USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > Reunion of the Second Iowa Cavalry Veteran Association, 1882 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
1
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
: 3.74 gior 382-89 st-4th 753535
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01757 0661
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013
http://archive.org/details/reunionofsecond188289seco
FIRST REUNION-
-OF THE-
2nd SECOND IOWA CAVALRY,
-HELD AT-
Da
DAVENPORT, IOWA,
SEPTEMBER 19, 20, AND .21, 1882.
1883. Egbert, Fidlar, & Chambers, Davenport, Iowa.
1753535
Dawes F 8349
IOWA CAVALRY. 2d regt., 1861-1865.
... Reunion ... Ist-with.
1882- 714 .
.3031
Davenport [etc.]1883-84. Av.in/
1
NI 39-7892 .
FIRST REUNION& -
OF THE
SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
Agreeable to an understanding brought about by correspon- dence, between Colonels Horton, Egbert, Beeson, Styles, Sud- low, and Rumple, a meeting of a few of the surviving members of the Second Iowa Cavalry met at the Kimball House, Dav- enport, Iowa, to take under advisement the propriety of holding a reunion of the regiment.
Col. Henry Egbert was elected Chairman, and J. N. W. Rumple chosen as Secretary.
It was resolved, that the Secretary, and all members of said meeting, correspond with as many of the regiment as possible, and learn their desires as to holding a reunion, and when and where.
After transacting some other preliminary business meeting adjourned, subject to the call of the Secretary.
Your Secretary, with other members of said meeting, opened correspondence with as many members of the regiment as was possible, and met with hearty responses, a majority of whom signified a wish that the reunion be held in the city of Daven- port, the birthplace of the regiment, and in the month of September.
. Another meeting was called by the Secretary, for July 6th, at the Kimball House, Davenport, at which time it was resolved that a reunion of the Second Towa Cavalry be held in the city of Davenport, on the 19th, 20th, and 21st of September, and that a call for such reunion be published in the paper- of the State. At which meeting were also selected the following com- mittees :
Gift of C. G. Dawes , Chicago . MAR 24 1911 43.11 AT
[4]
On Transportation - Col. Henry Egbert, Lieut. H. B. Sud- low, Dr. J. K. Wagner, and Col. B. A. Beeson.
On Arrangements - John N. Davis, Dr. Rigby, John Branch, John Ackley, and Capt. Ben. Styles.
Postals were then forwarded to all comrades whose post-office address was known, with a request that such comrades forward the address and names of any comrades of which they had knowledge. By this means, and the following call, which the papers of the state kindly published, we were enabled to get information to most of the regiment residing in the state.
The following is the call as published :
A reunion of the 2d Iowa Cavalry will be held at Davenport, on the 19th, 20th, and 21st of September, 1882. All members of the regiment are cordially invited to attend. Ample arrangements will be made for your entertainment. All information necessary will be forwarded upon application to J. N. W. RUMPLE, Secretary.
HENRY EGBERT, President.
Reduced rates were procured over the different lines of rail- road by the Committee on Transportation.
The Committee on Arrangements had procured the armory of Company B, Iowa National Guards, as a place of rendezvous, and by the morning of the 19th, through the energy of said committee, all was ready for the reception of the comrades, many of whom arrived upon the morning trains, and were es- corted to headquarters by the reception committees. The day was spent in registering names, gathering in groups, renewing old acquaintances, and reviving the scenes of other days.
The second day's proceedings commenced with the sounding of the assembly by the old regimental bugler, Jack Williamson. At 10 o'clock, roll call by companies.
.At half past one, the assembly was again sounded, and the comrades fell in and marched, with General Coon and Colonels Horton and Egbert at their head, to Library Hall, where was prepared a fine collation by the ladies of Davenport. The hall was beautifully decorated. Above the proscenium arch were the words used by Rosecrans in his report of the second battle of Corinth, when speaking of the regiment, " The Eye of the
[5]
Army." Upon the walls were United States shields, in rota- tion about the room, as per the engagements named :
ISLAND No. 10, NEW MADRID, FARMINGTON, BOONVILLE, IUKA, TUPELO, WATER VALLEY,
COFFEEVILLE, GENADA, BLACK LAND, NASHVILLE.
The repast was greatly enjoyed by the comrades, and who, I am sure, would like the names of the ladies who were active in preparing so fine a dinner for them, inserted in this report, which were as follows :
Chairman, Mrs. Dr. Peck ; secretary, Miss Phoebe Sudlow ; assisted by Mrs. Edward Russell, Mrs. E. Fay, Mrs. M. L. Marks, Mrs. S. P. Bryant, Mrs. J. J. Richardson, Mrs. Col. H. Egbert. And at the tables assisted by some thirty-eight of the first ladies of the city. The ladies' address of welcome was de- livered by Hon. Edward Russell, which was full of feeling, and thoroughly appreciated by the comrades. (Unfortunately, no report of this able address was made, and consequently cannot be inserted here.) Col. J. P. Sanford responded in his happiest vein on - behalf of the regiment, and after singing "Army Beans," by a quartette of the regiment, and three cheers for the ladies of Davenport, the proceedings at the hall ended.
Regiment fell in and returned to the armory (Trinity church chimes sounding patriotic airs the while), to engage in the after- noon parade. Parade formed on Second street, and moved in the following order :
UNION BAND. Co. B, IOWA NATIONAL GUARDS. WENTZ POST, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
SECOND IOWA CAVALRY, WITH GENERAL COON AT THE HEAD, UNDER COMMAND OF COLONEL C. C. HORTON, ASSISTED BY COLONEL HENRY EGBERT.
After marching through the principal business streets, which were thronged with people, and past the soldiers' monument at an uncover, returned to headquarters, where the following busi- ness was transacted, a permanent organization formed, and the following officers elected :
President - COL. C. C. HORTON, Muscatine, Iowa.
Vice- President - J. K. WAGNER, Blairstown, Iowa.
Secretary and Treasurer - B. A. BEESON, Marshalltown, Iowa.
[6]
Executive Committee - HENRY EGBERT, of Davenport; J. N. W. RUM- PLE, of Marengo ; and H. B. SUDLOW, of Rock Island.
The next reunion will be held in September, 1885, at Mar- shalltown, Iowa.
Just at the close of the business meeting, Maj. Henry O'Con- nor, of Muscatine, made his appearance in the hall, and was re- ceived with enthusiasm, and responded in one of his character- istic speeches.
In the evening the regiment held a grand reception at the Burtis Opera House. The Stars and Stripes in graceful folds formed a sort of canopy about the center of the stage, and just beneath the center of this canopy sat the venerable Simon Prouty, a soldier of the war of 1812. Strasser's full orchestra added largely to the entertainment, their fine music being great- ly enjoyed by soldier and citizen. Col. Henry Egbert, presi- dent, presided. Mayor J. C. Bills delivered the welcoming ad- dress, which is here inserted :
MR. PRESIDENT, AND SURVIVING MEMBERS OF THE SECOND IOWA CAVALRY :
The people of this city greet you with a most cordial welcome. We extend our hands and open our hearts to you with gladness. We would make your visit to our city as profitable and as joyous as possible.
It is eminently fitting that you should come together to renew the associations and reminiscences of your noble regiment. You are justi- fied in cherishing an honorable pride in its record, and should often re- kindle its camp-fires and unfurl to the breeze its faded and tattered banner. Your meeting at this place is particularly appropriate and welcome. Here you were organized, and solemnly, with uplifted hand, dedicated that life which is so dear to all of us to the defense of your country. Here you learned your first lessons in the discipline, hard- ships, and trials of a soldier's life. Here you bade the last adieu to loved ones - alas! for how many, the last on earth.
Yes, your old camp-ground at Davenport should be sacred soil to every one of us.
How well we remember your coming- twenty years though it is. . You were full of the boisterous life of youth, overflowing with enthu- siasm, wild and impatient of discipline. When your decimated ranks returned, at the end of the war, what a change ! Sobered - every man a soldier, wrought like a tempered link into the steel chain of his reg- iment. Yes, you had seen life in its most intense and thrilling aspect - you had learned that war is no holiday festival.
You had been trying a case at the court of last appeal, where the scales are held by the God of Battles, and you bore about you the evi- dences that judgment had been entered in your favor.
[7]*
Henceforth this was a nation, one and indivisible, and not merely a confederacy " bound together with ropes of cloud and chains of mist."
This issue had been so effectively put at rest, that its grave needed no sentinel. You were all at liberty to come home, lay down your arms, and return to your usual vocations.
It is to be regretted, that with all our boasted civilization and pro- fessed following of Him who is called the Prince of Peace, so many of the great questions of the world must still be settled by brute force. "I will kill you, or you shall kill me," the argument of the savage, is still the international court of last resort.
In this country, we had fondly supposed that we could decide all political controversies at the ballot-box. That is a part of the social compact contained in our theory and form of government. But who is to prevent an appeal from the ballot to the bayonet ?
I hope there may come a time, in the golden future, this side of the millennium, when all controversies shall be settled in some way by reason, when brain instead of brawn shall constitute the ultimate tri- bunal. We may not hope to see this; still, I believe it would be im- possible, at this day, to involve our people in a war which could be honorably avoided. I trust we shall never allow ourselves to attack a power too weak to defend itself, or bombard a city to collect a debt. Let no designing politician or ambitious soldier involve us in an unjust or needless war. We are sufficiently powerful, and ought to be suffi- cientiy independent, to say to the world that we will not fight unless it is necessary to our existence. A suspension of diplomatic and commer- cial relations with a foreign nation with whom we cannot agree, will be found a sufficient remedy in most cases. There is no other nation on the face of the earth where there is so little excuse for a rebellion as in this. We have a peaceful and absolute remedy for a bad govern- ment- we can vote it down. If we oppress ourselves, it is our own fault. We have no master above the people. A majority may do wrong, but if persisted in, it soon finds itself a minority.
The subjects of every ruler should be afforded a peaceful and ade- quate remedy against a bad government. Where this is not done, there is excuse for rebellion. There is no power on earth or in heaven which can authorize oppression or sanction tyranny.
In Russia, the only law is the will of the czar. The will of the people is nothing. To complain, even, is to be condemned. Passive submission, relieved only by the revenge of assassination, cannot last forever. In the near future, those who follow us shall read of a Rus- sian rebellion, beside whose ghastly horrors the French revolution shall fade and disappear. "They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." A great deal of trouble might be avoided, if " the powers that be" would keep an ear close to the people, and would hear and heed the still, small voice, instead of waiting for that which speaks from the tempest.
Louis XV. had a morbid interest in the subject of death. While
[8]
riding out one day he overtook a peasant carrying a coffin. He hailed and asked him for whom it was. The peasant answered, for his brother. Of what did he die? asked the monarch. Of starvation, replied the peasant. Louis whipped up his horses and went on. He did not care to hear more.
When the subjects of Louis XVI. complained that all their crops had been taken for taxes, and they were starving, they were told to eat grass. They concluded that if they were to turn beasts, they preferred to feed on the flesh and blood of their oppressors, and the revolution was their answer -the most effective lesson which despotism has ever received.
It is neither good sense nor good economy for a great and prosperous corporation to go on cutting down the wages of its subordinate em- ployes, and close its ears to their timid appeals for redress, until some day it finds its property at the hands of a wild and reckless mob. Capital should not turn its back upon the reasonable complaints of labor.
Rulers should make it their business to redress the wrongs of their subjects. The riot may be quelled by the police or military power, but the fury of the mob may wreak its vengeance with the ballot as well as with the torch.
I would not prophesy evil, but I would like to see our government so conducted that there shall be no possible excuse for violence.
The man who offers his life in a just and necessary defense of his country performs the noblest act of which humanity is capable. When we say of a man, " He has a good war record," we mean a great deal. It implies that he is brave, honorable, and entitled to the respect and gratitude of this people. I congratulate you, gentlemen, that you have bravely won this illustrious record. You may be poor as Lazarus and afflicted as Job, but no one can take it from you or tarnish its lustre. It may be the only legacy you have to leave your children, but they will be prouder of it than of all the gold in the sands and rocks of the earth.
I congratulate you that the war in which you were engaged was wholly justifiable and unavoidable .; that you were spared to return from its blood-stained fields and come together at this time in friend- ship and love with each other; that, although at the close of the war we owed about twenty-eight hundred millions of dollars, we have, in seventeen years, paid one-half of it, and reduced our annual interest from one hundred and fifty-one millions to about sixty millions of dol- lars; that we have paid during the last year about five hundred and forty-two millions of dollars in pensions to our disabled soldiers, and hardly know it.
Let no one say this republic is ungrateful.
Again I say, gentlemen, you are most welcome.
Col. Horton responded, on behalf of the regiment, in a ring-
[9 ]*
ing speech, but on account of not being reported, can give only a synopsis as contained in the Davenport papers :
Colonel Horton responded to Mayor Bills's welcome address in be- half of the regiment he once commanded. The Colonel had a speech written, but got away from his notes entirely - and a better descriptive speech than he made is rarely heard. He is a natural orator, is Colonel Horton. After returning the warm thanks of the regiment to the Mayor for the city's hospitalities, a repetition of the kindness extended when they were in camp in 1861, and again in 1865, the Colonel gave a thrilling sketch of the life of a cavalryman as experienced by members of the Second Iowa- hardships of almost every nature, desperate fighting with a foe in front, and more desperate fighting to save an army in retreat from Forest - life in camp and on the march- a thrilling recital it was. He then spoke of the regiment's commanders, Colonels Elliott, Hatch, Hepburn, and Coon -the first teaching the regiment the discipline which rendered it so effective in the field; the second inspired his men with confidence in himself as a leader, his reputation as such becoming national ; the third behaving gallantly at Colliersville, and the fourth as brave and noble-hearted an officer as the service knew, and a cool, fearless, determined fighter. Elliott, Hatch, and Coon won their brigadier's stars through reputation won at the head of the Sec- ond Iowa Cavalry ; and Coon was succeeded by Colonel Horton him- self, who set the audience in a roar by defying any of his comrades to deny "that when on the retreat I always lead them gallantly." He spoke of the pleasures of such a reunion as this, and he paid a glowing tribute to woman for her work in behalf of the soldiers, describing her sacrifices in the cause for which the army fought, in a very affecting manner.
Col. J. P. Sanford followed Col. Horton, who was also not reported, and hence we are only able to give what was published in the papers :
Colonel Sanford was introduced, and received a warm greeting, in- deed. He was announced for an address on the history of the regi- ment, but Colonel Horton had, "taken the wind out of his sails," he said, and then he proceeded to deliver a most interesting and enliven- ing patriotic address, in which he mingled humor and sentiment in a very happy manner. He sketched tersely the patriotic history of the nation from 1776 until now, and made a reference to the crude ideas of the Iowa people about war when the first call was made by Lincoln, that set the audience in a roar. He then spoke of the Union army that put down the rebellion ; pronounced Sherman's march to the sea the grandest military achievement on record; of the great men pro- duced by the war ; and said there were men about him who acted in a manner heroic and grand as the most famous of the war's chieftains.
[ 10 ]
He concluded with an apostrophe to the old flag which stilled the audience completely, and so ended a most happy address.
After which Major O'Connor was called out, and talked in his old effective way.
"Tenting on the Old Camp Ground " was sung, after which the Committee on Resolutions, through its chairman, Capt. W. S. Belden, reported the following :
WHEREAS, The Second Iowa Cavalry, when volunteers in 1861, shared the hospitalities of the people of Davenport, and again when we re- turned as veterans in 1864-65 ; and once again as citizen-soldiers in 1882; and,
WHEREAS, We feel that no other city of Iowa is so near to us, or bound by ties so dear as Davenport; therefore,
Resolved, That we hereby express our gratitude to the people of Dav- enport, especially to the ladies, for their repeated evidences of good feeling toward our regiment.
Resolved, That the recollections of these many kindnesses will be kept green in our memories and warm in our hearts so long as there remains a member of the Second Iowa Cavalry.
Resolved, That we acknowledge the courtesies of Wentz Post No. 1, of the Grand Army of the Republic, and Co. B, Iowa National Guards, and thank them for their hospitalities.
Resolved, That we extend our warmest thanks to the Academy of Science, the superintendent of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and to Col. Flagler, commander of Rock Island, for kind invitations to visit their respective institutions.
Resolved, That we also extend thanks to the various railroads, and the hotels of Davenport, for many favors shown.
The resolutions were adopted.
This ended the reception, comrades retiring to their couches for rest in order to avail themselves of the many kind invita- tions for the morrow.
Through the kind efforts of Dr. Peck and the officers of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad, a special train was furnished to the regiment to transport them to the Orphans' Home, where we were cordially received by Superintendent and Mrs. Pierce. The cottages were visited, and a general sur- vey of the institution made. The children met the regiment in the dining hall, and entertained their visitors with songs, after which Dr. W .. F. Peek made a brief address in which he described the method of conducting the institution, and of the remarkable state of health enjoyed by its inmates. Addresses were also
[ 11 ]
made by Col. Horton, Col. Sanford, General Coon, and others. The visit was greatly enjoyed by the comrades, and many were the expressions, "God bless the institution."
In the afternoon, at two o'clock, again by the efforts of Dr. Peck, and the kindness of the officers of the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific railway company, a special train was placed at the disposal of the regiment, which enabled us to accept Col. Flagler's invitation to visit the island and arsenal. On arriving at the Colonel's headquarters we were kindly received by him and shown the different points of interest on the island.
The third and last day of our stay in Davenport was drawing to a close. On our return from the island we again assembled at the armory to make preparations to depart to our several homes. Short speeches mere made by several of the regiment, the "Sweet By-and-By" sung, and promises made that if life was spared we would all be at the next reunion.
So ended the first reunion of the Second Iowa Cavalry.
Letters of regret at not being able to attend the reunion were received from many of the regiment, a few of which we here insert.
Letter from Colonel Elliott, which will be read with interest :
SAN FRANCISCO, August 25.
HON. J. M. W. RUMPLE, Dear Sir :- I regret very much my inability to be with you at the reunion of my old regiment on the 19th, 20th, and 21st inst.
Although I am a member of the army of the Cumberland, military order of the Loyal Legion, and Grand Army of the Republic, there is no organization of veterans it would give me more pleasure to be with than the Second Iowa Cavalry, a regiment excelled by no other that I saw, in either the regular or volunteer cavalry, for the war of the Union. I now call to mind the days of its organization and instruc- tion in temporary quarters at the fair grounds in Davenport, and at Benton barracks near St. Louis ; its first camp at Bird's Point. Missouri, and scout abont Sikeston, Missouri, after "Jeff Thompson," under fire for the first time at New Madrid, Missouri, the crossing of the river at Island No. 10, service around Corinth, and the first cavalry raid made during the war below Corinth - its most valuable results to us, the cut- ting off of a sufficient number of engines and cars to enable the quar- termaster and subsistence department to supply the army of the Missis- sippi from Columbus, Kentucky, history has not yet credited to that expedition. While I call to mind the foregoing incidents, I remember
[12 ]
many of the regiment individually, and occasionally meet a member of the regiment. Remember me most affectionately to the regiment, and believe me, very truly your obedient servant,
W. L. ELLIOTT,
Brevet Major General U. S. A., and late Colonel Second Iowa Cavalry.
Also a dispatch from General Hatch, that owing to his duties it was impossible for him to be present, and wishing to be re- membered to all members of the Old Second.
Likewise from Major Schnitger, United States Marshal for Wyoming, that by reason of official duties it would be impossi- ble to be present.
Also letters of regret from many of the comrades.
I now insert the names and postoffice address of those who were present and participated in the reunion :
NAME. COMPANY.
ADDRESS.
General Datus E. Coon,
Selma, Alabama.
J. W. Haman,
E
Maquoketa, Iowa.
L. H. Ferguson,
I
Urichsville, Ohio.
F .- M. Coffelt,
B
Ontario, Iowa.
J. Canfield,
B
Marshalltown, Iowa.
P. H. Ream,
B
Cambridge, Iowa.
H. E. Jones,
I
Elmira, New York.
J. H. Taylor,
C
Stewart, Iowa.
William R. Hughes,
C
Altoona,
Alex. Hill,
H
Davenport,
M. H. Pierce,
M
Iron Hill, ¥
W. W. Gates,.
F
Clarion,
John E. Williamson,
E
Rock Island, Illinois ...
G. P. Canfield, D
Altoona, Iowa.
H. H. Longwell,
H
· Keswick, 66
C. L. Jones,
I
Bristow,
Jas. Livingstone.
C
Avoca,
R. B. Springer,
L
Maquoketa, =
Michael Trucks,
C
Glidden,
Henry H. Patterson,
F
Algona, 66
W. L .- MeNeil,-
A
Fort Dodge,
Capt. F. M. Hamilton,
MI
Andrew,
C. F. Carne,
M
Louisville, Nebraska.
A. W. Flathers,
M
Maquoketa, Iowa.
R. F. MeMeans,
Andrew,
I. C. Thompson,
Fulton,
R. M. Gibson,
=
Andrew,
S. M. Gibson, .
MI
Andrew,
L. W. Usher,
L
Maquoketa, ..
60
[13]
NAME.
COMPANY.
ADDRESS.
Iowa.
J. W. Nation, A. McDonald,
G
Fulton,
Daniel Synder,
C
Dixon,
Lieut. B. A. Beeson,
B
Marshalltown, 66
C. H. Broek, R. B. Smith,
B
Centerdale,
J. U. Miller,
H
Iowa City,
Geo. Maas,
H
Iowa City,
A. G. Newman,
Land I
Clinton,
66
John Bickford,-
A
H Neosho Rapids, Kansas.
N. R. Zigler,
I
Moline, Illinois.
Elmore P. Foster,
I
Des Moines, Iowa.
Adam Borchell,
H
Morse,
James Halloway,
H
Morse,
N. J. McKelvey,
C
Davenport,
R. Snyder,
C
Dixon,
Gapt. Henry Egbert,
C
Davenport,
Lieut. J. K. Humphrey,
M
Great Bend, Kansas.
J. K. Wagner,
H
Blairstown, Iowa.
Capt. J. N. W. Rumple,
H
Marengo,
Eugene Rigby,
G
Davenport,
Henry Price,
C
Princeton,
J. F. Hahnen,
D
Des Moines,
66
Lient. Michael Conner,
C
Donahue,
Ed. F. Jones,
I
Holton, Kansas.
Capt. B. T. Styles,
C
Davenport,
Iowa.
John V. McDuffie,
B
Haynesville, Alabama.
George W. Kelsalt,
L
Canton,
Iowa.
G. W. Click,
L
Prairie City,
David R. Zigler,
I
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.