tuttle reported sick and Colonel Woods was assigned to command of the division, and next day moved his division to the right and relieved General Osterhan’s division from its place on the advance line.
On the 17th the rebels evacuated Jackson and burned the bridge over Pearl River, planting torpedo’s in the approaches to the bridge and ferry. On the 19th, the Third Brigade, Third Division, Fifteenth Corps with some other troops, including cavalry and artillery, pursued the enemy to Brandon, Mississippi, driving them through the town and capturing considerable rebel property stored in the railroad depot and warehouses which were all destroyed, and the next day the troops returned to Jackson, and a few days thereafter evacuated Jackson and fell behind Black River and went into camp July 25, 1863. Colonel Woods commanded the division until sometime in October, when General Asboth was assigned to the command and Colonel Woods returned to the command of the brigade.
November 7th the division embarked for Memphis, Tennessee, and the Third Brigade was assigned to duty guarding the railroad from Lagrange to Corinth, each regiment at a different post. Frequent skirmishes were had with the enemy and one severe engagement lasting nearly all day, brought on by the enemy in force attempting to destroy the railroad.
The Twelfth Iowa, stationed at Chewalla, reenlisted December 25, 1863. January 29, 1864, the brigade was ordered to Vicksburg and were on duty at Black River one month, while Sherman’s expedition was out of Meridian, Mississippi. Upon the return of said expedition, the non-veterans of the brigade were sent on an expedition up the Red River, the veterans ordered home on furlough. Reaching Davenport March 22nd, they were furloughed thirty days, at expiration of which time they returned to Davenport March 22d, and were assigned to the Third Brigade, Colonel Woods commanding; First Division, General J. A. Mower commanding; Sixteenth Army Corps, General A. J. Smith commanding. During the summer this command made two expeditions into the interior and July 13th, 14th and 15th, fought the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, the Third Brigade doing most of the fighting and with their commander received great credit for their efficient service.
September 1st, the division embarked on steamer from Memphis and proceeded to Duvall’s Bluffs, Arkansas, and marched thence north in pursuit of Price, who had crossed the Arkansas River and started on a trip through Missouri.
The command marched to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, three hundred and thirty six mile in seventeen days; from Cape Girardeau to St. Louis in a steamboat where they arrived October 8, 1864. General Mower was transfered to General Sherman’s command at Atlanta, and Colonel Woods assigned to command of division and proceeded on steamer to Jefferson City, Missouri, arriving October 17th, and marched in pursuit of Price to Kansas City, thence south to Harrisonville, Missouri, keeping within sound of his guns but not succeeding in bringing him to battle. His command having been completely broken up, the infantry was ordered back to St. Louis, October 30th, marching via Sedalia and Jefferson City.
At Sedalia, Missouri, the troops were met by General McArthur, who had been assigned to command of division, and Colonel Woods returned to command of brigade, and through storms of snow and rain and fording streams filled with floating ice, marched his command back to St. Louis where they arrived November 15th, his brigade having marched within the last thirty days five hundred and forty three miles–within the last sixty days eight hundred and seventy-nine miles, and since June 16th, one thousand four hundred and nine miles.
At St. Louis, having served more than his full term of enlistment, Colonel Woods was mustered out of service, acceptably and with honor to himself and to the service.
Colonel Woods had a slender, stooping form, brown hair, light complexion, and mild blue eyes. He spoke slowly and kindly, and was accustomed to give his commands with great coolness and deliberation, never under the hottest fire varying in the least the modulation or deliberation of his orders.
His "Fall in, Twelfth Iowa!" on the 6th of April, 1862, or at time of a night alarm during the siege of Vicksburg, was heard by his men above every other sound, and always in the same tone as when on parade or review.
He had none of the style or austere manners of the regular army officers, and while very familiar and easy of approach by his subordinates, was a good disciplinarian and the men soon learned that he possessed great worth as a commanding officer, and while personally of the bravest and willing to lead his regiment to the severest contest, yet devoid of all rashness that would sacrifice his men without good reason.
His service richly merited recognition at Washington that he never received, but with him modestly blocked the wheels of promotion, and I doubt not it would be impossible to find any of his superior officers who would say that Colonel Woods ever sought promotion at their hands in any way but a faithful and earnest discharge of his duties in whatever command he was placed. His muster out was deeply regretted by all his old comrades, and especially by the men whom he had so often led and who had learned to appreciate the quiet but brave and generous Colonel Woods.
Upon his return home he removed from the farm in Maquoketa, where in company with C. F. McCarron, he purchased the "Maquoketa Excelsior," of which he became editor.
In the fall of 1867 he sold his interest in said paper and moved upon his farm in South Fork township, but in the next year returned to Maquoketa, and McCarron having failed to make payments on the paper and being involved in other losses where Woods was his security, he had to pay the loss. Woods again took control of the paper and published it until May, 1869, when he removed to Kansas.
In 1871 he was on the board of visitors at West Point, appointed by General Grant, and the same fall was one of three commissioners appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to appraise the Cherokee mutual lands in Indian Territory, west of the 96th meridian, and was also appointed the same fall, receiver of Humboldt land district, but declined the appointment. The same fall he was elected to the Kansas legislature, which convened in January, 1872. In March he was appointed one of the regents of the State University, He was a member of the Kansas legislature in 1875, and chairman of the committee on ways and means.

William Cutler wrote the following about this gentleman:
COL. J. J. WOODS, farmer and stock raiser, Section 8, Township 32, Range 21, P. O. Montana, came to Labette County, Kansas, June 11, 1869, and purchased his present farm which now consists of 760 acres of very fine improved land. He was born in Brown County, Ohio, January 11, 1823, is a son of Samuel and Allia Richey Woods, the father a native of Washington County, Pa., and the mother of Ireland, and when quite small came to America. They were married in Clermont County, Ohio, and settled on a farm, having a family of twelve children. J. J., eleven years of age, with a brother, went to Rush County, Ind., and remained two years, and then returned to Brown County, Ohio, and learned the saddler’s and harness trade. When twenty years of age, he entered the Augusta College of Kentucky and after five months, received an appointment to West Point. He graduated there in the class of 1847, and was appointed Second Lieutenant in First Regiment Artillery, U. S. A., and did service in the Mexican war, August, 1848. He returned to the states and was promoted to First Lieutenant November 10, 1848, and assigned to the Pacific coast, remaining there until 1853, then returned to New York and resigned his commission. In the fall of 1853 he went to Jackson County, Iowa and engaged in farming. September 18, 1856, he married Miss K. C. Hight, a native of Defiance County, Ohio, born April 5, 1840. They have five children – Oscar E., born October 2, 1857; Lillia A., born December 23, 1859. Clara E., born October 8, 1868; Nellie E., born February 10, 1877; and Jennie L., born June 28, 1880. Lost two children. October, 1861, he received a Colonel’s commission of the Twelfth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Company, and did active service for three years. He was many times in command of a brigade, participating in the engagements of Fort Henry, Donelson, Vicksburg and Shiloh, where he received two wounds. During 1864, he participated in the long and tedious marches through Missouri after General Sterling Price. After the command he returned to St. Louis, and was mustered out November 26, 1864 and returned to Iowa. In 1865, Mr. Woods became editor of the Maquoketa, Iowa, Excelsior, and continued to edit it with a short intermission, until he removed to Kansas. In 1871 he was appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, one of a commission of three to appraise the Cherokee lands west of the 96? degree in the Indian Territory, and in the same year was also one of the committee of seven, sent to West Point by General U. S. Grant. In 1872, was elected State Representative from Labette County, Kansas, and again in 1875, being Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and before the close of the legislative session of 1872, was appointed a Regent of the Kansas State University. He has filled many public offices in Kansas having been Notary Public some twelve years and is one of Labette’s most representative men.

The Parsons Sun, Friday, Thursday, October 3, 1889, Pg. 1:

Death of Col. J. J. Woods

Col. J. J. Woods died at his residence in Montana township, of hemorage of the kidneys at the age of 66 years Friday morning, after an illness of ten days. Col. Woods was an old settler of this county, a substantial and highly respected citizen, and his death will be deplored throughout the entire county, his acquaintance extending into every township. He was a graduate of West Point, graduating in 1846, and was from the same congressional district from which Ulysses S. Grant went to West Point, the colonel being the next cadet chosen after Grant. After he graduated he was commissioned to a regiment in the Mexican war as a lieutenant and was placed in charge of the citadel near the city of Veracruz. After peace was declared he turned over the citadel to the Mexican authorities. At the breaking out of the rebellion he recruited the 12th Iowa infantry, of which he was made colonel. He was wounded twice at the battle of Shiloh and was taken prisoner alone with his regiment and held over night, but was recaptured the next morning by the Union forces and sent home, and as soon as his wounds would permit he recruited men for the war until his regiment was exchanged, when he again took command of it and fought, many a hard battle until the close of the war. He was twice appointed by President Grant to the office of inspector at West Point. He removed from Iowa to Kansas in May, 1869 and settled on the farm in Montana township, this county, where he died, and which is now occupied by his family, consisting of a wife and grown children. He was a staunch Republican, twice represented his district in the legislature, and was always prominent in politics. The remains were interred in the G. A. R. lot at Oakwood cemetery at 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon, the G. A. R. of this city forming in procession at their hall on Forest avenue and marching to the junction of the Johnson avenue road and the road leading to the cemetery, where they met and escorted the remains to the cemetery.

Uh Oh, Dad’s Got a New Toy


Image by Michael Connell
Yep, it’s true. I got a new toy yesterday. For some time now, I’ve been researching the Fuji X100. I’ve practically memorized the specs and I’ve looked at probably thousands of sample images with pixel peeping scrutiny. I decided that I "needed" one. It was too expensive to buy outright, so I sacrificed my beloved Olympus E-PL1 and my first DSLR, a Canon 30D that has been gathering dust since I went to a 5D over a year ago. I kind of hated to lose the E-PL1. It’s a great camera and it could change lenses, something the new camera can’t do. Since I rarely removed the 20mm lens (40mm equivalent) from it, I was OK with my choice. In every aspect, the X100 is just so much better. The fixed lens is a 35mm equivalent prime and I’m perfectly OK with that.

I’ll do a review on the X100 on my blog later after I have more time to play with it. For today’s shot, I’m sharing one of the first test shots. To see what this camera could do, I shot under one of the worst circumstances I can think of – in my office! My office is lit by a lone bulb behind a thick glazed glass fixture on a ceiling fan. It’s horrid light and I usually leave it off when I’m working at my computer. In the evening, the light in my office meters at about ISO 3200, f/2, to get anywhere near 1/60ish shutter speed. In that environment, lets photograph a white (kind of cream color actually) dog laying on a black bed. Auto focus, meter and white balance that, Fuji!

The shot you see here is straight out of camera except for a little cropping in Lightroom. I set ISO to 3200, aperture priority at f/2, default pattern metering, auto WB, auto focus on subject’s eye. I was close enough to Chloe here that I had to use macro mode for auto focus to lock on. Given the conditions, I’m very impressed with the camera’s JPEG. That’s saying a lot. Those who know me know that I only shoot RAW and roll my own JPEGs. This camera may change my mind about that. The image is just slightly warm, but the exposure is balanced well, with no blown highlights. The histogram has a nice spread showing good capture of the dynamic range. I can easily tweak the WB, but I didn’t because I wanted to show exactly what the camera captured. Neither my E-PL1 or my 5D could get WB anywhere close in my office. I usually got some sickening orange tint with auto WB with those two! The X100′s in-camera noise reduction is quite good. There appears to be some slight loss of detail, but the DoF is also very shallow at f/2 and close in so I’m losing some of the hair texture from that. Shadow noise is controlled pretty well with only slight blotchy noise in the shadows under my desk. Autofocus did pretty well at locking on the eyes. It’s common for other cameras I’ve played with to slip up and grab the noise on dogs. Sharpness is reasonable given the shutter speed of 1/20 that the camera chose. I laid on the floor and steadied the camera with my elbows locked down on the floor. I did try ISO 6400 for a faster shutter speed, but the noise grain was a little much for my tastes – fine for posting to the web though.

I’ll have more shots to share as I put this camera through its paces. So far, I’m really happy with it. Stay tuned for a full review!

Hit ‘L’ for large on black!

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