USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 25
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BUCHANAN COUNTY VETERANS' REUNION, 1911
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by Reverend Boggs was a most eloquent and appropriate one. and was ably responded to by Col. Jed Lake, one of the heroes of the day, on behalf of the soldiers.
General Dickinson was chief marshal of the day and Lieutenant Donnan and Captain Weart were assistants. From the green the procession marched to Older's Grove, where the bounteous and lavish dinner and speeches were en- joyed.
A large triumphal arch had been erected in front of Union Block. eovered with greens, and bore the words. "Welcome, Brave Boys." At the Guardian office, which was all decked in green, was displayed a twelve-foot motto. gotten up in artistic style, bearing these honorary words-"'Hail, All Hail to Our Country's Defenders." Banners and flags were everywhere displayed. Three hundred soldiers of the Fifth. Ninth, and Twenty-seventh, and other regiments, marched in gallant array. bearing aloft two large Union flags; the citizens fol- lowed. The women, who followed. hore a large, beautifully-ornamented han- ner, bearing this inscription :
Thus we welcome OUR HEROES HIome from the wars. "Dulce est pro Patria Mori."
The translation is:
"It is sweet to die for one's country."
The original vignette above this motto was an eagle with the shield and flags, having beneath two soldiers' graves with cannons firing salutes over them, and a seroll with the words: "Here sleep the brave, by freedom blest."
After the feast of food came the feat of oratory. Mayor Woodward acted as toastmaster, and seventeen toasts were responded to in a most pleasing and instructive manner. Among the notables who were present and participated in this part of the program was Major-General Vandever, the gallant ex-colonel of the Ninth, who responded with a toast to "Civil Liberty." and Senator Beau, of Wisconsin, responded to "Our Union Army" in a magnificent effect. Both gentlemen did themselves proud and greatly gratified their appreciative audi- ence. Of the local prominent speakers. the returned officers and soldiers were the conspicuous part; among them, Col. Jed Lake. Capt. D. S. Lee. Capt. L. S. Brooks. Capt. O. Whitney. Captain Sill, Lieut. W. G. Donnan and D. D. Holdridge.
The music was excellent. and everything passed off most satisfactorily. In the evening there was a grand ball at Morse's Hall, and by solicitation Senator Beau gave another address at the courthouse, and MIr. Curtis, Esq., of Kentucky, also spoke.
At Independence. September 23. 1865. there was a mass convention of re- turned soldiers, held at the courthouse, at which resolutions were unanimously adopted, deelaring its allegiance and support of the republican party, and its ticket, in opposition to the democratie copperhead party. and refusing in any manner to co-operate with that party. Private George Ileath acted as chair- man, Lieut. J. L. Loomis, as secretary, Lieut. W. G. Donnan. Surgeon D. C.
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Hastings and Private Emory S. Allen, were appointed the committee on reso- lutions. Word was received by Mr. W. H. Scott, of Quasqueton, that his son, Tra C. Scott, of the First lowa Cavalry, had died in Texas. He was a splendid, strong, patriotie. Christian soldier, as testified by the letters from his comrades. Hle had written numerous letters to the papers, which showed superior mental attainments.
The Ninth lowa Infantry, in accordance with the arrangements made pre- vious to its disbandment, held a reunion of its members at Dubuque, Novem- ber 8th, the object being a permanent organization, by which through annual reunions, friendly intercourse between members might be preserved.
Other organizations were effected later on, which finally culminated in the national organization, "The Grand Army of the Republic," to whose history in this county, we shall try to do full justice.
We have devoted this considerable amount of space to the War of the Rebel- lion, deeming it after the early settlements, the most important and the most interesting period of our national, state and county life, and we have tried, with infinite pains to give a clear, complete and impartial chronicle of those events in as near as possible a chronological order.
THE WOMEN'S PART OF THE WAR
If there is a more trying degree of patriotism than that which sent the young men of the country forth to battle, and likely die for their country, or suffer the privations and discomforts of camp life, it is the suppressed grief, too deep for utterance, the horrible suspense and ever-present anxiety, of the wives, mothers, sisters and dear ones compelled to remain at home. No language can portray, no pen describe the horrible, oppressive fear that never ceased to brood over the minds of the sufferers at home. The long, interminable years of waiting and watching must have taxed their human capacity For endurance to the very utmost. The only relief was in the necessary labor. Many were left with heavy burdens to bear in providing for the family. and with too much pride to accept assis- tance, struggled on with uncomplaining endurance. Many took the places of the volunteers in the fields and carried on the work of the farm unaided. These humble heroisms of the patient, and long-suffering women of the country, are as noble and exalted and as inspired with fervent patriotism. as ever impelled a soldier at the front, "to forward! charge!" the enemy, and really demanded more endurance of faith and hope. But like the noble heroisms of the private soldiers, they must forever remain unrecorded, except in the blessed memory of those veterans who yet remain with us, and whose suffering these "ministering angels, " helped relieve, and except in the glorious result of that conflict, which we of today enjoy and must forever love and honor with patriotie gratitude.
During the war there were numerous societies which had their incentive in the desire to aid the soldiers at the front. The Soldiers' Aid Society of Inde- pendence was the first of these organizations; it was founded October 25, 1861. These societies were organized in almost every town and community in the county and did inestimable good with their liberal contributions of food, cloth- ing and money, and their zeal and interest never For a moment abated. Cer- tainly their efforts in bringing comfort and cheer to the well and alleviation to
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the sick did more to keep up the courage of the soldiers at the front than all the Government provisions for them. A Soldiers' Relief Association also was formed in May, 1862, with many of the prominent citizens of the county in its membership. A Soldiers' Friend Association was organized in March, 1864, with the same motive as the other aid societies. A detailed account of the offi- cers and work of these organizations is given in the history of the Civil war.
The women of Independence started an auxiliary to the Women's National Covenant Society, organized in Washington, D. C., for the purpose of dress reform. The movement had spread rapidly over the East and many of the most fashionable women in New York City signed the pledge not to buy any more silks, satins, velvets, fine laces and other luxuries. This was one of the many sacrifices which the women of the country took upon themselves to help alleviate the dire necessities of the army. And the women in Independenee no less patriotic and philanthropie, although they did not indulge in extravaganees, such as those rich eastern women did, yet were willing to sacrifice many pleas- ures and every possible personal vanity to aid the soldiers; and every woman certainly could deny herself something in the way of personal adormment.
Other soeieties formed in the county during the war were the U. L. A's, ".United Loyal Americans," of which there were several conneils. Wide Awake Clubs and a democratie secret society called Knights of the Goklen Cirele had lodges in both Quasqueton and Independence, but were not in existence long. These societies were supposed to be antagonistic to the administration and the war proceedings. A Wide Awake Club at Independence was organized in Oeto- ber, 1864. They elected the following officers: R. W. Wright, captain; R. Riddell, first lieutenant ; J. M. Weart, second lieutenant ; J. H. Cutter, orderly sergeant, and R. R. Plane, treasurer.
An incident shows the intense feeling which existed when Lincoln was assassinated. On Monday P. M., the following hand bill was circulated about town : "A Wretch-From the Dubuque Times of this A. M., April 17, 1865, Saturday, a female-a Mrs. Barelay-whose occupation is that of an itinerant lecturess, was on the southwestern train when the passengers received the news of the awful tragedy at Washington. On being told that President Lincoln was dead, she waved her hat and expressed delight at the news. The passengers were horror-stricken at her conduct and could find no language with which to express their detestation of her act. Think of it. A woman with a heart that delights in assassination. Lady Macbeth had a rival at last.
"That very woman was this morning driven out of Waterloo, whither the news of her conduct had followed her.
"That very woman is now in this city. Shall she here find a refuge? Citi- zens, what say yon? Come to the mayor's office at 7 o'clock this evening and say."
In pursuanee of this call a large eoncourse of all the leading men assembled at the mayor's office and appointed a committee, consisting of General Dickin- son, Mayor Lee and Esquire Hart, to wait upon the woman at the Montour House and get her own statement of the facts. To them she denied waving her hat, but expressed the same sentiments as above indieated. By unanimous in- structions from the meeting another committee thereupon warned her to leave
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town by the Tuesday A. M. ears. And she went. Other cities would not house her and she was driven from pillar to post.
A strange fact connected with this incident was that this woman had been in Indiana some months previous, giving medical lectures to women in the Presbyterian Church. She was a doctor and her name was Mrs. F. M. Barclay, and by her instructions and whole appearance gained great favor with the lead- ing ladies of the town. We are glad to see such a manly, decided manifestation of loyal plek on the part of our citizens, etc. Let this example of just indig- nation be a timely warning to any among us who might be tempted to show secession proclivities. The next proper step should be to forbid any such paper as the Dubuque Herakl to come into the town. * The time has come to set down our foot and make short work with the rebellion and all its sympathizers. We would judge the woman an anarchist, but she proved to be a sontherner. Such vehement expositions bespeak a time when freedom of speech and the press were but a name and not an actual possession in this free land of ours.
At Quasqueton the Independent Sunday School adopted resolutions express- ing their high regards, sympathy and interest in the superintendent, J. M. Benthall, and other members who had gone to the war. They lauded their cour- age and faithfulness to duty and promised their earnest prayers to God for the soldiers' protection and safe return. A copy of these resolutions was presented to each member when he left.
A most beautiful and touching tribute to be kept and cherished through all those weary, awful years and for all time to come. Lewis was promoted to ser- geant-major. Colonel Worthington had highly complimented Company E on its fine officers.
INCIDENTS OF THE WAR
During the war the American Express Company removed their agent at Independence, Mr. Charles Taylor, and appointed Mr. Northup of Dubuque to the position. This change had been made at the interposition of a number of the citizens, who were unwilling that a company evidencing its loyalty so heartily as the American Express Company, should be represented here by a man whose sympathy and influence were with the enemies of the Government.
The incumbent, Mr. Taylor, denied these charges through the county papers and voired a declaration of patriotic sentiment, but to no avail as far as his position was concerned, for he was not reinstated.
While the Fifth lowa Regiment were encamped before New Madrid, their army rations for ten days consisted of but four crackers a day apiece, half rations of sugar, coffee made from water dipped up from wagon tracks and little puddles. Ten days of such living would certainly produce an epicurean taste for crackers and coffee at least, but the boys declared this muddy. slimy water made good coffee, which required no particular effort to swallow; it slipped down without even gulping.
The board of supervisors made a mistake in the provision for bounty, giving it solely to recruits for the new regiments and not to those enlisting in the old regiments. This mistake was rectified.
Mr. Irwin of the board of supervisors offered the following resolution which passed unanimously : "Resolved, By the Board of Supervisors of Buchanan
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County, that we tender our thanks to the gallant boys of the Fifth and Ninth Regiments of Infantry, and all others who have received no bounty from this county, and that we will liberally reward them when the state of the finances of the county will permit." This was in lieu of the resolution offered by Mr. Rich to pay each and every volunteer $50.
Parties were engaged in buying up at a discount the claims for county bounties some time since adjudicated by the Supreme Court as due certain soldiers in this county, but they were perfectly valid and would be paid by a tax levied in 1870.
During the War of the Rebellion Mr. G. Dickinson offered a half acre of land to any children or society that wished to plant it to some crop for the benefit of the soldiers and under the direction of either or both the Soldiers' Aid and Soldiers' Friend societies.
Small change became so scarce in the county in the fall of 1862 that the merchants began to issue checks. This was in direct violation of the law and subject to heavy penalty. It seemed impossible to get along without some sub- stitute.
In October, 1904, occurred a reunion of the members of Company E, Ninth Towa Infantry, residing in this vicinity at the home of G. B. Smeallic as guests of their comrade Nels Bennett. The day was pleasantly spent in recounting familiar experiences. A fact of special interest was that the location of their meeting place, the ground occupied by the old Smeallie residence in the Fifth Ward, was the old fair grounds, before the war, and where the soldiers first drilled. Out of the 175 men culisted in that company during the war, which included the additional recruits, only about eighty comrades were living in 1904, and this number has greatly depleted during the last ten years. Only ten members were present for the reunion.
Vol. I -13
CHAPTER X SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
TIIE MILITIA-IN THIE CAMPS-THE AUXILIARY
On Friday, April 22, 1898, Capt. Il. A. Allen of Company E, having received orders from Adjutant-General Byers to be in readiness for immediate departure upon receipt of instructions by wire, called a meeting of the company and a physical examination was conducted by Dr. A. G. Shellito, appointed by the Government for that purpose. And this examination, condueted in accordance with the United States Army standard rules, revealed the fact that was already well established in the minds of the citizens of Independence that Company E was far above the average company. On Saturday morning, April 23d, Captain Allen received telegraphic instructions to lay in two days' rations. Upon receipt of this news everything was excitement and consternation and the town was like a disturbed beehive. Flags were unfurled and the national eolors were displayed from all the business houses, so the citizens ealled a war meeting for that night at the Y. M. C. A. Building, situated in King's Opera House, where they might give vent to their belligerent feelings, which had been eontrolled and suppressed ever since the blowing up of the Maine and through those weeks of administrative ponderance and diplomatic delay which were so tedious and unbearable to the exeited and combative population, who felt that justiee and honor and a saered trust compelled us to avenge our dead heroes, the cause of liberty and freedom, for a struggling, down trodden people, and to uphold the dignity and rights of the American Government. We had been deeply and grossly insulted as a nation, our citizens' rights and privileges ignored and defied and their homes and busi- ness interests in Cuba not only molested, but destroyed, and finally, to complete. their list of offenses, the Spanish government (so the supposition was) had foully murdered, on shipboard, 166 of our marines by exploding a submarine mine which: blew up the United States battleship Maine, anehored in the harbor of Havana. It had seemed that the deliberation and conservatism of the administration showed weakness and cowardice, and the President was sorely eritieized and maligned, but after mature deliberation of years and an impartial view of the whole situation, it is almost universally eoneeded that President MeKinley aeted with the utmost wisdom and fairness, and set an example which has but recently been emulated by President Wilson in dealing with the Mexican situation.
This suspense and delay had but aggravated publie sentiment and the popu- laee and the soldiers were almost mutinous, so when the declaration of war was finally announeed on April 19 the pent up feelings eould scareely be restrained.
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And the citizens and soldiers of Independence were no exception to the general pubhe in their opinions and conclusions.
At this war meeting feelings and opinions were vigorously expressed and patriotic sentiment grew in fervor and intensity.
Capt. Il. W. Holman called the meeting to order. Company E, in full uniform and armed, occupied the place of interest and honor and never presented a finer or more soldierly appearance.
Col. Jed Lake was called to preside at the meeting, and when Old Glory was unfurled the enthusiastic crowd broke into a prolonged and inspired cheering such as the acoustic properties of King's old opera house had never been sub- jected to endure. Appropriate patriotic speeches were made by Col. Jed Lake, Capt. II. W. Holman, E. E. Hasner, Capt. W. H. Coy, ex-Senator Harmon, J. N. lliff and J. W. Foreman, all veterans of the Civil war and heroes of the battle- fields. The recounting of their army experiences and the excellent advice given by these men could not help but inspire and encourage them to noble service for their country. Captain Allen was then called upon and made a few remarks regarding his company in which he manifested such a laudable pride. Mr. Frank Jennings also made a few appropriate remarks and W. E. Jayne coneluded the program by singing those stirring songs, "Marching Through Georgia" and "Rally Round the Flag, Boys," the audience joining in the choruses, at the con- clusion of which the war meeting adjourned.
On Sunday evening patriotic services were observed in all the churches. Com- pany E, attired in full niform, attended the services at the Congregational Church in a body, where Rev. J. W. Horner delivered a very forceful and inspir- ing sermon. The church was profusely decorated with flags and patriotic musie was a special feature. On Monday night, at 11 : 30 o'clock, Captain Allen received the final summons from the adjutant-general ordering the company to report at Des Moines the next day. The organization and arrangements were so com- plete that the Captain did not get up, and professed that he lost no sleep, nor was there any notice given to the men until the next morning.
On Tuesday morning Company E, First Regiment, I. N. G., thirty-five strong, departed for Camp MeKinley at Des Moines to report for duty. They left amid the waving of flags, the cheers of the populace, the boom of cannon, and with the sound of patriotic mmsie to inspire them. Every place of business and the public schools were closed for the oerasion and every man, woman and child in the city who could possibly do so were present to participate in the farewell demonstration and make it a fitting tribute to the boys who were about to go forth to duty, and to death, if necessary. A scene, although fraught with the deepest feelings of sorrow and pain, yet, to look back upon with pride, and one that would give them renewed courage when the monotony of camp life or the duties of war created an almost irrepressable longing for home and loved ones. Nearly all the business places and the residences were decorated with flags and the streets at an early hour were thronged with people, although the train was not due to leave until 9:30 A. M. The boys were at the armory early and began their preparations for departure with the coolness and precision born of military training. The company was composed largely of some of the best young men in Independence, occupying enviable positions in both business and social circles and representatives of prominent families. They were young, too, averaging
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some years the junior of the majority of companies. A short time before the west bound train was due the State Hospital Band appeared on the seene and discoursed patriotic airs in front of the armory, while the Occidental Band was stationed on Main Street and rendered a number of appropriate selections. The company fell into line and, under escort of the two hands and the G. A. R. veterans, marched to the depot, and there was enacted a scene such as occurred some thirty-seven years before, when the first volunteer company of the Rebel- lion departed for the field of battle. While it was a sad scene, it was also one of glory. Whatever the parting may have been at home, courageous hearts beat true and smiling good-bys were said as only brave women know how to say them when they give up their beloved husbands or offspring on the altar of their country, and the flood of tears came only with the departure of the last coach that bore them away.
At 10:30 they arrived in Waterloo and were met at the depot by a large delegation of citizens, who, through the committee, extended an invitation to the company to take dinner at the Logan House. They marched to the Chicago Great Western depot to dispose of their baggage and then reported on duty at the mess table, where their onslaughts, if judged by their ferocity and persisteney, would indicate an endurance and capacity for "war-fare" that even a band of Indians might tremble at.
To show that these soldiers had been properly drilled and disciplined in the arts and artifices of army etiquette as well as manual of arms, they adopted appropriate resolutions thanking the citizens of Waterloo for their kindness and courtesy. They left Waterloo at 3:55 and arrived at Des Moines at 8:30 P. M. and at their quarters at 9:30. Camp MeKinley was situated at the State Fair Grounds and four regiments were eneamped there. Life at camp here was typi- cal of all soldier's camps with its routine of camp duties, drills, physical exam- inations and the acquiring of recruits, arms and equipment and even though of comparatively short duration proved very irksome and monotonous to the boys who were anxious to be off to the front.
On April 27th. Governor Shaw issued a call for 1,200 men to fill out the regiments of the State Guard and authorized the sheriff to accept applications. The following morning he reported forty-one names to the governor, all of whom stood ready to respond when orders came. Many of these were from the smaller towns in the county.
Lient. Ray Snow was detailed as recruiting officer and arrived home from Des Moines May 5th to recruit thirty-five men for Company E. His head- quarters were at the armory and he completed his work and departed the next morning with thirty-five picked men. all of whom had passed the severe phys- ieal examination demanded by our Government.
Independence is never loath to giving praise and honor to her soldiers and when these last recruits departed, a large crowd of people assembled at the depot to say good-bye and show public appreciation for the prompt and eager response to their country's call. The Occidental Band was out in uniform and aecom- panied the boys to the depot where they cheered with lively patriotic airs.
Company E now had its full quota of men and would compare favorably with any Company at Camp MeKinley. A report received home a few days after this, announced that every man and officer had passed all the examinations and
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been accepted. Company E had the distinction of being the only company of the forty-eight encamped at Camp Mckinley who could boast such a record. This was a most gratifying piece of news to the home folks and filled them with intense pride in the Independence company.
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