USA > Iowa > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Iowa, including a condensed history of the state, the early settlement of the county together with sketches of its pioneers > Part 36
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
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
Upon the acceptance of each trust in the military, he main- tained his exalted position with a grandeur, glory, reticence, and sublimity worthy of the man; maintained his place on the apex, wrapped in the thought of his own originality and the consummation of his wise purposes, with that unflinching fidel- ity and honesty of purpose which challenges the admiration of all for his originality and prophetic vision, for his far-seeing intellect, which all now know was the " sesame " that opened the door of the American heart to a realization of his worth and greatness.
His whole soul was in the cause of a united and unsevered country, and those whom the exigencies of events thrust into the foreground as owners in fee of their own bodies and souls, will, and must ever look back to him for whom the nation to-day mourns, as co-equal to him who caused the consummation, in this our land " of God's great purpose, the equality of race and broth- erhood of man." These labors have borne fruits, which have
460
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
ripened in the sunshine of human progress and have been gar- nered by a progressive, busy, prosperous nation.
From the "tanner's vat " to the plains of Mexico, from Mex- ico to the woodman of St. Louis, and from thence to the carn- age of Belmont, Fort Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, and an unpre- cedented career to Appomattox, he bore the banner with the strange device, "Excelsior."
Let us not blame him for it: Ambition is one of God's best gifts to man.
It forces them out of low surroundings, out of ignorance and sloth, into the higher sunlight of the hills. It has its victims: DeLong dying in the snows, Gordon going to the rescue alone of an outlying post, Stanley permeating the wilds of Africa, Greely amid his dying companions in the frigid regions of the everlasting ice and snow of the north; not less, but greater than these, are those who from religious duty permeate the untrodden paths of uncivilization and surrender their lives as an offering on the altar, for the betterment of the race. But the world is better for them. It raises and builds temples to their memory, sacred places wherein to worship and give thanks, that patience, heroism and high aspirations are still omnipotent in the soul of man.
While the nation to-day is draped in mourning, no respect being had to former differences, all, like 'twas said of Cæsar, "beg a hair of him in memory, to bequeath it as a rich legacy unto their issue," or as was said of Maribeau, "the people crowd around the house of their tribune, as if to catch inspira- tion from his coffin," reveals to our limited vision and compre- hension the fact that greater and more abiding is the love of the American people for the fallen chieftain than the ancient columns or colossal monuments reared in memory of their illustrious dead. The memory of Gen. Grant, which to-day lives in the hearts of 55,000,000 of Americans, educated and enlightened, permeated as they are with a love of liberty as
.
461
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
sacred as each individual life, casts up a monument high as the very heavens, and broad as the portals of the universe.
Once the royal American eye looked to him for hope and sal- vation with the same strange devotion and faith as did the weary pilgrim to Mecca, for scarcely had the army of the North crossed the Rapidan, till hope and fear mingling, caused each cheek to be blanched with fear, and every heart to be almost frozen in despair until hope, intermixed with fact, brought to all a full fruition of success, which forever set at rest all fear as to the ultimate result.
Magnanimous as brave, for when the sword of that well be- loved leader of the South was tendered him, with a magnanimity co-equal to the occasion and the relation of the former foe, waives the formality of surrender and ameliorates the humility of his former citizen and friend.
Two decades go by, the honors of state are his, but no bribe ever sullied his hand, or a thought of illicit gain dimmed or scarred his pure, upright manhood.
At the ripe age of 63 he dies at the altar of his country and not at its portals. Lived and acted well his part, at a time which tried men's souls, and gave his manhood and genius to the solving of the greatest of problems, viz .: "Man's capability of self government," and died in the bosom of a sorrowing family, honored and respected by all, and his grave baptized by the tears gratefully shed by more than one hundred million of American eyes.
"Comrade! Rest in peace! Nor wreck, nor change, nor winter's flight Nor Time's remorseless doom, Shall mar one ray of Glory's light, That gilds. thy deathless tomb."
In life, we were proud of him. As an American citizen, the
462
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
homage paid to him at the courts of foreign nations, was an honor to us. Dead, we honor and revere his memory.
"Such was he, his work is done, But while the races of mankind endure, Let his great example stand Colossal, seen of every land, And keep the soldier firm, the statesman pure, 'Till in all lands and thro' all story The path of duty be the way to glory."
A. W. CLYDE.
This day recalls to mind two other days when all true hearts throughout this nation united as one family of mourners at the grave of a fallen chief.
There were signs of a keener sorrow when the body of Lin- coln was committed to its last resting place. There was the hush of a deeper pathos on the spirit of his countrymen when Garfield was followed to the tomb. For their lives went out amid the flames of civil strife, with their work unfinished. They were victims of contending passion, and the dread of an awful tragedy weighed down every mind with its menacing import.
Unlike them, Grant bade farewell to earthly scenes in the ripe- ness of years and honors, in the tranquillity of home, surrounded by the tenderest care that love can bestow. The regretful assem- blage of to-day in every part of this broad land is therefore the more remarkable as a feeling tribute to the greatness of the man. And it tells in language more eloquent than words that his great- ness was not of a kind that removes its possessor away from other men, but of a kind more worthy of admiration that draws him near to their hearts. It is testimony unimpeachable that his unparalleled success was not achieved for himself, but for his countrymen; that he wrought for the safety of their homes and their most cherished institutions; that his cause was their cause, and that his greatness is therefore esteemed as their priceless heritage and common glory.
463
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
This is true of his success in arms. To those who know of his triumphs only from the printed reports or view them in the perspective of time with all the difficulties which surrounded him, brought into full relief, his suceess is a wonder and a mys- tery whose secret is untold, while to those who marched in his campaigns and fought in his battles, it sometimes appears to be a matter of course without any very remarkable features. Neither is the correct view. Both leave out of sight a most important fact which is even yet but half understood. Although educated in the profession of arms, Grant was no carpet knight, but essentially a man of the people. With him war was not merely a trade. He resumed the sword long cast aside in the same spirit that summoned the boys in blue everywhere from peaceful homes to the dangers of camp and field. He appre- ciated the difference between a citizen soldiery and a regular army. He alone of all who rose to high command seemed to comprehend fully the strength and steadfastness of the patriotic spirit that animated the volunteers. He alone seemed to fore- see clearly the energy of action and the certainty of achieve- ment that lay in the encouragement and employment of that masterful impulse. So out of the hosts who came to put down the rebellion, rose one who had the wisdom, and the courage and the ability to employ and direct them according to their wish in putting down the rebellion. And he became their commander by becoming their leader. To this appreciation of his soldiers he united a wonderful quickness of perception in discovering the weak point in his adversary's position. There he arrayed his battle without hesitation or delay, and there dealt the conquer- ing blow. He relied on the patriotic spirit of his army with the faith that d'ared to lead on to victory. It repaid him with a kin- dred confidence and an ardor and devotion that never failed him in the hour of sorest need. The bracing tonic pervaded its ranks and imparted a steadiness of nerve against which the utmost
4
464
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
desperation of his enemy, stimulated by whisky and gunpowder, dashed out its spasmodic force in vain.
So while others were content to blockade the way of the enemy toward the north, Grant seized the gateways to the south. While others were hesitating and calling for help, or staggering under the enemy's blows, he went on conquering. While the army of the Potomac was disputing the advance of Lee from Rich- mond to Gettysburg, his army of the Tennessee cleaved the Con- federacy in twain, received the surrender of the enemy's last stronghold on the Mississippi, joined hands with the beleaguered army of the Cumberland, and hurled the concentrated forces of the enemy from Mission Ridge back into the mountains of Georgia.
So strong was the bond of mutual confidence thus welded between Grant and his victorious armies, that when he was sum- moned to answer Lee's knocking at the gates of Washington, there was only one harassing doubt in the minds of the soldiery of the West. Around a thousand camp-fires it was the daily theme of debate, until one day the cry of the newsboy rang out that "Grant was across the Rapidan." Then a cheer rose in a hundred thousand electrified throats, but it was only half uttered. For again came that anxious doubt: "Will the Army of the Potomac fight on southern soil? Will it stand true to its new commander?" And the wish was unanimous that Grant had his old army there. Then two days of excitement over, the reports of that terrific battle in the wilderness. Then the result. Grant on the march toward Richmond. All doubt is dispelled. The cheer rings forth in full chorus over valley and hill.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat. . Our Grant is marching on.
And with this inspiring thought the old army strode forth to sweep its enemy from the mountains, " from Atlantic to the sea," and then on to meet its old commander on the James.
Grant had indeed become master of the situation by his first
465
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
move. He trusted the patriotic spirit of the Army of the Potomac as he had trusted the conquering armies of the West. He arrayed it against his great enemy with like confidence and celerity. And under the new inspiration, that army repaid him by rising in a moment superior to all discouragement and dis- aster to go on its conquering way until the end.
But the more remarkable evidence that his greatness sprung from his appreciation of his countrymen, from his sympathy with their higher impulses, from his faith in their fidelity and intelligence, and from his desire for their common advancement rather than his own, is to be found in his moderation and mag- nanimity. toward the conquered, in his desire to see them return reunited under the peaceful folds of the old flag; and in his con- duct during the crisis brought on by the murder of Lincoln.
It will never be forgotten by a grateful people how in the hour of that dreadful calamity, which seemed about to drag down the pillars of state at the moment of apparent triumph into the vortex of the expiring Confederacy, all eyes were instinctively turned upon the chief of the conquering armies, with a helpless- ness of appeal for rescue, seen only when dismay paralyzes the hearts of men; how some there were who, in momentary despair, see him seize the occasion like Cæsar, draw to him those armies, mount the rein of free government and rule the land by the sword-how they quickly put away the dream as unworthy of the man, and took heart with the great majority, who looked to see him
" Bid the rising tumult cease, Calm the storm and hush to peace."
How the people of the conquered South as instinctively looked to see him interpose to stay the wrath of vengeance which their fear saw ready to burst upon their defenseless heads in expia- tion of the crime, and how calmly and completely, in that crown- ing emergency, he met the expectations of both friend and foe, and added to his splendid success in arms a mightier, and more
30
466
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
enduring triumph achieved over the hearts of all men, both con- quered and conquerers, by invoking their better impulses.
Although he has been called away, the virtues which he made resplendent remain conspicuous in the character of the Ameri- can people, adorning the humblest as well as the highest posi- tions, and while cherished will ever prove the steadfast guardians of the free government under which they have grown so great.
COL. F. W. HART.
We stand to-day in the shadow of a great sorrow.
He, who a few days ago was honored as the foremost citizen of the Republic, is now no more, and the nation mourns. From all sections of this country, and from every civilized nation of the globe, come testimonials of universal sympathy in this, the nation's hour of deep bereavement. The press everywhere vie with each other in expressions of their appreciation and the worth of our fallen chieftain. The London Globe alone refuses to render the need of praise where praise is due, and seeks to dim the luster that encircles his brow. It tauntingly, yea, in- sultingly, remarks that "Grant was neither a Wellington nor a Napoleon." How different are the facts of history. With her Majesty's press, comparisons with America are odious, whenever by such comparison she is likely to be humiliated.
The future historian will, in my judgment, accord Gen. Grant a place among the heroes of the world second to none other since the days of Cæsar. Of his illustrious achievements on the field of battle, where his marshalled hosts outnumbered far the boasted forces of a Wellington or Napoleon, I will not at- tempt to speak, but confine myself to the unfolding of some of his noble traits of character. Of his early life and mature years we are all familiar.
His birth was of humble origin. His life "in low estate be- gan, and on a simple village green."
He was not rocked in the cradle of luxury, but was early filled
467
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
with a spirit of noble daring, which was both a prophecy and promise of the future man. He made his own destiny, he carved his own monument. From the humblest walk in life he attained the highest pinnacle of fame, and "from the topmost round of fame's ladder, he stepped to the skies."
When the dark cloud of war had passed, and the roar of musketry and cannon died away across mountain and plain, with the shout of victory on the lips of all, came the ever memorable declaration from the hero of battles: "Let us have peace." Peace hath its victories as well as war, and the grandest victory of modern times, greater than the achievements of war, was the peaceful arbitration at the Geneva convention. At this conven- tion questions of momentous import were adjusted without a resort to the arbitrament of the sword. Peace triumphed and nation's honor was maintained.
The South will ever hold in grateful remembrance the name of Gen. Grant for the magnaminity and consideration shown by him to a fallen foe. This was notably so at Appomattox, at the fall of Vicksburg, and at Donelson. At the surrender of the latter named place, Gen. Buckner charged Gen. Grant with be- ing unchivalrous, which was untrue.
After the lapse of twenty years and more, it is pleasant to reflect that at the bedside of the dying hero, at Mt. McGregor, Gen. Buckner hastened to correct his mistake, and make proof of his high esteem and consideration.
A spirit of amicable relationship was ever cultivated by Gen. Grant towards the South. He gave tangible proof of his friendship by sending to the people of Virginia his compliments with $500 inclosed, to aid in building a home for the aged and infirm Confederate soldiery.
Gen. Grant was not only a man of generous impulses, but was also a man of religious convictions. While not a pro- nounced Christian, yet the whole tenor of his life was in har- mony with the Golden Rule, which bids us "do unto others as
468
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
we would have others do unto us." He also was a strict observer of the Christian's Sabbath, which he knew from the history of Athens and Rome was the bulwark of a nation's existence.
When in Paris, Gen. Grant was invited by Marshal McMa- hon, the President of the French Republic, to participate in some base amusement on the Sabbath. The General declined, and with his declination stated that as an American citizen he could not desecrate the American Sabbath. Another commend- able trait of his character was his entire freedom from all pro- fanity and obscenity. What a noble example for all to follow.
Into the sacred precincts of the General's home we will not intrude. It could have been none other than the abode of peace and love, the sweetest of all boons to mortals given, endeared by affections, and hallowed by the associations of happy by-gone years spent within its sacred shrine.
The fragrance of such an influence will be ever known and felt in all the homes of this broad land of ours.
But he is gone, and the brevity of life forces the conviction that,
"The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, And all that beauty, all that wealth 'ere gave,
Await alike the inevitable hour,
The paths of glory lead but to the grave."
We devise our plans and enter upon our life-work in joyful anticipations of the unfolding beauties of future years, when suddenly, perhaps, our lives are required of us, and the brilliant hopes of former years fade away in the nothingness of death. But to the good man, death is not the end.
Bulwer has feelingly expressed:
"There is no death. The stars go down To rise upon some fairer shore, And bright in heaven's jeweled crown, They shine forevermore."
Gen. Grant rests in the beautiful park on the classic Hudson, near the shadow of his late home, surrounded by those he loved
469
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
and served so well. The night of slumber will be short, when the morn of eternity's dawn shall awake him to an eternal day.
Upon the hearts of all should be impressed the sentiments of the poet Bonner, that,
" Beyond the smiling and the weeping, We shall be soon.
Beyond the waking and the sleeping, Beyond the sowing and the reaping, We shall be soon.
Love, rest and home! Sweet home! Lord, tarry not but come.
Beyond the blooming and the fading, We shall be soon. Beyond the shining and the shading,
Beyond the hoping and the dreading, We shall he soon.
Beyond the parting and the meeting, We shall be soon.
Beyond the farewell and the greeting,
Beyond the pulse's fever beating, We shall be soon.
Beyond the frost-chain and the fever, We shall be soon.
Beyond the rock-waste and the river, Beyond the ever and the never, We shall be soon.
Love, rest and home; sweet home!
Lord, tarry not, but come."
S. L. KING.
Ladies and Gentlemen :- Our duty, afflicted fellow citizens, on this occasion, is dictated by the dignity, wonderful achievements and resplendent virtue of the beloved man whose death we deplore.
We assemble to pay a debt to departed merit, to present to departed excellence an oblation of gratitude and respect. In this let there be sincerity in our grief, and consideration in our effu- sions of gratitude.
Well may we mourn the loss of a man, who, in time of peace is inflexible, in war invincible, calm in defeat, and in victory magnanimous. With these characteristics associate the public
470
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
services and grand achievements of the departed, and it can be truly said that General Grant belongs to his whole country.
Must we, then, realize that Grant is no more? Must the sod, not yet scarcely more than cemented on the tomb of Garfield, still moist with our tears, be so soon disturbed to admit his beloved companion, the partner of his dangers? Insatiable death !
It is decreed that General Grant shall die, but that his death shall be worthy of his life. Whilst we confide in his arm, and are marshalling our warriors to march under his banners, the God of Armies, whose counsels are beyond the scrutiny of man, prepares for us the test of our submission to his chastening rod.
The rapid disease which is selected as the instrument of his dissolution, instantaneously seizes him. Possibly his humanity delays the immediate aid to which it alone might have yielded. .
At length science flies to save him. Alas, what avail its skill against the mandates of heaven? It comes too late. It is fin- ished.
"For him no more the blazing hearth shall burn, Or tender consort wait with anxious care;
No children run to lisp their sire's return, Or climb his knees, the envied kiss to share."
The universal sorrow manifested in every part of this broad land is an unequivocal testimonial of the opinion of the worth of this great man. The place of his residence is overspread with gloom, which bespeaks the presence of a public calamity, while the prejudices of party are absorbed in the overflowing tide of national grief.
That he was dear in the hearts of all his countrymen is demon- strated by the universal expressions of sympathy during his last sickness and the unity of sentiment manifest in this general and popular observance of these last sad rites.
To observe that such a man was dear to his family would be superfluous; to describe how dear, impossible.
Come, then, warriors, statesmen, philosophers, citizens, asser-
471
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
ble around the tomb of this favorite son, with all the luxury of sorrow, recollect the important events of his life, and partake of the greatest legacy which a mortal could bequeath you, in the contemplation of his example. Whilst we solemnize this act, his disembodied spirit, if it be permitted to retrace the scenes of its terrestrial existence, will smile with approbation on the in- structive rite.
Remember the time when Providence directed to his appoint- ment as the commander-in-chief of our Federal army. Perhaps some of you, my fellow townsmen, were then languishing under the fetters of tyranny, or were imprisoned within the joyless confines of Libby or Andersonville. Your hope was fixed on him. A veteran army lay under his eye, strongly fortified. Yet did his victorious sword relieve you.
To trace the life of General Grant from the time of his ap- pointment as commander-in-chief. of the Federal army, to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox would be to name the varying history of the war of the rebellion for that period.
It is not our purpose to recount the career of this, the greatest of military captains, nor enter into a dissertation upon his ser- vices as chief executive of this great nation. Sufficient is it to say, that in official life, and as an honored private citizen, his work was well and faithfully performed. Then,
" Peace -- let the sad procession go- While cannon boom, and bells toll slow; And go, thou sacred car, Bearing our woe afar.
" Go, darkly borne, from place to place, Whose loval, sorrowing cities wait To honor, all they can, The dust of that good man.
" Go, grandly borne, with such a train As greatest kings might die to gain: The just, the wise, the brave, Attend thee to the grave.
" And you, the soldiers of the wars, Bronzed veterans, grim with noble scars, Salute him once again, Your late commander."
47.2
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
ADDRESS.
/.The following address was delivered at Logan, May 22, 1886, by Capt. Joe H. Smith, on the occasion of the annual meeting of the Veterans of the Mexican War, and was published in The Missouri Valley Times by request:
I* Mr. Chairman and Ex-Soldiers of the Mexican War: Two score years have passed since the time of the happening of the events for the commemoration of which you are assembled here to-day. The circumstances and causes therefor are fresh in the memories of but few in this intelligent audience; other matters of greater or less importance have crowded out of sight the stirring events of forty years ago. Diversified as were the opinions then, of the American people as to the cause, origin and justness of that war, the same has not been as yet settled and solved by those who have come upon the stage of action since. The great question in certain parts of the country then was the extension of territory and to extend the territory would be the extension of the national curse of slavery. Others opposed the war for the reason last stated, viz .: the extension of slavery -that slavery could, and of right should not exist in the terri- tories, that existing at all must and could only so exist in that part of the States where it was recognized at the time of the confederation. But say they, who were the men in favor of war measures? The Mexican republic is owing us seven and one- quarter millions of dollars, and they have neglected to pay us the same, and this debt must be paid; that by act of Congress Texas had been annexed as one of the States of this Union, and therefore we, as a government, must at all hazards protect its citizens and territory. To this the others reply by saying that Texas has not been legally annexed, for the reason that the Republic of Texas, at the time she accepted the terms of annexation, was a part of the Republic of Mexico, had never
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.