USA > Iowa > Delaware County > Manchester > Reunion of the 12th Iowa V.[eteran] V.[olunteer] infantry 1st-8th, 1880-1903 > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
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M. L.
REYNOLDS INTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00824 0720
FIRST REUNION
-- XOF THE ?-
12th Iowa V. V. Infantry, 1-8 1880-1903 HELD AT. --
MANCHESTER, IOWA,
.ON .
Tuesday and Wednesday, April 6th and 7th. 1880.
DUBUQUE, IOWA : TIMES PRINTING HOUSE.
1880.
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11.3
1890804
Attention !
So all interested in the First Reunion of the Twelfth Iowa Infantry, held at Manchester, Iowa, Oth and 7th of April. 1880.
The proceedings of said reunion are now printed in a neat pamphlet form of 55 pages-containing the addresses of Col. . 1. J. Woods and Col. D. B. Henderson, as well as responses to toasts, including the poem of Capt. W. 1 .. Henderson giving a history of the regiment ; also, the rolls of members present and absent.
No member can afford to be without one.
Copies supplied to any address post-paid for 25 cents.
Address, G. E. COMSTOCK,
Committee on Publication,
DUBUQUE, IOWA
NOTICE ?
DUBUQUE, June ist. 1550.
DEAR COMRADES :
Concerning the publication of this pamphlet, a word Those present will remember that our first impressions were that a sheet costing two cents would contain the proceedings of our Reunion. but when our dear Col. Woods lit the first camp fire by his soul stirring address of welcome, tire after fire sprang up here and there, until our hearts were all ablaze and too full for utterance, and even those in our midst, trying to gather up the choice parts of those impromptu speeches. caught the enthusiasm and were lost ; so much so, that a great many good things have undoubtedly been omitted. And our worthy Seere- tary was so laden with correspondence of comrades, that it was impos- sible for him to attend and keep minutes of the meeting. Hener, we found we were working at a disadvantage. We have tried to do the best we could and yet, we see now, where it might have been improved.
The attention of every member is particularly called to the list of absent members. If any name or post office address is incorrect, (or name omitted,) or in case of death or change of address, please notify Abner Dunham, Secretary, Manchester, Delaware County. Jowa, that in our next call we may be able to reach every surviving member of the old Twelfth.
G. E. COMSTOCK,
(0 -0,2 12th I. V. V. I. .
FIRST REUNION -OF THE ---
12th IOWA INFANTRY.
L'S ORIGIN.
The first Re-union of the 12th Towa Infantry had its origin in Dela- ware County, in December, 1879.
At an informal meeting of a few of the regiment. at Delhi, at which were present Lieut. Abner Dunham, Gol. S. G. Knee, Major G. II. Morrisey and Lieut. C. E. Merriam, it was determined that a Re- mion should be bad, at Manchester, on the 6th and 7th of Apcit, 1880, that being the anniversary of the battle of Shiloh.
At this meeting the following Officers for the Re-umion were ap- pointed, viz :
S. G. KNEE President ; D. B. HENDERSON, Vice President; ABNER DUNHAM, Secretary ; G. H. MORRISEY, R. W. TIRRILL, C. F. MERRIAM, Exeentive Committee.
Then followed several meetings, at which Lieut. J. E. Simpson and others were present, with the Committee and Officers, and the Secretary issned the following Call :
TWELFTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
DEAR COMRADE :- At a preliminary meeting of a number of the officers and members of the Twelfth Regiment, held at Delhi, Delaware County, December 27th, 1879, to consult as to the propriety of having a Reunion of the surviving members, it was unanimously resolved that such meeting should be held. At this meeting, Col. S. G. Knee, of Colesburg, was chosen President, Col. D. B. Henderson, of Dubmme, Vice President, and Lient. Abner Dunham, of Manchester, Secretary, who, together with Major Geo. II. Morrisey, of Delhi, and Mr. C. E. Merriam, of Hopkinton, were constituted an Executive Committee, and empowered to call a meeting of the Regiment at such time and place as they should deem appropriate.
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FIRST REUNION OF THE
They have, accordingly, determined to have the first meeting of the Regiment at Manchester, Delaware County, on Tuesday and Wednes- day, April 6th and 7th, next, at which meeting your attendance is earnestly requested.
It has seemed to those of us who have inaugurated this movement, that such a meeting of those members of the "Old Twelfth" as still survive, would be attended with much to interest us all. We ask you then to come and join your old comrades in arms, in this their first an- unal meeting, and in the renewal of old friendships and associations. There will be here many of the officers of the different companies, and we most earnestly desire to see every member of the Regiment present.
By order of Executive Committee, LIEUT. A. DUNHAM,
Manchester, Iowa, January 23, 1880. Secretary.
At a final meeting of the Officers and Executive Committee, all being present, the following Programme was adopted :
PROGRAMME.
TUESDAY FORENOON.
MEETING OF THE COMRADES AT THE TRAINS, GENERAL HAND SHAKING.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON, 1:30 O'CLOCK,
ASSEMBLY. ADDRESS DY THE PRESIDENT.
BUSINESS. VISITING.
TUESDAY EVENING, 7:30 O'CLOCK,
ASSEMBLY AT CITY HALL. PRAYER, BY REV. D. RUSSELL, IITH N. Y. INFANTRY. MUSIC. WELCOME BY THE MAYOR, HON. C. SANBORN. RESPONSE BY THE PRESIDENT. ORATION, BY. D. B. HENDERSON. FIVE MINUTE DRILL IN THE MANUAL OF ARMS. BY Co. C. 4Th REGT. I. N. G. SONG. - "RALLY ROUND THE FLAG, BOYS," BY ALL .. TATTOO.
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TWELFTH IOWA V. V. INFANTRY.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
SIX O'CLOCK, REVEILLE.
NINE O'CLOCK, ASSEMBLY AT CITY HALL.
BUSINESS. VISITING. ONE O'CLOCK, P. M., BANQUET AND TOASTS.
VISITING, AND ESCORTING DELEGATES TO THE TRAINS.
Banquet at Ford's Hall.
PROGRAMME FOR BANQUET.
Wednesday, I o'clock, P. M.
GRACE BY REV. ALVAR DAY OF MANCHESTER.
BANQUET. MI'SK. "THE STATE AND THE NATION - Mutually Dependent and Independent."
Response by Major E. M. Van Duzer, of St. Paul.
"THE ARMY AND NAVY- The Safeguards of all Nations. Response by Hon. R. W. Tirrill, Manchester.
"THE CHILDREN OF THE 12TH LOW-God Bless them ! and may they live long to enjoy the Freedom that their Fathers, Living and Dead, fought to Secure" Response by Florence L. Dunham, Manchester.
"HARDTACK AND COFFEE The Reserves from which we daily drew Nerve and Inspiration." Response by Capt. E. B. Soper, Einmetsburg.
MUSIC.
"THE GIRLS WE LEFT BEHIND US-The only Power that has made Prisoners of us all." Response by Harvey Smith, Waterloo,
"HISTORY OF THE TWELFTH IOWA INFANTRY." Capt. W. L. Henderson, Leroy, Miun.
"THE WIVES, MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS AND SWEETHEARTS OF THE TWELFTH lows None Suffered More, none Complained less. Our Flag Their Plag "Their Homes Our Hearts." Response by Lieut. J. R. Simpson, Dubuque.
"OUR GALLANT DEAD- . The Noble Heroes who. although passed to the Shores of the Great Unknown, still Live in our Memories, and are Cherished as among the best of our number." Response by R. P. Clarkson, Des Moines.
MUSIC. - "The Red, White and Blue" Chorus by All.
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FIRST REUNION OF THE
COMMITTEES.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
S. G. KNEE, President. D. B. HENDERSON, Vice President. ABNER DUNILAM, Secretary. D. II. MORRISEY, C. E. MERRIAM.
RECEPTION COMMITTEE.
R. W. TIRRILL, W. 11. GOODELL, JOHN O'TIS.
DECORATION COMMITTEE.
MRS. E. ALLEN, MRS. F. BETHELL, MRS. A. M. SHERWOOD. MRS. E. HOAG, MRS. W. C, CAWLEY, MRS. T. W. ROBINSON, MRS. I. P. HUNT.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE,
D. B. HENDERSON, G. H. MORRISEY, C. E. MERRIAM.
COMMITTEE OF REGISTRATION OF MEMBERS, AND RESERVED SEATS AT CITY HALL.
C. E. MERRIAM, HARVEY SMITH, 11. S. LILLAGAR.
COMMITTEE ON TOASTS.
R. P. CLARKSON, R. W. TIRRILL.
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COMMITTEE ON BANQUET.
R. W. TIRRILL,
.. F. BETHELL,
A. M. SHERWOOD,
C. E. BRONSON,
.. T. W. ROBINSON.
.. T. W. ROBINLON, M. F. LEROY, .. 11. C. GRAHAM, A. 0. MOORE, MISS J. KINSLEY. N. BL RNSIDE, " S. BAILEY, L. MchAIN,
S. G. KNEE, (. II. MORRISEY.
MRS. ABNER DUNHAM, MRS. W. N. BOYNGON, MRS. W. II. GOODELL,
.. W. C. CAWLEY, .. 11. A. MORSE.
N. N. CORNISII, E. HOAG,
C. H. DAY,
I. P. HUNT,
= E. R. CONGER, .. J. 1. PRATI,
CHAS. BURNSIDE, I. HOYT, E. G. RUNDELD, H. M. CONGER, MISS II. HOAG, L. HONEY,
.. N. PAXSON,
M. BABCOCK, E. ALDEN, ..
J. A. ABBOTT, A. S. BLAIR,
MISS O. MADISON, " 1. ALLEN,
11. TILTON,
1
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TWELFTH IOWA V, V, INFANTRY.
THE GREAT REUNION.
THE TWELFTH IOWA AT MANCHESTER.
The first reunion of the surviving members of the veteran 12th regi- ment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, took place in this city on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. To say it was the most successful meeting conveys the faintest idea of the occasion. From first to last it was the most inspiring and enthusiastic gathering ever seen in Manchester. After years of separation, the men who, for more than four long years had endured danger and privation, and untold suffering, who had to- gether faced death on many a battle field, who, many of them had suf- fered the horrible torture of starvation and disease in Southern prison- pens, who had at last, broken in health and prematurely gray, come back to those for whom they conquered, once more found themselves face to face, and clasped hand in hand. What the emotion, what the feelings of these men must have been, words are powerless to express.
From the first hour of their arrival here, the sense of their presence and what they had done and what they endured, seemed to pervade the entire community. The people of Manchester and of the country round about, rose, as one man, to welcome the members of the old 12th and to do them honor. The patriotic fervor of the old war days seemed to be revived. The women of Manchester, especially, worked with unflagging zeal, and to their efforts, in a large measure, is due the glorious success of the reunion.
Large numbers of the buildings were adorned with flags and streamers showing the national colors, rows of flags were stretched from Tins Press office to the Clarence House, and from Thorpe Bros. 'o Lawrence & Lister's, and at the entrance of the City Hall had been erected arches of evergreens, and the whole street was gay with flags of every description.
The Decoration Committee deserves the highest credit for the man- ner in which they performed the arduons duties imposed upon them. The walls and chandeliers of the City Hall were fairly covered with most tastefully arranged evergreens and flags, among which were hung numerous pietures and mottoes, the whole combining to make a pleas-
FIRST REUNION OF THE
ing and spirited scene. On the proseenium of the stage hung the colors of the regiment, tattered and torn by storms and rebel bullets, and they were a most forcible reminder of the trials and vicissitudes through which the brave men of the "Old Twelfth" passed while fighting the battles of the union.
In a recess in the scene at the back of the stage, was a large picture of General Grant, with a flag hanging on each side. On one side of the hall, near the stage, hung a picture of President Lincoln, and under it the words, "s goverment of the people, for the people and by the peo- ple." On the opposite wall was another picture of General Grant, and under it the words, "Let us have peace." In another place, surrounded by evergreens, hung a list of some of the battles participated in by the 12th Regiment. The battles named were Fort Donelson, Nashville, Spanish Fort, Vicksburg and Tupelo.
The session opened Tuesday afternoon with music by the Manches- ter Cornet Band." after which Col. Knee, who was booked for an ad- dress, introduced Col. J. J. Woods, the first commander of the regiment. saying that at that time it would be an insult to ask those present to listen to any other man. Col. Woods spoke in substance as follows:
MY FELLOW SOLDIERS OF THE 12TH IOW A :-- I do not appear be- fore you to perform any duty, or fill any place assigned mne by your committee ; but with great reluctance, and at the carnest solicita- tion of Col. Knee, your honored president, I consented to occupy his place. I am not large enough to fill it, but I thank him for allowing me to talk about what I please, and as long or short a time as I please.
But upon this occasion my thoughts can only wander in one direc- tion. I am thinking of the time when, at the bugle call of our country, we cante forth - farmers from their farms, mechanics from their shops, merchants from their counters, lawyers from their clients, doctors from their patients-enrolled ourselves, nearly one thousand strong, for the defense of our country. We recall the process of organization and drill; the sojourn at Benton Barracks, where death. by disease. began his inroad on our ranks; the bombardment of Fort Henry and the siege of Donelson, where our ranks were first thinmed by rebel bullets. I re- call the moment when Buckner, of Co. A, the first man we lost in battle, fell : how cold the following night was; how, the next day, we took the rebel rifle pits, and how, mon the third morning, the shout of triumph arose and passed from rank to rank, at beholding the white flag dis- played from the rebel ramparts, and Gon. Simon B. Buckner turned over his fortifications to " Unconditional Surrender" Grant.
But oh, how vividly is pictured upon my brain the events of eighteen years ago to-day. How we remember that Sabbath morning. when, instead of being summoned by the church bell to the worship of the living God, we were summoned by the roar of cannon and the rattle of musketry to the work of carnage and death. You remember how hurriedly we formed our ranks of war and marched to the front, meet- ing on the way hundreds retiring to the rear with tales of woe and dis- aster; but you pressed forward and fearlessly took up your position in the front line of battle. and right nobly did you maintain it, repelling every charge or assault of the enemy and driving him back in confusion, until the troops upon your right and those on the left of the Sthand 14th lowa gave way and left you to defend yourselves as best, you could.
!
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TWELFTH IOWA V. V INFANTRY.
You remember how you undertook to fight your way to the rear and sent death and destruction into the ranks of the enemy until many of your comrades were killed by your side, and I and many others fell wounded on the field of battle; and the only alternative was surrender or annihilation. If all had stood their ground as you did, the disaster of that day would never have been recorded. Ilow sadly I felt when you were marched to the rear, while I, with wounded and dead com- rades, lay upon the battle field, enclosed by the foc. I recall how the rebel Gen. Hardee, after some pleasant conversation, tried to elicit from me facts in reference to our troops that might be of value to the rebel army ; and how a Texassubaltern pointed a pistol at my head and threatened to blow my brains out ; how i had heard rebels boast of the brave deeds they had done that day, and how they would complete the great victory the next day; how, during that night, I listened to the groans of the dying. growing less and less as time wore on, and their departed spirits returned to God who gave them. In the meantime, the shells from our gouboats were bursting around us. At length the morning dawned. the morning of the day upon which, according to their boasts of the evening before, the enemy was to complete his yic- tory. But soon I heard them tramping to the rear, and the cry from the rear. "The cavalry are getting on oor danks!" and then the addi- tional ery, "Buch has come !" Soon I looked forth and joyfully beheld the flag of my country waving m the breeze, and gradually approaching nearer and nearer. Oh, how my heart leaped for joy ! Never did that flag look so beautiful before. It gave assurance of victory to our army. To me it was a resurrection from death unto life, for I would have died in the rebel hands had I not been rescued. It told me that I should again see home, and wife and children. It told me more : It told me that I should live to try again the gage of battle with the enemy of my country, upon other fields of action. Oh, glorious flag of my coun- try ! forever may it wave over a happy and umted people.
But time would fail to recount the further history of our regiment -your release from prison, the reorganization of the regiment with diminished numbers, the capture of Jackson, the siege of Vicksburg, Tupelo, and the various other engagements in which you bore a worthy part. Suffice it to say, that in all these engagements you proved your- selves to be the bravest of the brave. On the battle fields of the South, you won imperishable renown, whether engaged in the grand charge that won the day, as at Donelson, or staying the tide of threatened dis- aster, as at Shiloh. In marches and in skirmishes, in sieges and assaults in attack and defense, by the heroism with which you faced death and danger in every form, by your intelligence and love of erte ry you proved that you possessed the characteristics of true soldiers in the highest degree, and your noble achievements constitute a rich treasure in which all have an interest.
My comrades, to-day we meet together as the widely scattered mem- bers of a common household. after long years of separation. We come together under that dear old flag, dear to the heart of every member of the regiment. We come, not now at the rallying ery of battle, but to i call and contemplate the common joys, the common hopes, the com- mon toils, the common trials and sufferings through which, as mem- bers of the same regiment we were elled to pass. We come with the most grateful and tender affection for the honored dead of our regi- ment, whose places among us are vacant to-day, and who went to their long rest from the battle field, from the hospital, from the prison pens of the South, and. more recently, from their homes widely scattered throughout the land. They went down gloriously unto death, that the Republic naght aseend up gloriously unto life. To-day we miss the light that beamed from their countenances ; they are no longer among us, but --
"On fame's eternal enmping ground,
Their silent tents are spread."
For them we can only shed the silent tear, and weep with the fathers
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FIRST REUNION OF THE
and mothers, the wives and children, whose hearts overflow with sor- row for their fost loved ones.
My comrades, I have already passed the meridian of life, and am going down the western declivity, but I assure you that time has not diminished my love for liberty, or country, nor dimmed my affection- ate regard for you, who, with me, spent some of your best years in their defense ; and though the wounds we received and the hardships of the service, canse ns some pain and affliction, we bear it all with cheerful fortimide, knowing that the necessities of the times demanded the sacrifice. And when I speak of my country, the idea in my mind is not that of any pent up Utiea ; it is not contined by mmmmnicipal walls, nor limited by State boundaries ; my country is not Ohio, though I was born there; it is not Kentucky or New York, although I was educated within their borders; it is not the noble State of lowa, though I married my wife within her precinets, and two of my lovely children lie buried within ber soit; it is not the beautiful land of Kansas, where I now dwell ; but my country is where floats that glorious dag, and when for the last time I shall behold its starry folds, next to my hopes of a better life up yonder, will be the desire that my country may be great, and that nion, peace and prosperity may prevail throughout all her vast borders.
And now that we have met beneath that dear old flag, grasped the hand of friendship, heard the strains of martial music, renewed our devotion to our common country, when we part I shall return to the duties and avocations of life, in my far-off Kansas home. with renewed courage and a thankful heart that I have been permitted to see your faces again.
At the conclusion of Col. Woods' address, Col. D. B. Henderson moved that a committee of five, of which Col. Woods should be chair- man, be appointed by the President to prepare a plan for a permanent organization of the surviving members of the 12th Regiment, with a view to the continuation of these pleasant reunions; said committee to report Wednesday morning. Carried. The president appointed as such committee, J. D. Cole, D. B. Henderson, 11. J . Playfer and J. E. Simpson.
Several letters of regret were read by Secretary Dunham, which are given below.
STUTTGART, GERMANY, March 15th, 1880
LT. J. E. SIMPSON, Dubuque, Iowa.
My Dear Sir :- Through my son Otto I received your letter dated 25th of February, inquiring for my address. Therein I see -although so many years have elapsed since I was amongst yon-that you still think of me. This sign of remembrance is unspeakably touching and gratifying to me. When in America, last year, it was my great wish to come once more to Dubuque and call and see any of you, but cirenm- stances called me back to Europe.
Not to be able to be personally present at your reunion on the 6th of next month is a source of great regret to me, and therefore I beg you my dear sir, to be my interpreter on that occasion, and tell my dear brothers in arms-officers and members of the old 12th Jowa, that the days spent amongst them, the remembrance of the love and kindly feeling of all is deeply engraved in my memory as of the happiest time in my life, and neither time nor distanee can ever weaken my attach- ment to the boys in blue.
My love to each of the dear ones present ; three cheers for the dear okdl 12th Lowa, and the Union forever! Long life and happiness to all
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TWELFTH IOWA V. V. INFANTRY.
the remaining ones. Thoughts of regret for those called off. To you, yet especially, my expressions of regards.
Ever your old Major,
S. D. BRODTBECK.
DES MOINES, IOWA, March 30th, 1850.
ABNER DUNHAM, Secretary, Manchester, lowa :
My Dear Sir: - Your favor of March 15th, inviting me to be present at the reunion of the 12th regiment of lowa Volunteers, is at hand.
It would give me personal pleasure to accept, did not my official en- gagements prevent.
The record of the 12th lowa illuminates a bright page in the history of the state. You did well by your country in the hour of danger, and [ ato heartdy thankful that so many of you are spared to enjoy the blessings of peace, won by your regiment in connection with the other soldiers of the Republic's grand army.
May von each and all be spared for many years to meet around your festive board and fight your battles over. which in the days of 1861-1 were stern realities
Thanking your committee for the invitation, and again regretting my inability to attend, lam,
Yours truly, JOHN II. GEAR.
SPARTA, WHITE Co., TENN., April 2, 1850.
To the Members of the Twelfth lowa Volunteer Infantry, at their Re-
union, April 6th, 1850 :
Comrades :- The regret I feel in consequence of my inability to re- spond in person to the many urgent invitations I have received from different members of the old regiment to be present at your reunion, is greater than I can well express by means of an ordinary letter. As many of you doubtless know, Fam at present in the service of our old friend. "Uncle Sam, " and can only leave my post by permission of those in authority. [ have been confidently expecting such permission, but for some reason it has failed to reach me, and as I would have to start from here to-day in order to be with you on the 6th instant, Iam com- pelled to send you my regrets and congratulations in the form of a leiter, and must bear my disappointment as best bean, hoping that at vonr next reunion my efforts to be present may be rewarded with better success.
The day you have selected for your reunion could not have been more appropriately chosen. but I will not refer especially to the time of which this day is the anniversary, not the gallant part you bore on that day, not yet to the splendid record you made for yourselves during the war, as your orator no doubt, will say all that can be said on this sub- ject ; and all who are familiar with the history of the lowa troops dur- ing the rebellion will agree. I think, to the claim we make that the Iowa soldiers were second to none in the world, and that the record of the 12th will compare favorably with that of any regiment sent out by the State.
According to my recollection of events it was the rule during the war, at the varions entertainments of pyrotechnical displays, etc., held in the neighborhood where we chanced to be eneamped or bivouacked
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FIRST' REUNION OF THE
to reserve at least a part of the front seats for the 12th Jowa ; but, com - rades, if I could be with you I should want to talk of something aside from our war record. I should esteem it a privilege to meet and greet you all once more, and to tell you of the love and friendship I have cherished for all of you during the years that have passed since we separated and to assure you all that as I now look back over my life's history I find in it nothing of which I am half so proud as I am of the fact that during the dark days of the rebellion, while we each. in our humble way, sought to manifest by our actions something of the love and devotion we felt for our glorious country ; that it was my privilege and honor to command for so long a time the brave. noble, generous fellows whose names are inscribed on the rolls of the 12th Iowa Infantry.
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