USA > Iowa > Cerro Gordo County > Mason City > Reunion of the Second Iowa Cavalry Veteran Association, 1893 > 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
M. L.
74 or
731
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
1
m
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01757 0687
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/reunionofsecondi1893seco
Da. cavalry. 2d. reat.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IOWA
SIXTH REUNION 6 th
OF THE
Second lowa Cavalry
Veteran Association,
HELD AT
MASON CITY, IOWA,
Oct. 4 and 5, 1803.
Officers :
President -- B. A. BEESON, Des Moines. lowa. Vice-Prest -- 'T. T. ANDERSON. Indianola. la. Sec'y and Treas. -- W. A. BURNAP, Mason City. Ia. Chaplain-J. B. ALBROOK. Mt. Vernon, Ia.
( II. B. SUDLOW. Executive Committee ) WILL ED. TUCKER. ( W. W. GATES.
MASON CITY : GAZETTE PRINTING CO. 1893.
-
1987731
BYRON A. BEESON.
wallge the amount of anle them 1
I submit This report.
. a
"Attention to Orders !"
6 THE SIXTHI REUNION of the old Regiment is now a mitter of history. The men whe camped and marched and fought together in the "sixtie," have again met and touche l eibows and clasped hands, and once more parted. Consid - ering the Columbian Fair an I the hard times, the attendan 'e was large, very large. . That it was a feast of comradeship, fraternity and loyalty is needless to state .- Those who were with ns are congratulate 1; those absent should be condoled. The Transportation muddle that arose, and the importance of saving the return rebate for the boys kept your Secretary away from most of the meetings, and if any seen- ing neglect appeared upon his part he wishes you to know that this was the cause. That "aere of grapes" he was saving for you was frozen just a week before you got here, consequently the Second lowa was "left" for on e on a foraging expedition. Mason City did everything for the boys you would permit. Your Association rules will not permit free entertainment, and at Iowa City you voted to not accept a free banquet; but for those prohibitions on your part our city would not have permit- ted you to pay a cent here for food or lodging. She gave heartily, f. esly, gladly, ev- erything you would permit your Secretary and Executive Committee to accept- and no town could do more,
Your Secretary wishes here to acknowledge the valuable and indispensible aid upon this report which he received during and since the reunion, from Com- rades M. Carroll, of Co. C, and Will. Ed. Tucker, (Old Pap') of Co. I.
Boys, may you all live to attend fifty more Reunions, all of them as grand as The Sixth Bi-ennial.
Fraternally, W. A. BURNAP, Secretary.
Sixth Reunion Second Iowa Cavalry.
FIRST DAY. WEDNESDAY. OCT. 1- 9 .1. M.
The reunion began at 9 a. m. Wednesday, but before 3 o'clock of Tuesday COL. HORTON and forty or fifty of the boys had arrived, and the cordial greetings and hand shakings filled up the afternoon and evening. It is useless to attempt a description of these scenes -the glad surprise, and the varness "God bless you, old boy, " as members of the different Companies would meet comrades they had not seen for years. Old sol- diers only can appreciate these feelings.
Wednesday morning at 9 a. m., the crowd, augmented by many old comrades who had arrived during the night, assembled at the Opera House- in the absence of President B. A. Beeson. not yet arrived. Col.
6
SIXTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
Horton officiating as chairman. and some business matters of the Ass'n were discussed, committees decided upon, hours for meeting arranged, &c., which occupied some time. Then followed spirited camp-fire talks from various members of the Regiment.
The erowning feature of the session was the introduction of Major Gustave Schnetgar, of Larramie, Wyoming, who had come all that dis- ' tance to meet his old boys. He came forward on the platform and was greeted with hearty applause. An attempt to follow the gallant Major in his happy, reministie speech of 20 minutes. would be as useless as the attempt to follow his old battallion in one of their wildest charges, or a night ride through the Tallahatchie river bottoms. He said he loved every member of the old Regiment, and " would like to take you all on my breast, if it was not for my big pally"-he weighs nearly 300 poun Is of well preserved, happy veteran manhood. "Py Shorge, I pretty near most have to cry, poys: Gol pless you!" He reported good health an l prosperity. He is extensively en pige I in stock-raising, and is the Fish Commissioner of Wyoming. Told a good story on Adjt. Sydenham, (old Shniderhorse) who is also in Laramie-how Syd. attempted to increase their officers' mess fund, at one time, by taking all the money they coul.I raise amongst them, and going over into an Ilinois Regiment for game of poker, assuring his mess they could live on the top shelf when he got back. He went, but came back broke-the "Suckers" cleaned him out. and the mess rations were slimmer than ever. We are sorry that we cannot give the Major's full remarks descriptive of his late years of wild western life an l interesting experiences among the desperadoes of that region during his years of residence there. His home is about 20000 feet above sea level, "and," he says, "when I go to heaven, I'll have that much the start of my comrades-but we all get there, yust the same."
Comrades Cope, of Co. B, John M. Giles an I Jake Wagas ; vat te head of ali devilment in the regiment," were in turn called out and re- sponded happily. An enthusiastic member of Co. M was followed by dear old Capt. Egbert, Col. Horton and others in interesting, well point- ed short talks.
Upon motion the following committees were duly selected and ap- pointed :
Upon Location of Next Reunion, and Officers- W. B. Brunton. Co. A, J. L. Herbert, of B. Dan. Snyder, of C, B. F. Cottrell. of D, Peter Flinn, of E, Capt. Riley, of F, Chas. Cope, of G. T. B. Allin, of HI, J. C. Smith, of 1, Dan Galbrath, of K, F. J. Hammond, L, A. G. Willis, of M.
For Collection of Dues --- John Hartinger, of A, John Tanner, of B, Isaac Gilmore, of C, Jolm Butler, of D, G. Schnetgar, of E, Henry Todd, of F, H. B. Waters, of G. L. A. Clearman, of II, Geo. Davis, of I, J. H. Goodwin, of K, W. T. Whitman, of L, J. W. Fathers, o' M. -
7
SIXTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
Committee on Resolutions-Col. Henry Egbert, Co. C, John Lu Taylor, of L, J. K. Wagner, of H.
Memorial Committee-M. Carroll, of C, W. A. Burnap, of I, H. B. Watters, of G.
Upon motion of Comrade Egbert the Secretary was instructed to have seven hundred copies of the Report of this Reunion printed.
Comra le M. Carroll was instructed by the Association to complete the ffles of the reports of our reunions now deposited at the State Uni- versity Library, State Historical Society, the Library at the Capitol at Des Moine ,, and the Soldiers' Home, at Marshalltown.
Adjourne F until 2 o'clock p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION-2 O'CLOCK.
The Association convened promptly, as per adjournment. President B. A. Beeson having arrived was given an ovation by the bays, and after addressing them in a fraternal talk, assumed his duties as presiding officer, and a lively camp fire was held.
Comrade Frank Stoddard, of Co. B. maile one of the best speeches o' the reunion, and was cheered to the echo. Jul. Canfield, also of B, followed, and he in turn by Allen, of A, Cramer, of G, Ream, of B, and comrade Shockey, of this city.
At this point the following "happy" congratulatory telegram from the Sixth III. Cavalry, in reunion at Centralia, III., was received an I read, bringing out hearty applause froni the boys:
CENTRALIA, ILL., October 4, 1593. To Commander Second Iowa Cavalry Association, Mason City, Ia .:- The Sixth Illinois Cavalry Association, in Reunion assembled, send congratulations and good . Conradeship to Second Iowa. Soft bread, sweet potatoes and chicken fixens here it abundance. Come down! we hold over to-morrow. G. E. HINCKLEY, Comd'r
Whereupon the following reply, having been enthusiastically adopt- el, was immediately returned:
MASON CITY, IOWA, Oct. 4, 1893.
Sixth Ilinois Cavalry, Centralla, III .:- The 2nd lowa Cavalry, in reunion as- sembled, return the greetings of their Comrades of the Sixth Ils. Cavalry. Chick- ens, cakes, pies and "sure enough Coffee" here. We hold over to-morrow -Shake !! C. C. HORTON & B. A. BEESON.
The i followed a royal camp-fire. kept hot by short speeches from the comrade ;, brim full of patriotism and comradeship, all emphasizing their fa th in America and her institutions, and each partienlarly urg- ing th . importance of these reunions, as valuable for the lessons they impa it to the generation that has grown up since the war. Comrades Waters, o: Co. B. the two Heineys, of G, Gilmore, of C, and Wells, "the kit of Co. C." Comrade Brunton, from far-off New Mexico. Lieut. Riley
8
SIXTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
and 'Del. Lake, of F', were followed by that grandest type of the Amer- ican christian soldier, dear old Lieut. J. C. Smith, of Co. I, who "next to the house of God, loved tliese reunions!" He had lefta sick bed at his home in Washington, Iowa, to attend this one, and al- ready felt better. He spoke withi the vigor which always character- ized him, upon the "motives that prompted the soldier to enlist." No stay-at-home, copperhead, or pension growler could intimate that he enlisted for the money there was in it. We wish every man under the reign of Iloke Smith could have heard that elo- quent, pointed address, burning with patriotism, love for the com- rades and gallant old command- ers. He was followed by Com- rade H. E. Jones, ( Curley') of I Co., in the usual witty Jones vein. COL. C. C. HORTON. he lraving to stand in place of his brother, "Jones of Kansas, " Co. I's funny man, who was unable to be with us this time. "Curley " made many happy hits, fully sustaining the reputation of the Jones family.
These exercises were accompanied and enlivened by the grand old army songs, sung in tremulous, broken voices of the old vets, to piano accompaniment of Miss Leta Burnap, daughter of Comrade W. A. Bur- nap, who came down front Minneapolis to enjoy this reunion.
After a short greeting of late arriving comrades the Association ad- journed until 8 o'clock p. m.
EVENING CAMP-FIRE.
8 O'CLOCK, P. M .- The opera house was crowded to its utmost capac- ity at the grand camp-fire of Wednesday evening. The walls of the hall and on either side of stage had been appropriately decorated. The names of many important battles and engagements of the Regiment were prominently displayed, as Farmington, luka, Corinth, Booneville, Okolona, Coffeeville, West Point, Pontotoc, Shoal Creek, Nashville and Franklin. On the stage sat President Beeson, of Des Moines, Col. C. C. Horton of Muscatine, Capt. Henry Egbert, of Davenport, Capt. II. B. Sudlow, of Rock Island, Capt. W. B. Brunton, of New Mexico, T. T. An- derson, of Indianola, H. E. Jones, of Elmira, New York, Major Schmet-
9
SIXTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
gar, of Laramie, Wyo., Will. Ed. Tucker, Mayor A. H. Cummings and Rev. C. C. Smith, of Mason City.
The exercises of the evening opened with prayer by Rev. Smith, of the First Baptist church. Miss Leta Burnap then gave a fine piano solo, which was followed by
MAYOR CUMMING'S ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
On behalf of the citizens of Mason City, who love freedom, who love liberty, I am pleased to-night to welcome the members of the 2nd Iowa Civanry, who have met in our city as our honored guests, and I want to assure you that Mason City has a little history connected with the Sec- ond lowa Cavalry, which our citizens are proud of. When war's black cloud hung like a palto'er our beloved land, and there came that call for men, among the very first to respond to that call were the little squat from Mason City, who under the gallant leadership of Gen. Datus 1. Coon, turned their backs on home and went to the front to learn there what War really was. And as we meet here to-night to roll back 'Time's rapid flight for many years, there is that reverence characterist- ic of the American people. Just before that treason-speaking gun belch- ed forth its rebel tones, we beheld the citizens engaged in their various ogsatstions, the farmer basily intent with all his energies to acquire the me: , he coall in his un lertaking. The tradesmen with their same energies, hoping to achieve suscess, the professional man, all busily in- teit with their best energies for the success of their respective callings. Bat when that treason-speaking gun was first fred, how changed the seane! All the same interests which they had devoted to their callings was displayed in the energy with which the volunteer army went forth to die, which is known to no conseript army, but only to a volunteer ar- my. When the last command of "Forward" had been given, when the command came to " Break Ranks, " the same energy which had conquer- ed war, at once turned into the various occupations which the soldier became engaged in on his discharge. Veterans, I assure you that you are heartily welcomed by the loyal citizens of Mason City, and it is the wish of overy heart that this meeting here may be one of which you shall -long retain pleasant memories, and that when the last tramp, tramp, which was started in the cause of freedom shall have ceased, that it may be taken up in the hearts of those who come after us, to go on and on until the light of heaven shall shine on earth no more."
Comrade W. A. Burnap, of Co. 1, Commander of C. H. Huntley Post, of Mason City, then extended to the regiment the
WELCOME OF THE G. A. R. POST AND CORPS.
Comrades of my own Regiment:
It is impossible for me to express the pleasure I have, as Commander of C. HI. Huntley Post, of this city, in extending to you, my old comrades of the war, the cordial and hearty welcome of my present comrades of the (. A. R. As I look into your faces the days of long ago rise like a vision; the pist an I the present all this day in my mind have been strangely blen le.l. While meeting you here my mind has often reverted. to that dy of which this is the thirty-first anniversary -- the second day of the battle of Corinth: Do you remember it ?- thirty-one years ago to-day? D) , you recall how Van Dorn and Price had swung around from Iuka and were making a grand dash, feeling so sure of the capture of Corinth that they had promised their men supper in the city that night. How many
10
SIXTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
things there are that day to remember. Last night the long lines of tired union troops, who all day yesterday had been driven back, defeat- ed, now lying on their arms ready for to-morrow's fight; the demand for surrender, coupled with the threat to shell the town, unless we complied with the demand before three o'clock this morning ; our own regiment and ourselves "standing to horse" nearly all night. That quick, sharp roar before daylight of this morning, from the rebel guns that had been run up during the night. The long lines of fire that marked the course of the bombs across the morning sky; the bursting of shells, the angry buzz of solid shot, the wicked seream of half spent balls, the "zip, zip" of red hot ones; the charge and counter-charge in front of the works: the awful stillness that preceded that new movement on the rebels' part, that would decide the day; the anxiety and uncertainty of what that movement would be. Then the denouement, that grand charge of the rebels along our whole line. How magnificently they came; here in long lines, there in massed column; steady, firmly, with lines well dress- ed, as on parade: the shock that followed. the roar of artillery, the crash of musketry, the rebel yell. the deep northern cheer. 'That there. dash of rebel Gen. Rogers and his two thousand picked men upon battery Robinet, pushing aside the abattis, filling the ditch, mounting the para- pet, placing their flag upon our works, capturing our fort-then the six- ty-four-pound shells that fell among them, literally blowing them from the works; the counter-charge of the Second lowa Infantry, retaking the fort-and, last but not least, the grand ringing northern cheer that commenced away on the right, and rolled along the line, cheer after cheer, clear to the extreme left, telling that the day was ours and the victory won!
Other days and other hours mingle with this vision of the past. Farmington, Booneville, Inka, Coffeeville, West Point, Prairie Station, Nashville, and more than thirty other battle-felds mingle their vieto- ries and defeats, their sufferings and triumphs in the thrilling . dissolv- ing view." What memories their names alone unfold!
Looking into your faces, I see those with whom I have shared the tedium and sickness of camp, the toil and danger of the seont, and the flerce excitement of battle. In the capitol at Des Moines hangs our reg- imental banner, which, though it flew in nearly forty different battles, we never lost. With you I have followed that banner to many glorious victories, and with you I have closed around it in hours of defeat. 1 owe you collectively and individually more than tongue can tell. To all I owe a debt of comradeship and devotion that will last as long as life! To many I individually owe debts for personal services rendered that I can never pay, and to some Lowe my life. God bless you all.
And now, in performance of a delegated duty, and by order of the 130 comrades of my post, who marched with us for the same common cause and under the same common flag, men who represent every arm of the service, and nearly every battle of the war -in their name, and by their order I bid you welcome to our city. They wish me to say that while here you command their best services and warmest love, and should anything be lacking either in arrangement or expression, it will be because I, as their Commander and your Secretary, have failed in my duty to call upon them, and not because they are not ready to divide ra- tions and lodgings with you, even to the last biscuit and the last single blanket. Comrades, C. H. Huntley Post and Relief Corps bid you cor- dial. hearty. enthusiastic Welcome!
11
SIXTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
The very happy response to these welcomes was made by Bugler 'T. T. Anderson, of Indianola, as follows:
BUGLER ANDERSON'S RESPONSE.
Mr. President, Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen:
It impresses me very forcibly, at this moment, that the Hon. May- or of this city has not only voiced the sentiments of his own heart in the words he has so fittingly spoken, but also of every citizen of this entire community. This impression comes to me because of the fact that on the countenance of every man, woman and child with whom your guests have met since entering this city was written in unmistakable letters, that best of all words, "Welcome." Through the correspondence of that splendid type of American citizen-soldier, our comrade and your citizen, W. A. Burnap, was foreshadowed, weeks ago, the splendid re- ception and hearty welcome, of which the Second lowa Cavalry, in its sixth reunion since the close of the war is the appreciative recipient .- The various cities of Iowa that have heretofore extended to this organ- ization the hospitality of their citizenship, we hold. at this time, in fond remembrance, but in my judgment as the years go by, and memory trav- els back to the scenes of these reunions, so dear to the heart of the soldier, Mason City will stand ont prominently in the minds of all who participated as the ground upon which was held our best reunion. And Sir, why should it not be? The organization for which I speak fully re- alizes that at this time it is rendezvoused at the old home of one of its very best commanders; and when that is said. it is the best eulogy pos- sible to prononce upon that splendid soldier and citizen, Gen. Datus E. Coon, he who left this city, in 1861, as Captain of Co. I, returning to his home at the close of the war, having won for himself not only the rank of Brevet Brigadier General, but what was better, he won the name of having sustained, by his bravery, the magnificent record of the regiment handed him by the immortal Hatch. Not only was this done, bnt during the period of his command the regiment won many and last- ing honors. We also remember to-night that we are at the home of Co. ". I," which in camp, on the battle-field and march, had a record second to none in the regiment, and in this presence to-night we greet the sur- vivors of the old Company as only comrades can do who have experienc- ed together like dangers and hardships in times of war. These men were your citizens and represented most splendidly, at that critical pe- riod in our Nation's history the loyal men and women of this city and county. Well may yon feel proud of Gen. Coon and Co. I, and the thanks of the other members of the regiment are due you for giving to the 2nd lowa Cav. a Datus E. Coon and a Co. I. Representing the regiment as I do at this moment, my duty would not be rightfully performed if I failed to mention another important and unique character, at one time a citizen of this State, known to his comrades formerly as Ed. F. Jones, of Co. I, but now as " Kansas Jones. " Those of you who are not acquaint- ed with this member of the old company, together with all who are, will regret his absence from this reunion. As a enlogy upon his life and character, allow me to say that while he stands eminently as the best story teller in the regiment, and that is admitting much, he is also in- tensely loyal; he loves the old flag and all it represents with an ardor born of intensity. Were he with'ns to-night i might predict that con- rade Jones would gather about him one of these beautiful flags and sing:
"O, wrap That flag around me, boys ---
To die were far more sweel."
This popular member of Co. I is not with us, but his brother who is can
12
SIXTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
be depended upon to take care of the name and fame of the Jones fami- ly. But, seriously, Mr. Mayor, before this reunion closes, you and your citizens will doubtless conclude that the average soldier, with hisentire soul, mind and strength, loves that starry banner and the great country it represents, with a fervency of spirit not fully understood by those who did not participate in its defense in battle.
es delivered from this rostrum, and our friends will probably be surpris- There will be many speech-
ed at the number who take the flag as a text. There is a cause for this universal reverence and love among soldiers for the flag of our country,
and to the thoughtful it must occur that in the past at some time and somewhere impressions were made upon the minds of these men tinit time instead of dimmishing intensifies. I take it that it will not be out of place at this time and under present circumstances to relate one or
two very striking incidents which occur to my mind as illustrat- ing this thought, which came under my own observation, and thit of many others in the reginfent. They were lessoas well calculated to in- spire love for the flag, but they only represent thousands of like occur- rences that happened during the eventful years from Isol to 1865. Here is a picture: It was on the 4th of Oct. 1852, at the great battle of Cor-
inth. The enemy had concentrated his forces to the right of Fo. Wil-
.
liams for the purpose of breakingour lines at that point ; the best of both armies were centered there, and the battle ragel with terrific fu- ry. Anxiety as to results filled the breast of every soldier ; the force; on either side were making a supreme effort for the mastery. To the immediate contestants the smoke of battle almost clouded the sun. The
for a moment raise the smoke so the flag in all it; beauty, as it pro i lly American Flag was in the midst of the struggle. Theatmosphere wo'd
waved over its defenders could be seen. C. D, of which I was a meal- ber, was located on an eminence, and not being in action at that time, was privileged to witness the scene. Capt. Graves called the attention of his soldiers to the flag-said he, "Look at the flag !" Twice it fell, but only for a moment-boys who loved the flag were there to take the place of their fallen comrades, and it kept floating. It was one of the grandest sights I ever witnessed, and the picture of that flag, as it dip- ped its folds in the blood of its young but brave defenders, and mingle l its very self in the patriotism which urged them on to death, is as viv- idly before me to-night as when first painted amidst the smoke of bat- tl'e at Corinth thirty-one years ago! I would address myself for a mo- ment to the young people of this audience, and ask them the question, What were the men doing under the folds of that flag at Cormth? I would burn it into their very hearts-they were not only fighting for the flag, but by the scores dying for it! and to die for the country's flag and principle is the one greatest sacrifice. Another incident : Dec. 15, 1864, at the battle of Nashville, Hatch's Division of cavalry was ordered to charge and take two of the strongest forts on the enemy's lines-an order never before nor since given to that arm of the service. Steadily the division with its intrepid leader approached what was considered by in - fantry. Generals almost impregnable strongholds ; but Gen. Hatch hal been trained in a school the text-books of which did not contain the words defeat of failure. Gen. Coon was commanding the brigade, and the brave Horton, who is with us to-night, was at the head of the old Second Iowa Cavalry. With these three in command victory was cer-
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.