USA > Iowa > Delaware County > Manchester > Reunion of the 12th Iowa V.[eteran] V.[olunteer] infantry 1st-8th, 1880-1903 > Part 10
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The "Red, White and Blue" was then sung by Miss Carrie Toogood, in a very agreeable style, the audience taking up the chorus with great animation.
Col. Stibbs then presented to the audience, Sergeant Grannis, who carried the colors of the 12th all through the war and in eve- ry engagement. Ile had the old battle flag of the regiment on the stage, and the boys, as he stood with it on the platform, gathered about him and sang "The Battle Cry of Freedom" with a vim that would have scared a brigade of Johnnies.
The "exercise" put down on the program as the "Grand Love Feast" followed, and was begun by Col. Jack Stibbs, who rend- ered a German version of "Barbara Frietchie," an humorous pro- duction that continued the wild uproar of enthusiasm.
25
TWELFTH IOWA V. V. INFANTRY.
BARBARIE FRIETCHIE -NEW VERSION.
Id was droo der streeds of Fredericksdown, Der red-hot zun he was shine him down,
Bast der zaloons all filt mit bier, Der rebel vellers valked on dier ear.
All day droo Fredericksdown so fast, Horses, und guns, und zogers bast.
Der rebel flag he shone him oud so bridt. As if, by Jinks, he got some ridt.
Vere vas der Onion flag? Der zun lle look him down not on a von.
Up jumped dot oft Miss Frietchie den, Zo oldt by nine score year und ten.
She grabbed up der oldt dag der men haul down, Und fasen id ginck by her nidtgown.
Den she sot by der vindow ver all could see Dere vos non vot lofe dot flag so free.
Purty soon come ridin' up Stonewall Jack, Sittin' from der mittle of his horse's back.
Under him brow be squint him eyes ; Dot flag ! dot make him great surprise.
Halt ! each veller make him sdill,
, Fire ? was echoed from hill to hill.
Id busted der sdrings from dot nidtgown, But Barbarie Frietchie, she was arount.
She grabbed der flag again so guick, Und oud of der vindow her arms did sdick.
"Obuse of you would dis olt bald head, But leave alone dot flag !" she said.
Zo zoon, zo quick as Jack could do, He holler him out mit a face zo blue :
"Who bulls one hair out of dat bald head, Dies awful guick, go aheadt !" he said.
Und all dot day, und all dot night, Till efery rebel vos out of site.
Und leave behind him dot Fredericksdown, Dot flag he vas sthicken by dot nidtgown.
Dame Barbarie Frietchie's vork is done, She don't forever got some fun.
Bully for her! und drop a tear For dot old voman mitond some fear.
26
SECOND REUNION OF THE
Col. Henderson then introduced Harvey Smith, of Waterloo, who gave a very interesting account of his recent visit, with the late excursion, to the battlefield of Shiloh in a speech of 45 min- utes, after which he called attention to the relics brought from the field, which consisted of several pieces of wood from the trees on the old battle ground, cannon balls and canister shot, old rusty bayonet, flint locks, fragments of shell, rebel bullet mould, etc, etc.
After singing by the Glee Club, and the benediction by Chap- lain Humphrey, the meeting adjourned.
The Following is the Roll of Members Present.
REGIMENTAL AND FIELD OFFICERS.
James Barr, Assistant Surgeon, Algona, Iowa. W. R. Marshall, Col 7th Minnesota, St. Paul. F. Humphrey, Chaplain, Fairmont, Minn.
S. G. Knee, Lt. Col .. Colesburg, lowa. J. 11 Stibbs. Col. & B'yt Brig. Gen. Chicago, S. D. Brodtbeck, Major, Denver, Colorado.
G. II. Mortsey, Major, Manchester, lowa J. L. Geddes. Brig. Commander, Vinton, Ia,
COMPANY A.
11. A. Cramer, Nevada, Iowa
J. 11. Bowers, Eldora, lowa. S. R. Edgington, Eldora, Iowa, S. Kemp, Alden, lowa.
G. A. Cobb, Eldora, Iowa. B F. Ibach,
W. W Moore, Manchester, lowa. R. P. Clarkson, Des Moines, lowa. E. S. Sawin, Union, lowa. A. E. Webb, lowa Falls, Iowa. T. R. Bell, lowa Falls, low ...
COMPANY B.
John Dowling. French Creek, Iowa. J. A. Decker, Lansing. lowa. Geo. Ibach, Preston, Minnesota. I. B. S. Isted, Milwaukee, Wis.
A. J. Rogers, Waukon, Iowa. IL. R. Andrews, West Union, Iowa. W. P. Winters, Bancroft, lowa Mrs, Fred Lankins, Chicago, Il.
COMPANY C.
S. C. Beck, Waverly, lowa. James Stewart, West Union, Iowa.
II. B. Clark, Melburn, lowa. J. E. Kent, Oelwein, Iowa. W. A. Hamilin, Plymouth, lowa. Samuel Conner, Maxwell, Iowa. J. W. Ba linger, Lacy, lowa. S. Gifford, Auburn, Iowa. P. R Woods, Fayette, lowa. Hart Spears, Mill,
D. W. Reed. Wankon,
P. R. Ketchum, Windsor, lowa.
G. Hazlett, Allison,
F. W. Moine, Strawberry Point, Iowa
A. K. Ketchum, Clarion,
G li. Latimer, Mill, ..
G. W. Proctor, Laurens, Iowa. R. Z. Latimer, Fayelle, Iowa,
D. E Mccall, Calver, Kansas.
R. I. Rogers, Wancoma, lowa.
Il. J. Grannis, Flag Bearer, Fayette, Iowa. Geo. E. Comstock, Manchester, lowa.
(. J. Martin, Tripoli, lowa. E. A. Kelsey, Geo 1. Durno, Springville, Iowa. D. B. Henderson, Dubuque. "
W. L. Henderson, LeRoy, Minn.
.1. 1 .. Jordan, Bull City, Kansas.
J. II. Carmichael, Volga City, lowa.
IL. C. Curtis, Le Mars, lowa.
G II. Jakway, Lamont, "
27
TWELFTH IOWA V. V. INFANTRY.
COMPANY D.
Dennis Conley, Davenport, lowa. W. A Trobridge, Des Moines, lowa.
Francis Curran, Marion, Jowa. F. Dubois, Dennison,
Herman Elgin, Grafton,
W. Bomgardner, Scranton, Iowa.
B. P. Zuver, Adams, Neh Lyman M. Ayers, Cedar Rapids, lowa. S. R. Burch, Olathe, Kansas.
Thomas J. Lewis, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 1. W. Rowan, Vinton, Iowa. James Galliger, Creete, Neb.
T. L. Prescott, Chicago, III.
E. B. Soper, Emmelisburg, lowa. Win. W. Whitnack, Waterloo, Iowa.
Edwin A. Buttolph, Cedar Rapids, Jowa
J. 11. Stibbs, Chicago, Illinois.
J. N. Weaver, Algona, lowa.
COMPANY E.
Wm. Hamilton, La Porte City, Jowa. E. Sawyer,
B. E Eberhart, ..
J. W. Rich, Vinton, lowa.
F. Large, La Porte City, Jowa. David Schrack, Oelwein,
David Craighton, Geneva, lowa.
A. W. Myers, Shell Rock,
C. V. Surfus, Bristow, Iowa. J. S. Margretz, Hitesville, Jowa. J. C Jones, Hampton, A. J. Biller, Waterloo,
A. B. Perry, Lester, lowa.
Jobn Elwell, 93, Ex. Building, Chicago, III T M Early, Bristow, lowa. Harvey Smith, Waterloo, lowa.
COMPANY F.
W. Il. Bucknam, Dubuque, lowa. W. W. Mann. Rummellsburg, Nebraska. (. Thorn, Waverly, lowa. W. A. Nelson, Hazelton, lowa. T. C. Nelson, ..
J. J Eaton, Edgewood, James Trumble, Manchester, lowa. 11. W. Mackey, Maynard, A. 1. Majming, Dunlap,
11. J. T. Small, 452 Wood st., Chicago, III.
Gen Kent, Oelwein, Iowa. C. W. Woolridge, Carthage, D. T. 11. M. Preston, Ft. Dodge, lowa. Samuel Kaltenbach, Manchester, lowa Joshua Widger, . .
Joseph S. Ghton. Hazelton, lowa. W. Il. Goodell, Manchester, J. F. Lee, Clay Mills, lowa. Ed. Correll, Greeley, J W. Gut, Peoria, Il. John Bremner, Yankton, D. T. Abner Dunham, Manchester, Iowa. Hiram Kaster, ..
R. W. Terrill,
R. L .. Werden, Nugent.
S. M. French, Steamboat Springs, Colorado John F. Lee, Council Grove, Kansas. John Ous, Manchester. lowa. Thomas MeGowan, Independence, lowa.
COMPANY G.
O. P. Rocksvold, Tholon, lowa. G. W. Kirkland, Freeport, lowa. J. K. Simpson, Dubuque, A. E. Anderson, Calmar, D. O. Aaker, Ridgeway, John Steen, Wahoo, Neb.
J. Shorter, Shell Rock, Jowa. J. A. Light, Norfolk, Neb. A. T. Garner, Farley, lowa. S. C. Fishel, Jowa Falls, lowa. 1I. S. Briggs, Marens, .. J. A. Van Anda, Fremont, Neb. J. B. Flenniken, Norfolk, D. W. Moreland. Earlville, lowa. James Evans, Dubuque, lowa.
M. D. Nagle, Dubmque, Iowa M. B. Goodman, Ord, Neb J. S. Ray, Naponee,
M. E. Meader, Hesper, lowa. J. B. Thompson, Spillville, lowa. (. A. Hange, Albert Lea, Min. Henry Steen, Oakland, Neb. Nelson J. Davis, Berrien Springs, Mich. Warren Wait, Nashua, lowa. . Carey, Castaha, lowa.
COMPANY H.
Franklin M. Hambtin, lowa Falls, lowa. Edward Winch, Arena, Wis. J. W. Ward, Burlington, lowa. Joseph Frank. Mamont, " J. C. Kuhus, Manning, Alex. McConnell, Hopkinton, lowa R. W. Fishel, Greeley, lowa. S. M. Jackson, Lincoln. Neb. S. B. Sloan, Greeley, lowa.
COMPANY I.
Geo. Teskey, Elwood, lowa. J. F. Zediker, Franklin, Neb.
COMPANY K.
Henry Waldroff, La Porte City, lowa, Porter Willard. Hopkinton, lowa. P. J. Morehouse, Masonville, lowa. Sammel Horn, Maynard, ira D. Blanchard, Buna, Mint.
W B. Morgan, Bloomington, Neb. HI C. Merriam, Hopkinton, Jowa. J. B Morgan, Davenport, N. Il Baldwin, Ade, Kansas. CE. Mormam, Hopkinton, Jowa
28
SECOND REUNION OF THE
MEMBERS OF OTHER REGIMENTS.
J. A. Snyder, Co. D, both Wis. Manchester. Ia
J. M. Garrison, Co. B, 23d "
G. O. Harrison, Co. K, 31st
Jas. Stewart, Co. (1, 27Th W19.,
11. B. Sisson, Co. K, 27th . Delaware, la
W. S. Jones, Co. K. 2d Wis. Cav. Manchester J. D. Biggs, Co. G, 16th Wis. Inf
11. C. Eddy, Co. 6. 22nd " " Winthrop la
C. H. Jolmson, Co. D, 4th Wis. Cav. Del., la R. B. Lynn, Co. D, 1th Wis. Tuf. Manchester P A Peterson, Co. 1. 27th Wis. Inl .. Win. Wasson, 3rd tud Battery, Delaware, la Eugene Hall, Co. F, 9th lowa, Bariville, ..
Jas. T Fowler, Co. G. 9th lowa, Greeley, Geo. Redhead, Co. C, 13:h " Postville, la Anthony Swindle, Co. 1, 4th " Buryville, ..
John Malven, Co. 11, 5th lowa, Greeley, la.
W. H. Golder, Co. B, 8th la , Manchester' Ia 1 .. D. Rogers, Co. G, Winthrop, la. Jas. Shadle, Co. G, 2nd la., Manchester, la R. M Marvin, Co 11, 31st la.,
J C. Butts, ยง Co. E, 37th la., { Dyersville, la. War of 1812. ;
H. C. Fox, Co. F, 46th Ja., Manchester,
( A. Odell, . 'Gireelev, lowa.
S C. Hursh. Co. G, 8th la. , Cav. Waverly, I R. G. Crawford, Co. L, sth Ja , Cav. lop'ton J JI. Evans, Co. B, Ith la. Cav., Dyersville, W. F Delaney, Co. B, 4th Ja , Cav, Hazel G Chas. Delaney, ..
Cyrus Stoner, Karlville, la
D. K. Fox, Co. K, 4th la., Cav., Manchester
J. II Peleis, Lt. Col. 4th fi
B F. Skinner, Co. G, Ist "
S. W. Trenchard, Co. 6, ist la. Cav.
G. IL. Dubois, 66
A. Miller, Co. L, Ist Ia. Cav. Manchester, la
E. D Smith, Co. G, 6th Ja. Cav Forestville, A. B. Duffey, .. Icdgewood
C. J Bailey, Co. L, .4
.. Manchester
Chas. Sydow, " D, 27th lowa, Conover, la
I. S. Hanna.
Nugent, la. A. D. Habbell, Co. F, 27th la., Edgewood, la W J Millett, Co F, 27th la., Manchester, la 1. B. Wilson, ..
C. O. Torrey, Rollin Lewis, A. J Brown, . .
16
B. W. Kenyon, " .. Tower Hill, IL
F. D Smith, Co. (, 11th VI Masonville, la.
A. 11. Blake, Co. F, 9th " Manchester, In
Henry Stiles, Co. A, 2nd " Masonville,
S A Paige, Co. G, 10th ..
Win. Williams, Co. B, 29th Mass Manchester
S. E. Meserve, Co. K, 16th Mass., .. B W. Jewell, Co. F, Ist. Mass.,
J. C. Hadley, Sappers & Miners, 3rd Md., "
11. P. Chapman, Co. B, 16th N. 11. Maneh'st'r D. G. Meader, Co. b, 6th Maine, Eldora, la Allen Meader, Co. E, 26th ..
C. W. Rollins, Co. A, 224 Delaware, la Michael Duffey, Co. A, 1st Nev. Cav. Nugent A Knowles, Co. K, 7th Mo. Cav. Winthrop, la
T. J. Doane, Co. D, 70 Ind., Des Moines, Ia D. A. Bender, " A, 120 Ind , Manchester, " A. A. Hamlin, Co. A. 97th Ind., ..
J. 1'. Wilson, Co. A, 103 P'a., Manchester, " L. Smith, Co. 1, 11th Pa., Cav., Forestville
Amos laghifoot, Co.E, fith Pa., Cav. Man'str Henry Hunt, Co. E, joth Mich., Manchester C. H. Babcock, Co F, Ad O., Masonville, Ix A. G. Thompson, Co. D, Gist O., Manchester G. O. Vincent, Co. E. Ist O., Bat.
W. IL. Ayers, Co. F, 103d .. John Dubois, Serg. Maj. 21st la., Manchester 1. S. Crosby, Co. 11, 21st lowa, ..
Delaware
N. S. Preston, .. Delaware.
I. S. Stone, Co. K. Delhi.
C. Husted. co. F. 21st Iowa, Manchester.
J. F. Merry, " K.
(. P. Dunton, Co. K. " ..
Newton Green, Co. K, 21st la., Hazel Green C. Scott, Co. IL, Manchester.
Daniel 11. Gregg, Co. 11, 51st III. A. J. Collinge, Co. A, 39th Ill., ..
(. 11. Osborn, Co. K, 46th II., Brush Creek
Joseph Mitch, " F, 121h " Manchester, la
WV. S. Martin,
G. M. Hickok, " 1, 1st III. L.t. Art., " Atthor Spare, " 1, 96th Ill.,
J. R. Boardman, Co. K, 28th IN. , Foresl ville Luther Kich, Co. E, 52nd Ill., Manchester J. 1. Chapel, " B, 71th
G. A. Day, Col. Bist III., Manchester, Low:
C. IL. Westbrook, Co. B, 8th III. Cav.
A. C. Carter, Co. E, 16th Il Inf. Manches'tr James Me Farland, Co. 11, 57th II. Inf. Henry Woodring, " C, 55th Ill. Inf. Wav'ly Fred Glitsher, Co. 1, 105th III. Inf .. Manch'er Jas. O. Mayes, " 1, 11th III. Cav.,
O. S. Fowler, Co. K, 13th II. Lamont
C. B. Eaton, Band. 11th II. Manchester, la A. O. Moore, Co. F, 95th 11., Manchester, la J. W. Parker, Co. B, 16th Ill., ..
A. J. Patch, Adj. 7th Minn., Dubuque, lowa W. R. Marshall, Col. 7th Min., St Pant
W. H. More, Co. Il, IGth lowa, Dubuque, la C. HI Mattox, Co HI, 16th Ja .. Manchester A J. Abbott, " C, 2nd la. Cav. ..
Jas. Ireland, John Wood, 16
..
.. B. Thompson, Co. 1. " ..
Il Percival, Co. C, 7th N. Y. Manchester, la A. F. Loomis, Co. K, 125th N. V. Golden, la C. L. Rundle, Co. B, 9ith Karlville, la Dr. C. C. Bradley, H.S., 180th N. Y. Manch'er E. D Allen, Co. 1, 5th N . Y. Art , Earlville J. B. Salterlee, Co. B. 41th N. Y. Manchester E. F' Sias, Co. B, 186th N. Y. Manchester Geo. Commerford, co. A, 48th N. Y.
A . J. Simpson, co F, 13th N. Y.
Peter Broadway, Co. A, GHh N. Y. J. S. L. Scott, Co. F, 121st
J.T. Abbott, Co 1, 185th
E. S. Cowles, Co G, 7th la. Cav., Campton
MEXICAN WAR.
M S. Allen, A, Mich., Sabula, lowa
11. D. Wood, 4th Co 111. Cav. Manchester
8 R. Edgington, A, Brd Ohio, Eldora John carr, U. S. Frigate, Savannah, Man'str
..
06 ..
Thursday Morning.
The first business of the hour was the reports of committees.
Capt. Gift of the committee on finance reported the condition of the treasury.
Comrade Dunham moved that a committee of three be appoint- ed by the chair who should confer with the reporter as to what matter should be prepared for publication in the proceedings of this convention. Carried and the chair appointed :. Col. Jack Stibbs, G. E. Comstock and Lieut. J. E. Simpson.
Col. Stibbs here presented Mr. Jas. C. Butts of Dyersville as an old soldier of the war of 1812; that he also served in our late war of '61. Ile is 89 years old, wears no glasses, reads anything, was in the 37th Iowa, the grey-beards. lowa is the only State that furnished those soldiers; boys, this is just what we are coming to; the last member of the 12th will stand up sometime.
The boys gave the old soldier three rousing cheers.
Comrade Smith of the committee on resolutions then reported the following which were adopted.
Resolved, That it is with a profound sense of appreciation that we desire to tender to the citizens of Manchester our sincere thanks for their warm and hearty reception of the members of the 12th Iowa Volunteers.
Resolved, That we will ever remember with delight this our second re- union at the beautiful city of Manchester, and as we go to our several homes, we will carry with us a happy recollection of the grand welcome and pleasant reception accorded us.
Resolved, That we as veterans and members of the 12th Iowa Volunteers, hereby extend to the officers and members of W. A. Morse Post, No. 190, G. A. R., of Manchester, our warmest thanks for their hearty, soldierly greeting and good cheer.
Resolved, That it is with a genuine sense of their hospitality to us that we wish them all long and prosperous lives, and that sometime in the near future it may be ours to return the compliment so cheerfully awarded us.
Resolved, That we extend to the members of the First Regimental Band' of Eldora, our warmest thanks for the excellent music rendered by them which has contributed so materially to the pleasure and success of this re- union.
Resolved, That we respectfully request the Congress of the United States to pass a law pensioning all disabled union soldiers who are incapacitated from providing for themselves and families, without limitation as to date of disability.
30
SECOND REUNION OF THE
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The committee on nomination of officers reported as follows:
President -- Col. S. R. Edgington, Eldora,
Vice President -- Major D. W. Reed, Waakon.
Secretary-Lt. A. Dunham, Manchester.
Treasurer-Major G. S. Morisey, Manchester.
Directors-Lt. S. G. Knee, Co. H, Colesburg; Gen. J. H. Stibbs, Co. D. Chi- cago; Sergt. R. P. Clarkson, Co. A, DesMoines; Q. M. S. John Stein, Co. G Wahoo, Neb .; Ben Eberhardt, Co. E, LaPorte.
After considerable urging and coaxing to induce Lt. Dunham to accept the position of secretary, the report of the committee was adopted, and Col. Edgington conducted to the chair. The Colo- nel being introduced said:
Comrades of the 12th: To the veterans I return my sincere thanks for this high compliment. I have considered myself too modest to appear before yon; but it has been your pleasure to elect me your president for the ensuing year. I assure you that it I fail in aught, it will be in judgment, The heart will be right. I thank you again. I will attempt to do my duty. History says that the 12th was under fire 112 days, and I commanded the regiment more than fifty of those. What ever I may have been wanting in that, I shall be wanting in this. Again I thank you.
One of the most interesting scenes of the reunion was enacted at this time. The boys called forward "Sukey" Jackson, the old drummer, S. M. French, former fife major, and H. J. Grannis the color-bearer. The long roll, reveille, tattoo were successively called for and beaten, and at their close three rousing cheers were given for each, with three for the old flag which was held by its bearer.
The Chair then presented Capt. John F. Merry, the Gen. West- ern Passenger Agent of the Illinois Central, who had done much toward making the reunion a success. Capt. Merry said he felt as though he needed no introduction to this audience. There was scarcely a face that was not familiar to him. He had done what he could to ensure the success of the reunion, and was quite sure that his efforts had caused him more pleasure than they could have done anybody else. He spoke of recent visits to Vicksburg, and said a visit there would afford some idea of the grand character of a government that, while providing so liberally for the living sol- diers, cared so tenderly for the dead. The Captain's short speech was warmly applauded.
31
TWELFTH IOWA V. V. INFANTRY.
The distribution of tickets to the banquet being in order, while they were waiting, Col. Stibbs said:
WHO IS HELENE VIOLET B?
This is a question that has been bothering the minds of many of us for the past four years, and I am glad to be able to say that I am fully prepared to answer it I am free to confess that when I first learned of this mysterious personage I was a good deal surprised, and rather sorry too, to think that a sure enough woman had served for three long years with the 12th lowa, and I never found her out. So when we began our preparations for this reunion I determined if possible to find Miss Helene and bring her with me, and I am happy to say, that she is now present an interested listener to my story, but she is not here in the form that many expected to see, and her appearance, age, height, complexion and style of her bangs can only be guessed at.
It is a well established fact that there are persons in the world, who hon- estly believe that they have a dual existence, and that there dwells within them the spirit of another who accompanies them through life. Whether such a thing can be or not we have no time now to discuss, but the fact that the be- lief exists cannot be questioned.
Such a person served in the 12th lowa. He was a dutiful soldier and to- day carries the scars of wounds received while manfully facing the enemy. He told me this story in confidence and therefore I am not at liberty to give names, but I can assure you that he is honest in his belief and that he has not sought to impose on us an improbable story. He claims that from his infancy he has carried with him the spirit of his sister, Helene Violet, that he is in con- stant communication with her, and she acts as his guide and counsellor. Warns him of impending dangers, and predicts events that are to occur. When she chooses to speak for herself, be is compelled to act as her aman- uensis, and thus it happened that she made herself known to the regiment. She beard read the proceedings of our last reunion and her womanly nature was aroused and her sympathies excited by hearing of the part taken by little Florence Dunham the daughter of our worthy secretary, and she at once determined to write to ber. When the soldier who represents her found what a storm of comment and curiosity her letter had provoked, he sought to con- ceal his connection with the matter, as he recognized that which is a reality to him, would be ridiculed by many, and as I have given you the story in full, 1 ask that you will make no further effort to learn the name of the soldier who represents Helene Violet B.
The reading of this little episode was warmly applauded, after which all repaired to the banquet room where an elegant repast had been prepared by the ladies of Manchester. Chaplain Hum- phrey having asked a blessing upon the generous fare, the boys fell to with a will and amply showed their ability to clear all be- fore them, then in good order each reteated to make room for the reserve force which followed until all had enjoyed the feast.
32
SECOND REUNION OF THE
Resolved, That the 12th lowa Infantry, in reunion assembled, emphatically protest against the removal of Gen. J. 1 .. Geddes as Military Instructor of the lowa Agricultural College, and request his reappointment by the board of trustees, at the earliest practicable moment.
Resolved, That our Senators and Representatives in Congress are hereby requested to use their best endeavors to amend the bill now pending Congress to pension prisoners of war, so as to include all who were confined in rebel prisons fifty days or over. Many members of the 8th, 12th and 14th lowa, the 58th Illinois, and other lowa, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri regiments, who were confined in rebel prisons fifty-five days at Cahaba, Tuscaloosa, and Mont- gomery, Ala., and Macon, Georgia, are now physical wrecks, from starvation and ill-treatment, in aforesaid prisons, but,are noable to prove such facts to the satisfaction of the Pension Department. Therefore, we ask the change above mentioned, in order that justice may be done them, and sadly needed relief secured.
Resolved, That we extend to Col. W. R. Marshall, Gen. J. L. Geddes, two of our old brigade commanders, who have added so much to the real pleasure of our reunion, and to the other invited guests present, our sincere heartfelt thanks for the kindly interest they continue to take In our regimental organi- zation. We hail them with pleasure, and sball always be pleased to meet them, and hereby extend to them a cordial invitation to attend our next and all following reunions.
Resolved, That the warmest thanks of every member of the 12th lowa Regiment are hereby extended, together with our soldierly greeting, to the officers and members of Company C, I. N. G., of Manchester. who have so signally contributed as escort, to the pleasure and success of this reunion, and that we shall ever remember with feelings of pride, their soldierly appearance and acts.
Resolved, By the 12th lowa Reunion Association that the Eldora Silver Cornet Band, of Eldora, lowa, be and hereby are made honorary members of our association.
The chair appointed on motion the following as committee to nominate officers:
H. C. Curtis, Co. C.
L. M. Ayers, Co. D.
S. R. Edgington, Co. A.
J. E. Simpson, Co. G.
S. G. Knee, Co. II.
It was moved by Comrade Simpson that the secretary address a letter to Col. Woods, expressing our regret at his absence, thanks for his kindly remembrance and wishes for his welfare, with the warmest greetings of his old comrades in arms.
The chair announced a committee of ladies from the citizens who desired to give the boys as hearty a welcome as they got from Shiloh. You will be compelled to retreat and let your foes take possession of the field.
33
TWELFTH IOWA V. V. INFANTY
The Eldora Band then played some beautiful selections, when the chairman reported that he had just been handed a receipted bill for the entertainment of the band, while here. He said this was something wholly unexpected, and was but another evidence of the warm-hearted liberality of the people of Manchester toward the 12th regiment. He assured them their kindness would never be forgotten.
The president announced as the special feature of the afternoon the toasts which were laid down in the exercises. Owing to the absence of expected guests, several changes were made; but all present highly enjoyed the following:
Hon H. C. Curtis responded to the following :
"THE FAMOUS CHARGE OF THE ENTIRE ARMY, May 22. 1863, at Vicksburg, Miss.
Mr. President, Comrades and Fellow Citizens: -
I confess to you that I am taken a little by surprise at this time, by being called upon to respond to the sentiment, "The charge of the whole army at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863." Had ) been called upon to relate some amusing anecdote of the war in which we struggled together for four long, long years, to conquer the brazen enemies of our country, I would not have wondered, but to recount the deeds and the heroic valor of our noble army, on that memorable day, and place on the canvass of your imagination, those awful scenes, that we all will remember as long as we live, I say tongue cannot de- scribe, nor pen picture, that awful struggle. The imagination staggers back, lost and powerless as we attempt to cast our eye back for twenty years on the scenes, awful yet grand and inspiring, on that bloody field.
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