USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > Muscatine > First and second re-unions of the Thirty-fifth Iowa infantry held at Muscatine, Iowa. First re-union, September 29, 1886. Second re-union, October 2 and 3, 1889 > Part 1
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M. L.
Go 973.74 Io9101 1886-89 1989657
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01479 4306 E
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1
FIRST AND SECOND
2md
OF THE
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Thirty~Fifth +lowa + Infantry, 35 th
1886-1889
HELD AT
MUSCATINE, IOWA.
FIRST RE-UNION,
September 29, 1886.
SECOND RE-UNION.'
October 2 and 3, 1889.
MUSCATINE, IOWA : JJOURNAL PRINTING COMPANY, 1889 90.
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/firstsecondreuni00iowa
1989657
MUSCATINE, IOWA, Jannary Ist, 1890
DEAR COMRADE:
This Book contains the proceedings of the Two Re-unions held by our Regiment. May it come to you as a Happy New Year's greeting, and may it find you in more pleasant lines than you were twenty-five years ago
For the full reports of the two Re-unions, I am under many obligations to Mr. Geo. W. Van Horne, of the Muscatine Daily Journal and News- Tribune, and Mr. Win. M. Narvis, of the Muscatine Daily Tribune and Journa!, city editors of those papers during the first and second Re-unions respectively.
The Roster of the Regiment is copied from the Adjutant-General's Re- port.
The list of Names and Addresses of living comrades, is compiled from the official list of Union soldiers living in Iowa; the reports of the Adjutant- Generals of Kansas and Nebraska; from the register of the Regimental Association, and names furnished by interested comrades. To the latter I feel much obliged for the service thus rendered.
The portraits are furnished by the officers themselves, or their friends, at iny request, such request being general.
For the grand success of the two Re-unions, the Regiment is indebted to Comrades Thompson, Schmidt, Wiles and Berry, of the Local and Exec- utive Committees.
This book is small, but full of interest to all members of the 35th Iowa. . Read the Old Roster and then study the Latest, and hunt up your old com- rados, for time is short and we are all on the homeward march, and camp will soon be reached. Gather your data and stories, and get ready to meet one and all, if possible, at our next Re-union.
Yours in the pleasant memories of 1862 and 1865,
With Iowa's Regiment, 35
ROBT. B. BAIRD,
Secretary association, 35th lowa Regiment.
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1290
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S. G. HILL, Colonel 35th Regiment, Iowa Vol. Inf.
FIRST AND SECOND
TRESUNION'S
OF THE -
Thirty-Fifth +lowa + Infantry,
HELD AT
MUSCATINE, IOWA.
FIRST RE-UNION,
September 29, 1886.
SECOND RE-UNION.' -
October 2 and 3, 1889.
1
MUSCATINE, IOWA: JOURNAL PRINTING COMPANY, 1889-90.
.16
THE BRAVE THIRTY-FIFTH.
IT ASSEMBLES TO-DAY AT ITS FIRST RE-UNION AFTER THE WAR.
MUSCATINE, IOWA, September 29th, 1886.
HE FIRST RE-UNION, twenty-one years after the War. To think of it makes the old soldier young, and sends the blood coursing through his veins as it has not done for years.
But to be there, to take the hand of him who touched elbow to elbow with you at Vicksburg or Nashville, to clasp the hand of him with whom "you drank from the same canteen," or who shared his last hard-tack with you; to feel the strong grasp of the hand, to see the eyes fill with tears and feel that you for a moment are getting weak; such a meeting can only be appreciated by an old soldier, and even he cannot describe it and do the subject justice.
"Let us have the 35th come here and have a Re-union," said Berry, Bod- man, Kelley, Wiles and others of Muscatine, "it is twenty-one years since we separated." So said, so done. The boys went to work and the women helped, and on this bright, proud day, owing to the generosity of its citi- zens and the indefatigable exertions of the local committee, the old Thirty- Fifth is here, the guest of the proud city that sent it forth to do battle for the country twenty-four years ago. It celebrates to-day its return to Mus- catinfe. After three years' valiant service in the field, it paid a passing call to the city of its nativity on its way to the mustering out at Davenport. But to-day the Regiment rejoices Muscatine by a grand home visit, and the city has received it with all the honors. From doorway and window, balcony an 1 housetop and flagstaff, have waved the banners of welcome.
HEADQUARTERS.
The Regiment was well pleased with the beauty of its headquarters-the Opera House,-generously tendered by Lyman Olds, Esq. The pillars and gallery of the Hall were handsomely hung and festooned with bunting and banners, and the stage was transformed into a picture of tent life. The drop scene in the rear showed a wild rebel country, with a "Headquarters" tent pitched in front, and muskets stacked at the sides. The half-drawn curtain
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FIRST RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
of the tent revealed a suspicious cluster of bottles. Resting near the stacked arms was seen the old tattered guidon, and on either side of the stage stood the shell and shot-torn flag and colors of the regiment. In keeping with these sacred relies, Col. Keeler exhibited the original muster- roll of Co. A. On the walls of the proscenium hung the portraits of Col. Sylvester G. Hill, killed at Nashville, and Major Win. Dill, recently de- ceased in this city; also the portrait of Comrade Grotus, of Co. D.
A Rebel flag, with its stars and bars, is also among the stage attractions.
The veterans in the city, led by Becke's Drum Corps, marched to the Depot at 7:30 o'clock to receive Col. Win. B. Keeler, and the boys from Wilton. Upon the arrival of the train, the column formed under the lead of the Wilton Band, and marched to headquarters.
THE ASSOCIATION.
At 8:30 o'clock the Regiment was called to order, and proceeded at once to the permanent organization of an Association, with the following officers:
President-W. B. Keeler, Chicago, Il1.
Ist Vice-President-E. Wright, Omaha, Neh.
211d Vice-President-L. F. Creitz, Wilton, Iowa.
3rd Vice-President-G. W. H. Lucas, Cherokee, Kans.
4th Vice-President-J. W. Berry, Muscatine, Iowa.
5th Vice-President-Geo. Baxter, West Liberty, Iowa.
6th Vice-President-O. H. P. Linn, Lettsville, Iowa. Secretary-Robt. B. Baird, Muscatine, Iowa.
Corresponding Secretary -- W. H. Woodward, Muscatine, Iowa.
Treasurer-Herman Schmidt, Muscatine, Iowa.
Executive Committee-Herman Schmidt, R. B. Baird, W. H. Wood- ward.
Committee on Resolutions-Henry O'Connor, F: W. Evans, S. M. Cobb. . The organization being perfected, letters were read by the Secretary from Lient-Col. Rothrock and Col. Win. R. Marshall, of the 7th Minnesota, (who took command of the Brigade after Col. Hill fell at Nashville, ) Adjutant F. L. Dayton, of Kansas; Sergt-Major Al. Sibley, of New York, and many others of the Regiment; and Generals Sherman and Tuttle, and Col. W. T. Shaw, of the 14th Iowa, regretting their inability to attend.
The following letter from Gen. J. A. McArthur, of Chicago, was read:
* * It would indeed, be a pleasure to me to meet again, after the lapse of so many years, the survivors of that grand old Regiment whose first introduction to my command challenged my admiration. The morning after it arrived found it on the picket line. The Johnnies discov- ered something fresh in their front, and at daylight attempted to have some
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FIRST RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
fun at the expense of the 35th. The firing became so heavy that I visited the line to ascertain the cause. On enquiring for the officer in command, Col. Keeler rode up and gave the information asked for. It was all so satisfactory, that in a few words complimenting them, I turned to go back to headquarters, remarking that I considered that part of the line safe, al- though it was a trying place for a new regiment. The Colonel modestly replied: "Yes, General, you may go back and get your coffee with perfect "safety; the 35th Iowa is here, and when convenient for you, bring on your "rebellion." I had intended to tell this story on the Colonel personally to the "boys," but business engagements prevent me being present, and as it is too good to be lost, I have related it here.
"Bring on your rebellion" brought the Regiment to its feet, with "music from the band," boys yelling "A new Regiment!"
"A new Regiment" was pretty good, when the incident happened on the first day of the investment of Spanish Fort, Alabama, in 1865, the last fight the Regiment was in. The boys thought Gen. McArthur had gotten his Regiments mixed.
Announcements for the day and evening were made by the President, and this was followed by the registration of comrades and the distribution of badges. The Regimental badge, provided by the committee, is an ele- gant silk ribbon, richly mounted by gold clasps and fringe, prepared by Muscatine ladies, and bearing the following inscriptions: "1862-65: First "Re-union, 35th Regt., Iowa Vol. Infantry, Sept. 29th, '86, Muscatine, "Iowa."
THE PARADE.
At II o'clock the regiment formed in column of march on the Avenue, amid a vast throng of spectators, the line extending from Third to Second street. As the Veterans passed along the line hunting for their companies, hands were thrust forward, shouts of recognition resounded, jokes and laughter abounded.
The column is headed by a platoon of Muscatine police, followed by the Wilton band. Then came the Regimeut's parade escort, the Muscatine Rifles the champion military company of the northwest, and fresh from celebrating their splendid victories at Jacksonville, carrying in their column their ele- gant fascicle of streamers bearing the names of Mobile, Dubuque, Rock Island, Jacksonville, and other arenas of victory. Behind the Rifles came Becke's Drum Corps, followed by Shelby Norman Post, G. A. R., of this city, with the Post flag. Next, the Regiment. The Regiment was followed by carriages containing the City Council and guests of the day.
THE MARCH.
The line of march wound over the west hill and through Second street to the Third Ward, and back to Armory Hall, where the noou banquet was
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FIRST RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
spread. The finest effect of the parade was seen in the march down west Second street hill, and the procession through this flag-streaming avenue.
There were plenty of admiring eyes for the escorting Rifles, and every- body felt like renewing the cheers of last night over the champions; but it was when the "Old 35th" appeared, stepping and swinging to the music of "Marching through Georgia," that the eyes of citizens unconsciously swelled with tears, and we doubt if the choken throats of the spectators were hardly in condition for saying more than "God bless the survivors of the old regiment."
THE BANQUET.
The march ended at Armory Hall, beautifully decorated for the banquet, and whose tables groaned beneath the weight of the rich viands and delica- cies prepared for the home-feast of the 35th. Three hundred persons sat down to this "Thanksgiving" spread. If there was anything lacking in its ยท bounty, its rare dishes, its confections and its ornamentation, the critic- jealous for Muscatine's taste and generosity-failed to detect it.
THE AFTERNOON.
At 2 o'clock Col. Keeler formed the Regiment on the Avenue, to be shot at by the camera of Mr. Edwards, the photographer, and a fine picture was obtained.
Then the roll beat for the Regiment and the public to assemble at head- quarters in the Opera House.
THE SPEAKING.
The Hall was filled with visitors and citizens of both sexes. The deco- rations were completed by an evergreen arch spanning the stage, lettered in white with "WKI,COME HOME." From the center of the arch was sus- pended a floral horse-shoe, enclosing the magic figures "35." .
On the stage with Col. Keeler, sat Chaplain F. W. Evans, Hon. S. J. Kirkwood, Hon. John A. Parvin, Hon. R. M. Burnett, Mayor J. M. Gobble, City Attorney H. J. Lauder, and Comrades Wiles and Berry. Col. Keelor called the assembly to order and introduced Mr. Lander, who delivered the
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
This address was an eloquent recital of National events leading up to the mustering in of the 35th Regiment, in September, 1862, and in its recapitu- lation of history referred to the fact, that Muscatine County raised the first Company of Iowa Volunteers, and sent two Companies of the Iowa First to the war. 'She contributed eight Companies of the 35th. Though the thir- teenth in population, she gave more soldiers to the cause of the Union than
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FIRST RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
any other county in the State, her enlistments numbering 20 Companies of Infantry and four of Cavalry, with a grand total of 2, 159 in a male popula- tion of 8,605. She organized and carried on the first great Sanitary Fair in the State. She erected to the memory of her soldier dead the first statuary monument in Iowa. The words of welcome that followed this review of . Muscatine's patriotism, glowed with genial and hearty hospitality. The address was heartily received by the boys.
At its conclusion, the President introduced Chaplain F. W. Evans, who delivered the oration of the day. This brilliant address deals with the his- tory of the Regiment until after the battle of Tupelo, Miss., July 14, 1864. It is an address which every member of the Regiment will cherish as the story of the most eventful years of his life, and every citizen of Muscatine will read it and keep it as a part of the most precious history of the country.
CHAPLAIN F. W. EVANS' ORATION.
A Historical Sketch of the 35th Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry, de- livered at the First Re-union of the Regiment, held at Musca-, tine, Iowa, September 29th, 1886.
I. THE OCCASION THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER.
It is over 20 years since we, as members of the old 35th Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry, were last together. How different were the cir- cumstances under which we were together then, and those that bring us together now! Then the country was plunged in civil war, the mnost fearful excitement shook, and the most appalling danger threatened the country. Armies met in the terrible shock of battle to decide whether we should remain a powerful Nation, capable by our combined strength to protect our national rights and secure our collective and individual welfare, or see our power broken, our glory dimmed, and our safety perpetually imperilled by the triumph of Secession.
Now we meet in the midst of profound and prosperous peace, in the happy possession of all the rights and privileges that can be conferred upon us by a Nation we helped to save. The National flag now peacefully waves over all the land, from the great lakes of the North to the great gulf at the South, and from the Atlantic ocean on the East to the far off Pacific on the West. The peaceful sounds of productive and prosperous industry have taken the place of the fearful sounds of destructive war. Then we were on the fatiguing and exhausting march, on the field of battle, in camp, ready and liable at any time to be ordered away to scenes of danger and death. Then we would often gather about the camp fire at night and talk about friends and home, or lie down in our tents or out in the open air, and think of loved ones far away whom we might never see again.
Now we meet in safety, in easy reach of home and those we hold most. dear, to renew under happier circumstances the associations and friendships formed in those times of strife and peril.
2. ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT.
It is nearly a quarter of a century since, in company with sonie who are present, and others who are absent, I rode over various parts of the county making speeches in churches, school honses and groves, assisting in enlist-
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FIRST RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
ing men in the Nation's army of defense against Secession. Eight compa- nies were raised within the county, which with two companies raised in Cedar county, were organized into a regiment and called the 35th Iowa Reg- iment of Infantry Volunteers, with S. G. Hill as Colonel, Jas. H Rothrock as Lieut-Colonel, Henry O'Connor as Major, Fred Dayton as Adjutant, H. Loffand as Quartermaster, andI F. W. Evans as Chaplain. For some weeks we remained in camp upon the Island, just below this city, in company with the 24th and 37th Iowa, or "Grey Beard" regiment, drilling and preparing for active service in the resisting of Rebellion.
3. THE DEPARTURE FOR CAIRO.
The time came when the work of preparation among friends, and the scenes of home and safety, must be exchanged for actual service far from home and friends, and amid scenes of strife and danger. One Saturday, in 1862, we were placed upon the cars, hands were grasped in parting, the last goodbye was said, and amid the cheering of the boys in blue, and the way- ing of handkerchiefs, and the tears of those who remained at home, we steamed away toward the field of war, determined to do all in our power to defend our homes and country. Behind the assumed cheerfulness of the men of the regiment, was many a heart made sad by the parting from friends and home, and though thickly crowded together on the ears, many a secret tear was shed, for we knew that not all would return again, and that the separation from home and loved ones with some of us would be final. But who of us should perish on the field of battle, or fall exhausted on the march, or sicken and die in camp, none of us could know. But that such would be the fate of some of us was unquestionably sure. Yet none, so far as I have learned, were willing to turn back from the sacred duty they had taken upon them. That night about midnight. as near as I can remember, we arrived at LaSalle and changed from the C., R. I. & P. to the Central Illinois railroad, en route for Cairo. The greater part of the next day, which was the Sabbath, was spent within the coach reserved for the officers and the few ladies accompanying the regiment to Cairo, in singing patriotic, sentimental and religious songs. I could frequently deteet in the singing a tremor that told that the hearts of the singers were touched, and now and then when the heart became too full for utterance, the voice of some singer would cease entirely. To me that day will ever remain as a day of sacred memories, in which the spirit was subdued by the touching and impressive singing to a kind of solemn tenderness. The next morning before daylight we arrived at Cairo.
4. EXPEDITIONS TO COLUMBUS, ISLAND NO. 10, AND UP THE TENNESSEE RIVER.
* We remained in Cairo for several weeks, to gnard the eity against any inroads from the enemy. After we had been there a while, half the regi- ment was sent, under Lieut. Colonel Rothrock, to Columbus, Ky., twenty miles below on the Mississippi, to assist in repelling an attack which it was rumored Forrest was abont to make on the small force stationed there. While there the commander of the post refused to sign an order for proven- der for the Chaplain's horse, until the Chaplain himself showed him in the Army Regulations where Chaplains were entitled to such provision. He either was culpably ignorant of his duty, or had such a hatred to the office as made it a pleasure to him to subject Chaplains to every possible inconve- nience and unnecessary humiliation. I never heard of his being in a battle, or showing any special patriotism or superior qualifications as an officer. My observation has taught me, that as a rule the special enemies of Chap- lains were those who were dissolute in morals, and not distinguished for heroism on the field, or special competency in any of the departments of
MELVILLE DNI
W. B. KEELER,
Licut .- Colonel 35th Regiment, Iowa Vol. Inf.
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FIRST RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
military dnty. That there were some worthless Chaplains is beyond ques- tion; so there were some worthless Captains, Colonels, and even Generals; but there were undoubtedly more worthy than unworthy men in all these offices, and the good and worthy ought not to be made to suffer in reputa -. tion because of others who were inferior and unfit for the position.
While our headquarters were at Cairo, we were taken, under General Asboth, to Island No. 10, to defend the Island against an attack it was sup- posed was about to be made upon it. After remaining a short time, and finding that there was no probability of an attack, we returned on an old ferry boat up the river, through a blinding snow, to Cairo.
Soon after, we were taken on steamboats with a number of regiments, under Gen. Asboth, up the Tennessee river to a point above Ft. Henry. While on the Tennessee river, to prevent surprise, the boats were anchored at night some distance from the shore. One night several of us accompa- nied the General to a house on the bank of the river, where he called for buttermilk and treated us all around, paying for it out of his own pocket. Finding no enemy on the Tennessee worthy of our steel, we returned to Cairo.
5 DEPARTURE FROM CAIRO TO DUCKPORT, LOUISIANA.
The time at length came for us to depart to more Southern fields, and the scenes of more active and aggressive operations. Proceeding down the river by boat, we landed a few miles above Vicksburg, on the Louisiana side, at Duckport, three miles below Miliken's bend, where the larger part of Grant's army was camped. One day it was reported that on that night four steamboats were to run the blockade at Vicksburg. A number of us went down the river to Young's point, a few miles below, to witness as far as possible the hazardous experiment Soon after we arrived there a large dark object came gliding down the river, with as near as I can remember no noise, save that made by the paddle wheels upon the water. Not a ray of light shone from the vessel, nor was there to be seen the least indication of stir or life on board. Just as the boat came between a low point of land that ran out into the river, and the upper part of the city, a great light flashed out from the point, supposed to have been caused by the firing of a wooden shanty or large pile of straw put there for the occasion. The whole breadth of the river was illuminated, and every object on it made plainly visible. Immediately the cannon along the fortifications opened on the vessel a terrible storm of shot and shell. Soon another boat, presenting a like appearance with the first, came down the river; then another, and an- other, until the four had passed from sight. Soon after the passage of the last wessel, we heard rapid and heavy volleys of musketry, and supposed that one or more of the vessels had been disabled. This proved to some extent true in the case of the Tigress. Long after the boats had passed the city, we could hear cannonading at Warrington, some iniles below, which assured us that the vessels had progressed at least that far on their. way. The next day, I think, we learned that they had successfully run the block- ade, and were waiting at Grand Gulf to convey the army across the river into Mississippi as soon as it should arrive.
6. THE MARCH FROM DUCKPORT TO THE REAR OF VICKSBURG.
Shortly after the running of the blockade we received orders to march, and proceeded across the State of Louisiana to Hard Times Landing, where we crossed the river in the boats that had run the blockade to Grand Gulf in the State of Mississippi. The town had been destroyed by our gun boats, and nothing was left of it but a few battered and blackened walls and a few chimneys. From Grand Gulf we marched across the State to Jackson, the
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FIRST RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
capital. On our way to Jackson we saw for the first time near Raymond, where there had been a fight, men who had been killed in battle. They were rebels, for the Federal force had been successful and if they lost any men had buried them and hurried on to the front. At Jackson there was a sharp engagement between Steel's division and the rebels and the city was captured while we were held back in reserve While lying in line during the capture, two of our men were wounded by shells from the enemy's works This was the first instance of our being under fire. When we entered the city we saw the principal hotel, a large frame building called the Confeder- ate House, in flames; it was burned to the ground. We marched from Jack- son, crossed Black river on a pontoon bridge, and reaching the rear of Vicks- burg, took our place behind the breastworks in Gen. Tuttle's division, and as part of Gen. Sherman's corps.
7. EXPEDITIONS TO BLACK RIVER AND SURROUNDING COUNTRY.
After we had been in the rear of Vicksburg some weeks, we were sent out about sixteen miles to Black river to watch Johnson, who with a force was in our rear, and had again taken possession of Jackson. We started in the evening, and about midnight, exhausted and sleepy, we lay down in an open field to rest. In the midst of our slumbers we were roused np, fell into line, expecting every moment to hear the rattle of musketry, and receive thie charge of the on-coming foe, when we found that the entire scare was pro- duced by a refractory mule, which, hitched to a fence, jerked the rail loose and run off with it. The mule-scared brigade then broke ranks, and like the darkey in the storm, retired in disgust. But it demonstrated that we were ready for any emergency, and were not to be overcome by a surprise even by a mule. On the 4th of July, which was in a day or two after our leaving the . rear of Vicksburg, perhaps the next day, Vicksburg surrendered. We heard of it in a few hours, and made our camp ring with our cheers and re- joieing. From Black river we ma le several expeditions into the surround- ing country, in one of which we assisted at the recapture of Jackson. All pre- sent at the time will remember the morning we heard the rebel band play- ing Dixie, as they were marching out of the city, soon after which we moved in. On returning from Jackson we stopped a day or two. at Clinton, where we had charge of five or six hundred rebel prisoners. In one of our expe- ditions we came one evening to a cluster of negro cabins. The unbleached residents were all out in front and wonderfully excited. One old colored woman came up to me and giving mie a tremendous thump on the back said: "Wee's awful glad to see you, honey, wee's been lookin for you a long tinie, and now bless de Lord ye is here." I paid one of the colored women a quarter for a small corn pone. When we went into camp and I had cared for my horse, I looked into my haversack for my pone; you may judge of 111y disappointment when I found it was gone, for I had eaten nothing since early in the morning. I never knew what had become of it until about two years ago. My information comes second-handed from Col. Rothirock He and Maj. O'Connor had an Irish servant who, knowing !I had the pone in my haversack, purloined it, and he and the Col. and the Maj. ate it. But they did not tell ine for fear I would not like it. I will leave it to any fair- minded and well informed judge of military law, whether it was in accord- ance with the highest conception of military justice for a dignified Lieut. Col. and Maj. of the best regiment in the service to steal a corn pone from a hungry chaplain.
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