USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties, Iowa > Part 12
USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties, Iowa > Part 12
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
"The interest in the normal institutes is maintained, and, be- yond doubt, they render great aid in training the teachers who attend them.
"The receipts for all school purposes throughout the State were $5,006,023. 60, and the expenditures $5,129,279.49; but of these receipts and expenditures about $400,000 was of money borrowed to refund outstanding bonds at lower rates of interest.
"The amount on hand aggregated, at the end of the fiscal year, $2,653,356.55. This sum is, in my judgment, much larger than the necessities of the schools require, and it would be well to im- pose some check to prevent an excessive or unnecessary levy of taxes for school purposes."
The significance of such facts as these is unmistakable. Such lavish expenditures can only be accounted for by the liberality and public spirit of the people, all of whom manifest their love of popular education and their faith in the public schools by the annual dedication to their support of more than one per cent. of their entire taxable property; this too, uninterruptedly through a
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
series of years, commencing in the midst of a war which taxed their energies and resources to the extreme, and continuing through years of general depression in business-years of moder- ate yield of produce, of discouragingly low prices, and even amid the scanty surrounding and privations of pioneer life. Few hu- man enterprises have a grander significance or give evidence of a more noble purpose than the generous contributions from the scanty resources of the pioneer for the purpose of public educa- tion.
POLITICAL RECORD.
TERRITORIAL OFFICERS.
Governors-Robert Lucas, 1838-41; John Chambers, 1841-45; James Clarke, 1845.
Secretaries-William B. Conway, 1838, died 1839; James Clarke, 1839; O. H. W. Stull, 1841; Samuel J. Burr, 1843; Jesse Wil- liams, 1845.
Auditors-Jesse Williams, 1840; Wm. L. Gilbert, 1843; Robert M. Secrest, 1845.
Treasurers-Thornton Bayliss, 1839; Morgan Reno, 1840.
Judges-Charles Mason, Chief Justice, 1838; Joseph Williams, 1838, Thomas S. Wilson, 1838.
Presidents of Council-Jesse B. Browne, 1838-9; Stephen Hem- stead, 1839-40; M. Bainridge, 1840-1; Jonathan W. Parker, 1841-2; John D. Elbert, 1842-3; Thomas Cox, 1843-4; S. Clinton Hastings, 1845; Stephen Hemstead, 1845-6.
Speakers of the House-William H. Wallace, 1838-9; Edward Johnston, 1839-40; Thomas Cox, 1840-1; Warner Lewis, 1841-2; James M. Morgan, 1842-3; James P. Carleton 1843-4; James M. Morgan, 1845; George W. McCleary, 1845-6.
First Constitutional Convention, 1844-Shepherd Leffler, Presi- dent; George S. Hampton, Secretary.
Second Constitutional Convention, 1846-Enos Lowe, President; William Thompson, Secretary.
OFFICERS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
Governors-Ansel Briggs, 1846 to 1850; Stephen Hemstead, 1850 to 1854; James W. Grimes, 1854 to 1858; Ralph P. Lowe, 1858 to 1860; Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1860 to 1864; William M. Stone, 1864 to 1868; Samuel Merrill, 1868 to 1872; Cyrus C. Car- penter, 1872 to 1876; Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1876 to 1877; Joshua G. Newbold, Acting, 1877 to 1878; John H. Gear, 1878 to 1882; Buren R. Sherman, 1882 to-
Lieutenant Governors-Office created by the new Constitution, September 3, 1857-Oran Faville, 1858-9; Nicholas J. Rush, 1860-1; John R Needham, 1862-3; Enoch W. Eastman, 1864-5; Benjamin F. Gue, 1866-7; John Scott, 1868-9; M. M. Walden,
7
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
1870-1; H. C. Bulis, 1872-3; Joseph Dysart, 1874-5; Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-7; Frank T. Campbell, 1878-82; O. H. Manning, 1882 to -.
Secretaries of State-Elisha Cutler, Jr., Dec. 5, 1846, to Dec. 4, 1848; Josiah H. Bonney, Dec. 4, 1848, to Dec 2, 1850; George W. McCleary, Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 2, 1856; Elijah Sells, Dec. 1, 1856, to Jan 5, 1863; James Wright, Jan. 5, 1863, to Jan. 7, 1867; Ed. Wright, Jan. 7, 1867, to Jan 6, 1873; Josiah T. Young, Jan 6, 1873, to 1879; J. A. T; Hull, 1879 to -.
Auditors of State-Joseph T. Fales, Dec. 5, 1846 to Dec. 2, 1850; William Pattee, Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 4, 1854; Andrew J. Stevens, Dec. 4, 1854, resigned in 1855; John Pattee, Sept. 22, 1855 to Jan. 3 1859; Jonathan W. Cattell, 1859, to 1865; John A. Elliot, 1865 to 1871; John Russell, 1871 to 1875; Buren R. Sherman, 1875 to 1881; W. V. Lucas, 1881 to -.
Treasurers of State-Morgan Reno, Dec. 18, 1846, to Dec. 2, 1850; Israel Kister, Dec 2, 1850, to Dec. 4, 1852; Martin L. Mor- ris, Dec. 4, 1852, to Jan. 2, 1859; John W. Jones 1859 to 1863; William H. Holmes, 1863 to 1867; Samuel E. Rankin, 1867 to 1873; William Christy, 1873 to 1877; George W. Bemis, 1877 to 1881; Edwin G. Conger, 1881 to -.
Superintendents of Public Instruction-Office created in 1847- James Harlan, June 5, 1845 (Supreme Court decided election void); Thomas H. Benton, Jr., May 23, 1844, to June 7, 1854; James D. Eads, 1854-7; Joseph C. Stone, March to June, 1857; Maturin L. Fisher, 1857 to Dec. 1858, when the office was abolished and the duties of the office devolved upon the Secretary of the Board of Education.
Secretaries of the Board of Education-Thomas H. Benton, Jr., 1859-1863; Oran Faville, Jan. 1, 1864. Board abolished March 23, 1864.
Superintendents of Public Instruction-Office re-created March 23, 1864-Oran Faville, March 28, 1864, resigned March 1, 1867; D. Franklin Wells, March 4, 1879, to Jan., 1870; A. S. Kissell, 1870 to 1872; Alonzo Abernethy, 1872 to 1877; Carl W. von Coelln, 1877 to 1882; J. W. Akers, 1882 to -.
State Binders-Office created February 21, 1845-William M. Coles, May 1, 1855, to May 1, 1859; Frank M. Mills, 1859 to 1867; James S. Carter, 1867 to 1870; J. J. Smart, 1870 to 1874; H. A. Perkins, 1874 to 1878; Matt Parrott, 1878 to -.
Registers of the State Land Office-Anson Hart, May 5, 1855, to May 13, 1857; Theodore S. Parvin, May 13, 1857, to Jan. 3, 1859; Amos B. Miller, Jan. 3, 1859, to October, 1862; Edwin Mitchell, Oct. 31, 1862, to Jan. 5, 1863; Josiah A. Harvey, Jan. 5, 1863, to Jan. 7, 1867; Cyrus C. Carpenter, Jan. 7, 1867, to Jan. 1871; Aaron Brown, January, 1871, to January, 1875; David Se- cor, January, 1875, to 1879; J. K. Powers, 1879 to -.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
State Printers-Office created Jan. 3, 1840-Garrett D. Palmer and George Paul, 1849; William H. Merritt, 1851 to 1853; Wil- liam A. Hornish, 1853 (resigned May 16, 1853); Mahoney & Dorr, 1853 to 1855; Peter Moriarty, 1855 to 1857; John Teesdale, 1857 to 1861; Francis W. Palmer, 1861 to 1869; Frank M. Mills, 1869 to 1870; G. W. Edwards, 1870 to 1872; R. P. Clarkson, 1872 to 1878; Frank M. Mills, 1878 to -.
Adjutants General-Daniel S. Lee, 1851-5; Geo. W. McCleary, 1855-7; Elijah Sells, 1857; Jesse Bowen, 1857-61; Nathaniel Ba- ker, 1861 to 1877; John H. Looby, 1877 to 1879; W. L. Alexan- der, 1879 to -.
Attorneys General-David C. Cloud, 1843-56; Samuel A. Rice, 1856-60; Charles C. Nourse, 1861-4; Isaac L. Allen, 1865 (resigned January, 1866); Frederick E. Bissell, 1866 (died June 12, 1867); Henry O'Connor, 1867-72; Marsena E. Cutts, 1872-6; John F. McJunkin, 1877 to 1881; Smith McPherson, 1881 to -.
Presidents of the Senate-Thomas Baker, 1846-7; Thomas Hughes, 1848; John J. Selman, 1848-9; Enos Lowe, 1850-1; Wil- liam E. Leffingwell, 1852-3; Maturin L. Fisher, 1854-5; William W. Hamilton, 1856-7. Under the new Constitution, the Lieuten- ant Governor is President of the Senate.
Speakers of the House-Jesse B. Brown, 1847-8; Smiley H. Bonhan, 1849-50; George Temple, 1851-2; James Grant, 1853-4; Reuben Noble, 1855-6; Samuel McFarland, 1856-7; Stephen B. Sheledy, 1858-9; John Edwards, 1860-1: Rush Clark, 1862-3; Ja- cob Butler, 1864-5; Ed. Wright, 1866-7; John Russell, 1868-9; Aylett R. Cotton, 1870-71; James Wilson, 1872-3; John H. Gear, 1874-7; John Y. Stone, 1878-9; Lore Alford, 1880-1; G. R. Stru- ble, 1882 to -
New Constitutional Convention, 1859-Francis Springer, Presi- dent; Thos. J. Saunders, Secretary.
STATE OFFICERS, 1882.
Buren R. Sherman, Governor; O. H. Manning, Lieutenant Gov- ernor; John A. T. Hull, Secretary of State; William V. Lucas, Au- ditor of State; Edward H. Conger, Treasurer of State; James K. Powers, Register of State Land Office; W. L. Alexander, Adjutant General; Smith McPherson, Attorney General; Edward J. Holmes, Clerk of the Supreme Court; Jno. S. Runnells, Reporter Supreme Court; J. W. Akers, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Frank M. Mills, State Printer; Matt. Parrott, State Binder; Prof. Nathan R. Leonard, Superintendent of Weights and Measures; Mrs. S. B. Maxwell, State Librarian.
THE JUDICIARY. SUPREME COURT OF IOWA, 1882.
Chief Justice, Austin Adams, Dubuque; Associate Judges, Wil- liam H. Seevers, Oskaloosa; James D. Day, Sidney; James H. Roth- rock, Tipton; Joseph M. Beck, Fort Madison.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
DISTRICTS COURTS, 1882.
First Judicial District, Abraham H. Stutsman, Burlington; Sec- ond Judicial District, Edward L. Burton, Ottumwa; Third Judicial District, R. C. Henry, Mount Ayr; Fourth Judicial District, Charles H. Lewis, Cherokee; Fifth Judicial District, William H. McHenry, Des Moines; Sixth Judicial District, John C. Cook, Newton; Sev- enth Judicial District, Walter I. Hayes, Clinton; Eighth Judicial District, John Shane, Vinton; Ninth Judicial District, Sylvester Bagg, Waterloo; Tenth Judicial District, Ezekial E. Cooley, De- corah; Eleventh Judicial District, James W. Mckenzie, Hampton; Twelfth Judicial District, Geo. W. Ruddick, Waverly; Thirteenth Judicial District, Joseph R. Reed, Council Bluffs; Fourteenth Ju- dicial District, Ed. R. Duffie, Sac City.
CIRCUIT COURTS, 1882.
First Judicial Circuit, First District, William J. Jeffries, Mt. Pleasant; Second Judicial Circuit, First District, Charles Phelps, Burlington; Second Judicial Circuit, H. C. Traverse, Bloomfield; Third Judicial Circuit, D. D. Gregory, Afton; Fourth Judicial Circuit, J. R. Zuver, Sioux City; First Judicial Circuit, Fifth District, Josiah Given, Des Moines; Second Judicial Circuit, Fifth District, Stephen A. Callvert, Adel; Sixth Judicial Circuit, W. R. Lewis, Montezuma; First Judicial Circuit, Seventh District, Charles W. Chase, Clinton; Second Judicial Circuit, Seventh Dis- trict, De Witt C. Richman, Muscatine, Eighth Judicial Circuit, Christian Hedges, Marengo; Ninth Judicial Circuit, Benjamin W. Lacy, Dubuque; Tenth Judicial Circuit, Charles T. Granger, Wau- kon; Eleventh Judicial Circuit, D. D. Miracle, Webster City; Twelth Judicial Circuit, Robert G. Reineger, Charles City; Thir- teenth Judicial Circuit, C. F. Loofbourrow, Atlantic; Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, John N. Weaver, Algona.
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION.
UNITED STATES SENATORS.
(The first General Assembly failed to elect Senators.)
George W. Jones, Dubuque, Dec. 7, 1848-1858; Augustus C. Dodge, Burlington, Dec. 7, 1848-1855; James Harlan, Mt. Pleas- ant, Jan. 6, 1855-1865; James W. Grimes, Burlington, Jan. 26, 1858-died 1870; Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa City, elected Jan. 13, 1866, to fill vacancy caused by resignation of James Harlan; James Harlan, Mt. Pleasant, March 4, 1866-1872; James B. Howell, Keokuk, elected Jan. 20, 1870, to fill vacancy caused by the death of J. W. Grimes-term expired March 3d; Geo. G. Wright, Des Moines, March 4, 1871-1877; William B. Allison, Dubuque, March 4, 1872; Samuel J. Kirkwood, March 4, 1877; James W. McDill, appointed to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of S.
109
HISTORY OF IOWA.
J. Kirkwood, in 1881, and elected Jan. 1882, to fill the unexpired term; James F. Wilson, elected Jan. 1882, for the full term, be- ginning March 4, 1883.
MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Twenty-ninth Congress-1846 to 1847 .- S. Clinton Hastings; Shepherd Leffler.
Thirtieth Congress-1847 to 1849 .- First District, William. Thompson; Second District, Shepherd Leffler.
Thirty-first Congress-1849 to 1851 .- First District, First Ses- sion, Wm. Thompson; unseated by the House of Representatives on a contest, and election remanded to the people. First District, Second Session, Daniel F. Miller. Second District, Shepherd Leffler.
Thirty-second Congress-1851 to 1853 .- First District, Bern- hart Henn. Second District, Lincoln Clark.
Thirty-third Congress-1853 to 1855 .- First District, Bernhart Henn. Second District, John P. Cook.
Thirty-fourth Congress-1855 to 1857 .- First District, Augustus Hall. Second District, James Thorington.
Thirty-fifth Congress-1857 to 1859 .- First District, Samuel R. Curtis. Second District, Timothy Davis.
Thirty-sixth Congress-1859 to 1861 .- First District, Samuel R. Curtis. Second District, William Vandever.
Thirty-seventh Congress-1861 to 1863 .-- First District, First Session, Samuel R. Curtis .* First District. Second and Third Ses- sions, James F. Wilson. Second District, William Vandever.
Thirty-eighth Congress-1863 to 1865 .- First District, James F. Wilson; Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, William B. Allison; Fourth District, Josiah B. Grinnell; Fifth District, John A. Kasson; Sixth District, Asahel W. Hubbard.
Thirty-ninth Congress-1865 to 1867 .- First District, James F. Wilson; Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, William B. Allison; Fourth District, Josiah B. Grinnell; Fifth District, John A. Kasson; Sixth District, Asahel W. Hubbard.
Fortieth Congress-1867 to 1869 .- First District, James F. Wilson; Second District, Hiram Price; Third District William B. Allison; Fourth District, William Loughridge; Fifth District, Grenville M. Dodge; Sixth District, Asahel W. Hubbard.
Forty-first Congress-1869 to 1871-First District, George W. MeCrary; Second District, William Smyth; Third District, William B. Allison; Fourth District, William Loughridge; Fifth District, Frank W. Palmer; Sixth District, Charles Pomeroy.
*Vacated seat by acceptance of commission as Brigadier General, and J. F. Wilson chosen his successor.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
Forty-second Congress-1871 to 1873-First District, George W. Mccrary; Second District, Aylett R. Cotton; Third District, W. G. Donnan; Fourth District, Madison M. Waldon; Fifth Dis- trict, Frank W. Palmer; Sixth District, Jackson Orr.
Forty-third Congress-1873 to 1875-First District, George W. McCrary; Second District, Aylett R. Cotton; Third District, William G. Donnan; Fourth District, Henry O. Pratt; Fifth Dis- trict, James. Wilson; Sixth District, William Loughridge; Seventh District, John A. Kasson; Eighth District, James W. McDill; Ninth District, Jackson Orr.
Forty-fourth Congress-1875 to 1877 .- First District, George W. McCrary, Second District, John Q. Tufts; Third District, L. L. Ainsworth; Fourth District, Henry O. Pratt; Fifth District, James Wilson; Sixth District; Ezekiel S. Sampson: Seventh Dis- trict, John A. Kasson; Eighth District, James W. McDill; Ninth District, Addison Oliver.
Forty-fifth Congress-1877 to 1879 .- First District, J. C. Stone; Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, T. W. Burdick; Fourth District, H. C. Deering; Fifth District, Rush Clark; Sixth District, E. S. Sampson; Seventh District, H. J. B. Cummings; Eighth District, W. F. Sapp; Ninth District, A. Oliver.
Forty-sixth Congress-1879 to 1881 .- First District, Moses A. McCoid; Second District. Hiram Price; Third District, Thomas Updegraff; Fourth District, Nathaniel C. Deering; Fifth District, W. G. Thompson; Sixth District, James B. Weaver; Seventh Dis- trict, Edward H. Gillette; Eighth District, William F. Sapp; Ninth District, Cyrus C. Carpenter.
Forty-seventh Congress-1881 to 1883 .- First District Moses A. McCoid; Second District, Sewall S. Farwell; Third District, Thomas Updegraff; Fourth District, Nathaniel C. Deering: Fifth District, W. G. Thompson; Sixth District, Madison E. Cutts, Seventh District, Jolin A. Kasson; Eighth District, William P. Hepburn; Ninth District, Cyrus C. Carpenter.
WAR RECORD.
The State of Iowa may well be proud of her record during the War of the Rebellion, from 1861 to 1865. The following brief but comprehensive sketch of the history she made during that trying period, is largely from the pen of Col. A. P. Wood, of Du- buque, the author of "The History of Iowa and the War," one of the best works of the kind yet written.
"Whether in the promptitude of her responses to the calls made on her by the General Government, in the courage and constancy of her soldiery in the field, or in the wisdom and efficiency with which her civil administration was conducted during the trying period covered by the War of the Rebellion, Iowa proved herself the peer of any loyal State. The proclamation of her Governor, responsive to that of the President, calling for volunteers to com-
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
pose her First Regiment, was issued on the fourth day after the fall of Sumter. At the end of only a single week, men enough were reported to be in quarters (mostly in the vicinity of their own homes) to fill the regiment. These, however, were hardly more than a tithe of the number who had been offered by com- pany commanders for acceptance under the President's call. So urgent were these offers that the Governor requested (on the 24th of April) permission to organize an additional regiment. While awaiting an answer to this request, he conditionally accepted a sufficient number of companies to compose two additional regi- ments. In a short time, he was notified that both of these would be accepted. Soon after the completion of the Second and Third Regiments (which was near the close of May), the Adjutant Gen- eral of the State reported that upwards of one hundred and sev- enty companies had been tendered to the Governor to serve against the enemies of the Union.
"Much difficulty and considerable delay occurred in fitting these regiments for the field. For the First Infantry a complete outfit (not uniform) of clothing was extemporized-principally by the volunteered labor of loyal women in the different towns-from material of various colors and qualities, obtained within the limits of the State. The same was done in part for the Second Infantry. Meantime, an extra session of the General Assembly had been called by the Governor, to convene on the 15th of May. With but little delay, that body authorized a loan of $800,000 to meet the extraordinary expenses incurred, and to be incurred, by the Executive Department, in consequence of the new emergency. A wealthy merchant of the State (ex-Governor Merrill, then a resi- dent of McGregor) immediately took from the Governor a con- tract to supply a complete outfit of clothing for the three regi- ments organized, agreeing to receive, should the Governor so elect, his pay therefor in State bonds at par. This contract he executed to the letter, and a portion of the clothing (which was manufac- tured in Boston to his order) was delivered at Keokuk, the place at which the troops had rendezvoused, in exactly one month from the day on which the contract had been entered into. The re- mainder arrived only a few days later. This clothing was delivered to the regiment, but was subsequently condemned by the Govern- ment, for the reason that its color was gray, and blue had been adopted as the color to be worn by the national troops."
Other States also clothed their troops, sent forward under the first call of President Lincoln, with gray uniforms, but it was soon found that the Confederate forces were also clothed in gray, and that color was once abandoned by the Union troops. If both armies were clothed alike, annoying if not fatal mistakes were liable to be made.
But while engaged in these efforts to discharge her whole duty, in common with all the other Union-loving States in the great
-
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
emergency, Iowa was compelled to make immediate and ample pro- vision for the protection of her own borders, from threatened in- vasion on the south by the Secessionists of Missouri, and from incursions from the west and northwest by bands of hostile. Indians, who were freed from the usual restraint imposed upon them by the presence of regular troops stationed at the frontier posts. These troops are withdrawn to meet the greater and more pressing danger threatening the life of the nation at its very heart.
To provide for the adequate defense of her borders from the ravages of both rebels in arms against the Government, and of the more irresistible foes from the Western plains, the Governor of the State was authorized to raise and equip two regiments of infantry, a squadron of cavalry (not less than five companies) and a battalion of artillery (not less than three companies). Only cavalry were enlisted for home defense, however, "but," says Col. Wood, "in times of special danger, or when calls were made by the Unionists of Northern Missouri for assistance against their disloyal enemies, large numbers of militia on foot often turned out, and remained in the field until the necessity for their ser- vices had passed.
"The first order for the Iowa volunteers to move to the field was received on the 13th of June. It was issued by Gen. Lyon, then commanding the United States forces in Missouri. The First and Second Infantry immediately embarked in steamboats, and moved to Hannibal. Some two weeks later, the Third In- fantry was ordered to the same point. These three, together with many other of the earlier organized Iowa regiments, rendered their first field service in Missouri. The First Infantry formed a part of the little army with which Gen. Lyon moved on Spring- field, and fought the bloody battle of Wilson's Creek. It received unqualified praise for its gallant bearing on the field. In the fol- lowing month (September), the Third Iowa, with but very slight support, fought with honor the sanguinary engagement of Blue Mills Landing; and in November, the Seventh Iowa, as a part of a force commanded by Gen. Grant, greatly distinguished itself in the battle of Belmont, where it poured out its blood like water- losing more than half the men it took into action.
"The initial operations in which the battles referred to took place, were followed by the more important movements led by Gen. Grant, Gen. Curtis, of this state, and other commanders, which resulted in defeating the armies defending the chief strategic lines held by the Confederates in Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas, and compelling their withdrawal from much of the territory previously controlled by them in those States. In these and other movements, down to the grand cul- minating campaign by which Vicksburg was captured and the Confederacy permanently severed on the line of the Mississippi
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
River, Iowa troops took part in steadily increasing numbers. In the investment and siege of Vicksburg, the State was represented by thirty regiments and two batteries, in addition to which, eight regiments and one battery were employed on the outposts of the besieging army. The brilliancy of their exploits on the many fields where they served, won for them the highest meed of praise, both in military and civil circles. Multiplied were the terms in which expression was given to this sentiment, but these words of one of the journals of a neighboring State, 'The Iowa troops have been heroes among heroes,' embody the spirit of all.
"In the veteran re-enlistments that distinguished the closing months of 1863, above all other periods in the history of re-enlist- ments for the national armies, the Iowa three years' men (who were relatively more numerous than those of any other State) were prompt to set the example of volunteering for another term of equal length, thereby adding many thousands to the great army of those who gave this renewed and practical assurance that the cause of the Union should not be left without defenders.
"In all the important movements of 1864-65, by which the Confederacy was penetrated in every quarter, and its military power finally overthrown, the Iowa troops took part. Their drum-beat was heard on the banks of every great river of the South, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande, and everywhere they rendered the same faithful and devoted service, maintaining on all occasions their wonted reputation for valor in the field and en- durance on the march.
"Two Iowa three-year cavalry regiments were employed during the whole term of service in the operations that were in progress from 1863 to 1866 against the hostile Indians of the western plains. A portion of these men were among the last of the vol- unteer troops to be mustered out of service. The State also sup- plied a considerable number of men to the navy, who took part in most of the naval operations prosecuted against the Confederate power on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and the rivers of the West.
"The people of Iowa were early and constant workers in the sanitary field, and by their liberal gifts and personal efforts for the benefit of the soldiery, placed their State in front rank of those who became distinguished for their exhibition of patriotic benevo- lence during the period covered by the war. Agents appointed by the Governor were stationed at points convenient for rendering assistance to the sick and needy soldiers of the State, while others were employed in visiting from time to time, hospitals, camps and armies in the field, and doing whatever the circumstances rendered possible for the health and comfort of such of the Iowa soldiers as might be found there.
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