USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 29
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"Some of the boys began a tunnel in the latter part of July, which was a long hard job with our limited means for digging, and yet this was not the great- est of our difficulties. We were very closely guarded. The tunnel was ready to be opened some time before it was, on account of the nights being too light. When the proper time came twenty-eight made their escape, when, through the indiscretion of some of our men, it was discovered and two months of hard toil went for nothing.
"The next morning, as was expected, there was a grand yankee hunt. The dogs were out as well as the confederates themselves. They rushed around the camp yelling like fiends fresh from the lower regions, until they struck the trail, when all dashed into the woods. But the hounds did not find it such fine fun, for the boys had used plenty of black pepper, which made their dogships snort and sneeze and bay terribly. About ten in the morning the yelling in the confed- erate camp announced the capture of the prisoners, and before night, thirteen were again in the stockade.
"Imagine my feelings at seeing these comrades of mine with their torn clothes and mangled limbs. This is no idle tale but the facts as I have witnessed. The moment anyone is missing the hounds are put upon his track, and if caught he is treated as a deserter. A persevering in a second attempt means that he will be shot.
"The paroling officer is here and has paroled six hundred and forty men, but I am not among the lucky number." (J. W. R., Dec., '64.) 248
The Thirty-Seventh Iowa, called the Grey Beard Regiment because it con- tained not a man under forty-five, was mustered out in 1865. Only two were left in the regiment who went from here, and these were H. H. Linsley and Robert Yard.
No sooner were the soldiers in camp than a movement began to keep them supplied with comforts and often later with the necessities of army life. Or- ganizations were perfected for sending the contributions to the front. An early announcement reads : "The last meeting of the Soldiers' Aid Society will be held at the home of Mrs. W. A. Betts on Friday afternoon at half past one; the male members of the society are requested to be present, as the ladies wish to con- sult with them in regard to the distribution of the articles."
A great variety of means was employed to raise funds for sending these supplies. Entertainment and festival alike kept everyone informed of the doings of this relief association. The entire county took this matter up in May, 1862, calling the citizens in mass meeting to devise ways and means to assist the soldiers in the field. The call was signed by eleven men of the county.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
This organization adopted a constitution containing provisions for the relief of wounded soldiers, residents of or enlisted from the county, to provide them necessary supplies, and to return, free of expense to friends, when necessary, the bodies of volunteers from this county slain or dying in the service of their gov- ernment. Any person could become a member by contributing to its funds. Three committees were appointed according to its constitution-surgical con- mittee, burial and finance.
When the order was issued by the Adjutant General for the organization of the home guards the county at once took action. This order included all points, and was for the purpose of preserving order at home. J. W. Kynett was elected Captain, J. D. Mitchell Ist Lieut. and J. W. Casad 2nd Lieut.
While the county at first got credit for only two entire companies, it furnished many to companies outside the county. In the Eleventh Regiment, besides hav- ing one company, there was a large representation in three others. Company I, of Muscatine, had eighteen from Cedar county. Mount Vernon had a number. The company from Wilton, close to Cedar's border, had more than forty from this county. Men from Cedar were in the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and in the Second Cavalry. All summed up the number would compose four companies additional to those credited to the county. Such an arrangement came about from the associations of men near to the county lines, and the same conditions often happened, doubtless, in other parts of the state.
. A great celebration was prepared for the Fourth of July, 1865, after the war was over. The assassination of Lincoln had cast a gloom over the community, but events passed so rapidly, time was so fully occupied, that new topics came up for adjustment in rapid succession. The bitterness of war was not gone, for there were broken hearts everywhere. Yet in the observance of the day of Independence an effort was made to bring about a union of sentiment in the future growth and recovery from the great disaster. In the midst of these plans, when the program of the day was nearly finished, an event occurred that was more than ordinary in its effect. One man who had often expressed his sympathy with the treasonable side was honored with a place on the pro- gram ; an opportunity to redeem himself which he failed to improve. The report states that, "Attempting to respond to the toast 'My Fatherland,' he was some- what hastily ejected from the platform." Among the speakers on this program of peace were Sylvanus Yates, J. W. Kynett, L. L. Sweet, W. H. Wynn, Capt. Safley, Revs. Pancoast and M. K. Cross, and Capt. W. P. Wolf. The topics were of war events or of the heroes concerned in them.
On the ninety-first anniversary of American Independence the Soldiers' Monument, which now stands in front of the city library in Tipton, was dedi- cated. Then it stood in the center of the square, and so remained until the time of the erection of the Carnegie library, when it was moved to its present position.
The square was once the playground of the public schools, and a general common in the early days. After the Civil War, before soldiers had settled down into the ordinary ranks of citizens, a movement was begun to erect a shaft to their memory. The call for the consideration of this subject came in June, 1865, in time for action and incorporation before the memorable celebration on July 4 jutt referred to. At the time of this patriotic meeting the first subscrip-
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tions were taken, the amount reported as six hundred and fifty dollars being raised in a few minutes. From time to time other sums were added until the amount of three thousand dollars had been raised. Of this sum one-half was voted from the county funds, the other fifteen hundred being private gifts in sums of twenty-five dollars or below.
After suitable designs had been submitted the one offered by an Iowa firm was selected, and the cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1867, under the auspices and in accordance with the ritual of the Masonic order. The veterans of the Civil War led the march on that day, and they came from all parts of the county. The Odd Fellows and Good Templars, followed by the Masons, came in order, and an entire day was consumed in the regular program.
The names of all the soldiers from the county were read by Rev. Kynett, the Declaration of Independence was read by Capt. Wolf, and an oration was de- livered by Rev. S. Pancoast.
An appeal was made at this time for a sum sufficient to put an iron fence about the monument square, and a sum of about three hundred dollars was raised in a short time.
The block selected for this monument was early set aside as block thirty-two for county purposes, and this was donated to the monument association, later in its history to be given again to the public for library purposes also.
When the cornerstone was laid it contained the names of the officers of the association, and the names also of all members who contributed the sums of one dollar or more. The largest individual subscription was twenty-five dollars and the smallest twenty cents, so far as noted.
On reaching the monument square the order of exercises made necessary by the laying of the cornerstone included the assignment of the soldiers and orders in a definite arrangement. The Masons having charge of the ceremony approached the monument from the east, arriving at an arch decorated with evergreens, where the Master and his officers passed through the lines to the platform, while the remainder of the brothers formed a hollow square. Grand Master Rev. J. W. Kynett conducted the ceremonies. Deputy Grand Master J. W. Casad, holding a vessel of corn, stood east of the cornerstone. Senior Grand Warden Rev. G. M. Scott, holding a vessel containing wine, stood west of the cornerstone, and Junior Grand Warden Wm. H. Cobb, holding a vessel contain- ing oil, occupied a position to the south. The ceremonies were opened by music and prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. E. Skinner. The several implements of Masonry were applied in the laying of the cornerstone and the part of con- secration followed.
The Deputy Grand Master went forward with the corn and scattering it on the stone said :
"I scatter this corn as an emblem of plenty. May the blessings of bounte- ous Heaven be showered upon us and upon all like patriotic and benevolent undertakings, and inspire the hearts with virtue, wisdom, and gratitude."
The Senior Grand Warden then went forward with the wine, and pouring it upon the stone said :
"I pour this wine as an emblem of joy and gladness. May the Great Ruler of the Universe bless and prosper our National, State, and City Governments,
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preserve the union of the States, and may it be a bond of friendship and broth- erly love that shall endure through all time."
The Junior Grand Warden then came forward with the oil, and pouring it upon the foundation stone said :
"I pour this oil as an emblem of peace. May its blessings abide with us continually, and may the Grand Master of earth and heaven shelter and protect the widow and orphan, shield and protect them from trials and vicissitudes of the world, and so bestow his mercy upon the bereaved, the afflicted, and the sor- rowing that they may know sorrow and trouble no more."
The Grand Master offered the invocation and, after the public grand honors were given, a short address by the Grand Master followed, closing this part of the exercises on this memorable Fourth of July.
A circular was issued to the families of those who had lost their lives in the war asking for all the details, and this information appears either upon the monument itself or in the roster of companies.
Not until October of 1867 was the monument completed by the contractors, W. H. Simpson & Co. It has a fitting inscription on the west front :249
TO HER SONS, BELOVED AND HONORED, WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR OF THE REBELLION. CEDAR COUNTY IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE HAS ERECTED THIS MONUMENT, A. D. 1867.
The names of the dead appear on the three remaining sides in order.
It is probably known to most of the citizens of the county that William Beaver Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was named in honor of the first man from Cedar County to fall in battle, a member of Company A, Fifth Iowa Infantry. His death occurred about the sixth of March, 1862, while on a scout- ing expedition, near New Madrid, Missouri. Coming at this time early in the company's history it brought home to the community from which he went the real facts of war. A wife and five children were left at home when he set out for battlefields never to return. Some time in 1897 a paper was found that was of much interest to members of the Post since it contains what is given of an inscription on the stone or marker of Wm. Beaver's grave.
The paper mentioned was found among the effects of Mrs. Hall in the north part of town. It was in the handwriting of her son, who was a member of the same regiment as Wm. Beaver. The paper containing the words was turned over to the Post as a part of their history.
The inscription, which seems from its reading to have been put there by hands not friendly but yet not wholly forgetful, reads as follows :
WILLIAM BEAVER Welcome here.
This is the spot where one not satisfied with leaving other folks alone would insist on being buried, a LINCOLNITE
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Killed the 4th of March, 1862, while on picket duty by the 1
Confederate pickets, New Madrid, Missouri. This Yankee said he belonged to the Fifth Iowa Regt.
The very first observance of Memorial Day occurred when a number of citizens formed in line of march and went to the strains of martial music, that music yet inspiring to the old soldier, to decorate the new monument erected so recently in the square. From that time, May 30, 1868, to the present day, with some slight interruptions the custom has prevailed and no day set apart for re- membering the soldier dead is complete unless the children take part in these ceremonies and lay their contribution of flowers at the foot of the monument through the intervening hands of the Grand Army.
At this first observance, Capt. E. H. Pound made a short address fitting such a day and Lieut. Bull called the roll of the honored dead. The wreaths were placed for the first time and Rev. G. M. Scott pronounced the benediction.
William Beaver Relief Corps, composed originally of twenty-one members, wives and daughters of veterans of the Civil War, or of previous wars, was instituted in Tipton in 1891. Mrs. Alice Lytle, of Iowa City, the officer in charge of this work, officiated on that occasion. Other ladies are admitted to this organization now besides the ones mentioned in the beginning of its exist- ence. This is the only Relief Corps in the county.
On each Memorial Day Comstock Post of Mechanicsville, J. Q. Wilds Post of Stanwood, and Hoyman Post of Clarence are represented in the exercises and have a place reserved for them in the line of march. Their names will continue to stand in memory of the comrade who fell in battle or left his command to die in loneliness of wounds or disease. The ranks grow thinner and thinner, and soon there will be no old soldier to march on May 30th to guide the younger citi- zens into the sacred precincts of the veteran dead.
The story of the death of Capt. J. C. Gue is full of tragedy, full of sadness, if one can picture to himself the story of his comrade on that fateful afternoon. It was about two by the clock when this foraging party of some fifteen men, the captain and one sergeant, went for sweet potatoes to feed the hungry company. Not finding any near at hand they had gone some distance, probably six miles, before arriving at a plantation where the supply was sufficient.
Engaged in the digging and filling the army wagon to return to camp their attention was called to a party of horsemen coming in their direction, part of them in blue coats. A discussion arose as to the nature of the men approaching, were they enemies or friends? The old landlord of the plantation declared them to be union men because they had gone that way the day before.
Capt. Gue at this time said "he would see," and forthwith set out. At his ap- proach the one who had tarried behind the main body saluted and the captain rode directly toward him along the edge of the field. When he had come within a distance of fifty yards, without warning so far as one could tell, although he may have been called upon to surrender, the confederate raised his carbine and shot him down. Before the rest of his companions could reach him, the robber had done his work, securing the revolver and sword of the captain. He even pulled off his new boots which he had but recently purchased, but he missed
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the watch which in the fall from the horse became hidden in the clothing. Capt. Gue rode the colonel's horse and the confederates endeavored to secure that, but after the shooting the horse remained about half way between the two parties making it possible to secure him through the efforts of the only two mounted men in the foraging company. The wagon was loaded with the pota- toes and then the sad duty of placing the dead captain's body on that to take it to camp the six miles, fell to the lot of his command. There were some who went out with the foragers who were musicians and being unarmed re- turned to camp as soon as danger threatened. Carrying the news to camp that the whole company was surrounded, the regiment turned out under orders to rescue them and they were met by the returning party and their sad message.
Captain Gue was buried at that camp by a detail, the regiment being ordered into battle before the honors of war could be paid to the dead comrade. His body is supposed to have been recovered long afterward by his brother, Hon. B. F. Gue, and reinterred at Vicksburg. Sergt. Andrew Pierce, of Wm. Beaver Post, states these facts as he remembers them on that day long ago.249
The first movement toward organizing for a county reunion was made in August, 1879. A permanent organization was recommended at that time. F. L. Sheldon, J. E. Pickering and C. L. Longley were appointed on this committee. Remarks were made at this time approving of such a movement by T. W. Max- son, O. D. Heald, L. L. Sweet and others.
In October following the above preliminary meeting the promised reunion materialized, and a great gathering of veterans from the county met at the fair- grounds for a two days' meeting. At this time the roster showed Grand Army men from nearly every northern state. Eleven were present from the Second Iowa Cavalry; nine from the Fifth Infantry, nearly all from Company A, the old guards; sixteen from Company E of the Eleventh Infantry; of the Twenty- fourth Iowa, seventeen from Company C, nineteen from B, were there and four from other companies. Twenty-one members of the Thirty-Fifth answered to roll call. Many others from Iowa regiments were present. At this meeting, in addition to the outlined program, a permanent organization was arranged for and completed.
A most interesting event occurred at this time when the battleflags of the Fifth, Eleventh, Twenty-Fourth, and Thirty-Fifth Infantry, kindly loaned by Gov. Gear, were on the stand in the hands of D. R. Smith, D. Cummins, James Dickinson and Jacob Onstott, who acted as color bearers during the day. The flags were tightly furled and tied up, but the men who followed them would not be denied one more sight of these revered emblems. They were carefully un- furled, and, as their torn and battered folds spread into view the names they bore, the Cornell Light Artillery fired a salute, and "the two hundred veterans stood uncovered and in silence while the unbidden tear filled every eye."
Fully three thousand assembled at this reunion. After the speech making and story telling was all done the old flags were taken out upon the race track, the representatives of each of the four regiments mentioned fell in behind their respective colors, those from other regiments forming by themselves, and after a few preliminary commands, as it was said, "just to limber up a little," they set off around the track, once more following their war flag after fifteen years.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Another great reunion was held in the county in October, 1882, when organ- ized companies of veterans bearing arms loaned for this purpose participated in a sham battle witnessed by ten thousand people. This was held on the fair grounds where the camp was located, and it is reported that two hours' time was required for the crowd to disperse after the program.
According to arrangement the southern flag was displayed from the north- west corner of the grounds where Capt. Creitz was in command of the Wilton, West Branch, and Atalissa companies. On the opposite side of the grounds were Capt. Kelly and the Stanwood and Tipton companies-both sides having additional support from scattered reinforcements. After due effort was made the rebel position was taken and their colors captured. It is said that the wounded on the Federal side were tenderly cared for by the Muscatine drum corps, con- sisting of Becky, the old drum major of the Thirty-Fifth Iowa, and his company:
After the mock war was over the Cedar County Veterans' Association was presented with a shell brought from the field of Gettysburg.
: The Twenty-Fourth Iowa Volunteers held their Seventh reunion in Tipton in September, 1897. On that occasion something more than seventy-five mem- bers enrolled, and the history of the regiment was seen in review. A short time before this reunion their former major, and after the death of Col. Wilds, their Colonel, Gen. Ed Wright, of Des Moines, had died and the members of the regiment mourned his loss at this gathering. Col. Wilds was killed at Win- chester, where the Twenty-Fourth fought with Sheridan, and where they saw that gallant commander on his famous ride of "twenty miles away." Gen. Wright took command there, and sought to make his regiment a model. It will be re- lated elsewhere of the place of Gen. Wright in the history of this county. His daughter, Miss Flora Wright, was in attendance at this reunion, and the mem- bers called her the daughter of the regiment.
The sham battle at the great reunion of 1882 had one feature of sadness con- nected with it, when by the premature discharge of a cannon the arm of one man was blown away and others were injured seriously. At the gate when the crowd was leaving a collection was taken for the colored man who had lost his arm and a hatful of money was the result. Probably his name would be familiar to the younger generation by saying that he was the husband of "Mammy" Powell.
At the reunion of the Twenty-fourth Iowa in Tipton, September, 1909, the history of the regiment, the days of departure for the field of action, the long story of conflict, and the return were told in eloquent words, so rich in their sentiment, so full of emotion, and so personal that they seem to be sacred.
It is allowed to incorporate in this chapter some of the utterances on that occasion by permission of those who are the fortunate possessors of the elo- quence, the experience, and the liberality expressed in the quotations.
Captain Rathbun indicated the purpose of the reunion in the words which follow :
"We came to your city today to participate in a reunion of what is known as the Twenty-fourth Iowa Regimental Association, an organization composed of one of Iowa's regiments which served in the army of the Union during the war of the rebellion.
"To some of us, however, it is more than a reunion-a home coming as well.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
"Two companies of the ten, two hundred of the original members of the regi- ment were recruited here. This is our second reunion in your city. The first was in September, 1897. The welcome we received then, and the universal hos- pitality extended has never been forgotten, but has been remembered with the greatest pleasure by all whose good fortune it was to be here at that time.
"Of the nearly 1,000 members of the regiment when it was mustered into service, our corresponding secretary, Comrade H. C. Kurtz, informs me that there are about 450 members living today. But the homes of many are so distant that at five o'clock this evening the enrollment here was only 91. By companies as follows :
"A-5, B-23, C-15, D-9, E-6, F-13, G-I, H-7, I-7, K-5.
"Unless we recall the fact that nearly five decades have passed since the enlistment, it may seem strange that the numbers surviving are so few. But perhaps Providence has been as kind to those who went to the front as to those who remained at home. So far as I know there is but one who was in business in Tipton in 1862 who is in business here today. I presume it is about the same in all towns where the companies were raised.
"In the address of welcome tonight the history of the regiment was con- cisely and correctly though briefly stated and it is unnecessary for me to repeat. Suffice it to say that the Twenty-fourth does not claim to be the regiment that 'put down the rebellion,' but it was one of Iowa's fifty-five regiments which served in the Union army, one of the 2,700 regiments which composed the grandest and bravest army of the centuries, and it can be truthfully said that no other regiment did better service, no other regiment has a better record in the archives of the War Department. With this its members should be and are con- tent."250
When permission was given to use the address of Hon. C. L. Longley, of Vicksburg, formerly editor of the Advertiser, it was the intention to take the historical data, but the address is too full of the inspiring words the soldier loved to hear to omit anything :
"When I was young-ah, woful when- Ah, for the change twixt now and then! Naught cared this body for wind and weather When Youth and I dwelt in't together."
"Fifty-five years ago this month I first crossed the plot of ground where we now stand on my way to the little old brick still seen to my left-then Tip- ton's sole school building; and, standing here today and looking down the vista of those years, I can well say, with our silver tongued comrade, who long since answered the final roll call, 'The past rises before me like a dream.' For seven or eight consecutive years this spot was playground, rendezvous, trysting place ; it then acquired associations that made of it a shrine.
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