USA > Iowa > Delaware County > Manchester > Reunion of the 12th Iowa V.[eteran] V.[olunteer] infantry 1st-8th, 1880-1903 > Part 18
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MEMPHIS, TENN., April Ist, 1888.
Comrades of the 12th lowa :- Circumstances have prevented my attend- ance at your reunion. It has been my great desire to attend thisreunion, not only because I would meet my old comrades, but because the reunion isto take place among the hospitable people of Waterloo, lowa, a people whose hospitality to our comrades of the Old Twelfth was as honest and heartfelt as were the hospitalities extended to us by the people of Altoona, Pennsylva- nia, on our return hom military prisons, when the living skeletons that crowded the train, found themselves suddenly surprised and overwhelmed with substantial food and dainty delicacies, steaming hot as it came fresh from the kitchens of their mountain homes, to be dispensed by the hands of fair maidens amid smiles and tears. While I cannot be present at the reun- ion in the desh, you will find me there in spirit.
For myself I will say that time has laid his hand upon me so gently that I still consider myself "one of the boys," yet my step may not be so elastic as when I was the file leader of the regiment, and my spirits may not be se buoyant as when we sealed the breastworks of Donelson.
Finding myself unable to attend the reunion, it was my purpose to write ont my response to the toast assigned me, but I have not been able to do so. Referring, however, to the subject matter of the toast, there never has been any doubt in my mind but that the valor of the " Hornets' Nest Bri- gade " saved the Chion army from defeat at the battle of Shiloh.
The Southerner, to this day, believes that Gen. Beauregard should have pressed on and followed up the success of the confederate army and closed the work of the day with a complete defeat and capture of the Union army.
No one can vindicate the good generalship of Gen. Beauregard so well as members of the "Hornets' Nest Brigade," who laid down their arms with us at 6 o'clock p. m., on Sunday, April 6, 1862. Albert Sidney Johnson, their commanding general, had fallen that day. The stubborn resistance and final capitulation of the "Hornets' Nest Brigade" had thrown the enemy's center into almost inextricable confusion. Beauregard found the disciplined army of an hour before, an army of fragments, a howling mob, which had forgot- ten the errand for which it came, in the exultation of a partial victory.
The reorganization of the confederate army so as to make an onward movement that night was a physical impossibility to any new commander who should step into the shoes of that great general, Albert Sidney Johnson.
History will vindicate the sound judgment and good generalship of Gen. Beauregard, while it places the blood-bought laurel wreaths on the "Hor- nets' Nest Brigade," which held the overwhelming enemy in check until night and Buell came.
The attack on Shiloh was made under the direction of the authorities at Richmond Their plan was to demolish Grant's army before Buell's army could form a junction. Thereupon they would capture or destroy our trans- ports and gunboats; when this was done they would fall upon Buell's army, west of Columbia, Tennessee, cut off its communications and destroy or cap- ture it ; when this was once done there was nothing south of the Ohio river that could resist the victorious confederate army, and it would have become an army of invasion.
The battle of Shiloh was fought when the nation was smarting under the humiliation of the Bull Run defeat, when the cry of " On to Richmond" had entered upon its second season of disappointment, when the voice of the cop- perhead was heard in the land. If the South had been successful in its plans for the destruction of Grant's and Buell's armies, who can say that the Union
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TWELFTH IOWA V. V. INFANTRY.
would not have perished ? The probabilities are strongly that way. A regc. tion in public sentiment after such a series of signal defeats would probably have demanded terms of peace at the cost of the nation's lite. If this be -o. then has not the valor of the "Hornets' Vest Brigade," not only saved the " world's greatest commander," but has it not saved the world's greatest nation " These are questions that we will submit for your consideration. if you can- not solve them, posterity will form its own unbiased conclusions. History doubtless will point its index finger at the " Hornets' .Jest Brigade," as one of the agencies which was indispon sable to the nation's life.
With cordial greetings for the survivors of the old 19th, and Co. "A" in particular, I am, as ever, your old comrade, T. B. EDGINGTON.
" Was the War Worth the Sacrifice" One country, one flag and more stars.
Col. ]>. B Henderson was to have responded to this toast, but as his con- gressional duties detained him at Washington, Capt. E. B. Soper was called upon to fill his place. As no reporter was present to take his remarks, which were extemporaneous, we are unable to give but a synopsis, as follows:
" Ile firat considered the money cost of the war to the Federal govern- ment, and used illustrations to give some idea of the immense treasure ex- pended, and estimated that the cost to the Southern States, with the property destroyed by the ravages of war. fully equaled expenditures of the North -- to which should be added the loss of life, the unmeasured suffering on bat- defields and in hospitals, of the sick and wounded, the tears and heartrend. ing anguish of wives, mothers and sisters, and all the miseries of the bloody and long continued strife, the immeasurable sum total of which constituted the sacrifices the war cost. Against this he put, the country preserved as a mit -Jour million slaves made free, their masters and the white people of the slave states likewise made free, the better feeling existing between the sections resulting from the changed condition in the new South, and the mighty strides made in educating the whole people np to a better compre- hen sion of the worth of our institutions by the severe schooling of the war; all these and others were brought forward, considered and illustrated at some length, and the audience then left, by the speaker, to decide whether the war was worth what it cost."
"Ilome When the Boys Were Away." The dark days of ISGI to 1865
This toast was eloquently responded to by Mrs. E. J. W. Tirrill, wife of comrade R. W. Tirrill, of Co. "F" in the following manner :
"The time had come, when brother- must fight and sisters must pray at home."
These familiar lines from an old army song, bring the long past to our very doors. Again the drum and fife are heard in our streets; the recruiting officer is abroad in our land; they are raising liberty poles in every town prominent or obscure, and speeches full of the spirit of '70 are kindling an enthusiasm none too soon. Young America is present, and under-tands the situation, and from that time henceforth the love of liberty and regard for the stars and stripes are a part of his education. It is well to mention these days either in song or story ; thus may they learn that a government builded over so well, must needs be kept in repair Therefore, I can but think it profitable to sometimes look back.
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The presence of these flags with their inscriptions, their folds bearing the honored stamp of service, the memories they recall naturally tabe us back more than a quarter of a century, when the grandest family of states on the globe could name its traitors. But an all-wise providence had not for- -aken us, and if the god of battles allowed the rettersot war with their devasta- Vous to entold us for a time, was it not that great good should re-uit to us, as a people. in obliterating from this unity, more than two centuries of bond
there are hundreds of volumes of histories of the war and its times, of bota public and private life, but what of the unwritten history of the loyal women of our nation, during those terrible years, from '6f to ta, and Where is there one that regrets any sacrifice for such a cause? When our fathers. husbands and brothers went forth to face the enemy did we say with the fo- man matron, " bring back the sword of come not back to us?" No; but "tio, and when duty is done, if there is body enough lett to contain the soul, we'll welcome you home."
I'hu- they went, with our prayers, and heaven's blessing as a guiding star. Did our hands as ist them when preparing for departure? They will tell you Did we do the best we could when they were gone? I will tell you. We must remember that times were different in łowa then from now. Most of us nved on farms, and the State was comparatively new, and it our brothers, too young to join the army, needed us to help nuck the corn, we went, and continued to go till all was gathered. We did most of our holly- work in the evenings, and mended our gloves for next day's husking, for our hands were not accustomed to out-door toil. But the emergency of the case developed new capabilities; how much we could do that we hitle dreamed of before. If our help was wanted "in the field where the sugar cane grew, ' there we could be Found. If the house called for paint, we painted it. IT the grove required pruning, it was done. Or when the oxen were yoked and the younger brothers were starting for the timber four or five miles away. did we ever go with them to keep them company, to add cheer to labor ? They could tell you ; for fuel must be had, for the terrible northern winter was before us with its deep shows and desolation. Thus we managed, and hunger was kept from the door and comforts were not altogether wanting. Have we forgotten how the drifting shows would delay the trains, and days would pass and no news from the seat of war? And atter a battle where our 12th lowa added a glorious page to theirs and lowa's history, can we tell the first news the papers brought for us "missing;" but the sequel told us met forever. And for some the missive read, "right arm gone" and For others, "dead !" Alas, how many mothers, wives, sisters and sweethearts, watched for the letter that never came. Three years since I stood by my soldier brother's grave in the National cemetery near New Orleans. There, with thousands of others, away from their kindred, where --
Graceful palms and clinging vines, Waving moss and Southern pines, Seem like sentinel ;, ever watching Where they sleep.
If there is any hallowed ground on this continent, is it not the last rest. ing place of our boys that wore the blue: Not only in the North were we helping with our relief societies, but when news came of a battle, and nurses we're wanted, where were many of our women found ? If Europe . had her Florence Nightingale, we had many,
" Whom the wounded best for their tender care. And named them as saints in their evening prayer, Kissing their shadows, did they fall Across their pillows from off the wall."
Nameless the price of their labors! Never, this side of the silent city. will they their just reward receive.
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All this is past, and no wonder we were victorious and the stars and stripes yet live -- for God and the women were for us. There have been times in the history of our country when the Administration looked not Upon the soldier with contempt ; he was honored with positions of trust. I: 11 so to- day : Do not former traitors sit in high places and laugh from their vantage ground : Yes we are not disheartened por faithless, believing that the aut- umm of 1888 will name a chief magistrate who + love of country and loyalty to the government may be assured by his regard for all faithful ( nion sol. diers. In conclusion let me say, if I for one moment forget what the dear old tlag cost, I have only to look at three pictures They are not framed they are forever on memory's wall : The first, our national cemeteries. The second, our boys as they were sent home from hospital ; and battle fields, with limbs gone or useless, with sightless eyes and health forever wrecked. If angels ever weep, here is fitting occasion for their leurs. The third and list, a picture where the eye of pity would be dimned with horror and the hand of the artist be powerless- - Libby and Andersonville.
"The Broomstick Mightier than the Sword." It always rule, the in- fantry.
Major D. W. Reed responded to this toast in the following happy manner . Mr. President. Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen : -
To me has been assigned "The Broomstick Mightier than the Sword. It Always Rules the Infantry." I confess that this is not the first time, by any means, that the Broomstick has been assigned to me. But how the commit- the discovered that I was especially well informed about the subject is more than I can tell.
We know from experience that the sword is the most inoffensive of the weapons of war. We know that it never " hewed the way to the gulf," that Wellington and Napoleon did not "measure sword , at the battle of Waterloo." that it was not the "damiug sword of Sheridan that drove Early from the valley," that bayonets even were more terrible in story than in actual use, and never won the battles of Gettysburg of the Wilderness, but that powder and balls from musket and cannon's mouth were the effective agents in win ning battles.
Nevertheless, the sword, by common consent, ba- come to be the repre- sentative of the excentice power of man.
In like manner the pen, of itself, has never been a mighty agent in con- trolling the nations of the earth, but the brain, the thoughts of man, have been symbolized by the pen, and ever since the foundations of the first govern- ment wore laid, there has been a contest between these great forces that 10- gether control the actions and thoughts of men, and "which is greater, the pen or the sword," has been discussed in school, on the ro-trinn and in legis- lative halls, in every age of the past, and the illustrous examples of Alexan- der, Frederick the Great, Napoleon and Washington, who formed Empires and established Republics at the head of armies, have been contrasted with that of Cicero, Bacon, Franklin and Jefferson, who by their philosophy taught the principles on which those Empires and Republics were founded, and wrote the laws which governed and sustained them.
In our own time we still have the discussion, as to which was greater, the immortal pen of Lincoln that wrote the emancipation proclamation de claring freedom to four million slaves, or the all-conquering sword of Grant that executed that decree and struck the shackles from the last bondsman in this land and made our nation what it had so long professed to be, free, with- out a stain upon its banner.
Thus through all ages these two instruments representing the power- which men wield have been contending for supremacy, and the arguments. like equal weights in evenly balanced scales, have held the matter in equal poise. A simple contest, man contending against man.
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It has been reserved for a committee of the 19th lowa to introduce a new element into the controversy, and woman's influence in the governmental at- fairs of the world has been proposed under the symbol of the Broomstick.
Now, I know, and some of you know, that the broomstick is by no means woman's only weapon of offence and defence. The bald-heads before me- especially those of some of the committee remind me that they possibly had in mind some more efficient weapon when they proposed this toast, but dared not attack it themselves. But, comrades, from my experience I can give you some valuable advice. Hide the poker, call a truce on hot water and hair. pulling, buy a soft-handled broom for your wife -for, like the sword, it is a barndess weapon ; a little arnica heals the wounds, and is cheaper than hair vestoratives.
Yet, comrades, while the broomstick is least to be feared of woman's weapons, it has come to be a symbol of woman's influence in controlling the affairs of government. And from the time when Cleopatra and Josephine, by their influence, ruled the men who commanded the armies, to our own time, when our patriotic women, Spartan like, sent their husbands, brother- and sons, to the field to do battle for their country, and with their broom sticks gallantly held in check the copperheads in the rear, woman has grad- wally arisen under the civilizing influences of the Christian religion, from a position of slavery to one where she has taken her place by the side of man in every avenue of public life ; and it is really a question worthy our discus- sion whether woman does not to day wield a mightier influence in excenting the laws than does man. In the great reforms she has surely shown her ability and willingness to grapple with the serious questions of State and National government, and has won for herself a place on man's level, at least in executing the laws, and fully his equal with the pen, with which she has created the public sentiment that has made the laws. And as she in her proper sphere has the moulding and directing of the infant mind, whether it be to wield the pen or the sword, she has undoubtedly proven her ability to rule not only the infantry, the cavalry and artillery, but kings, emperors, presidents and the world. We therefore acknowledge the broomstick might. ier than the sword, and gladly yield to woman that all-powerful emblem of her influence and authority, and promise never again to dispute its suprema- ey, even with the sword.
"The lowa Soldier's Home" A grateful state proudly acknowledges her indebtedness.
This toast was responded to by comrade Ben. E. Eberhart, of Co. " E.' now quartermaster at the Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown :
Who of you, my comrades, does not still remember the sofdiers' homes of 1861 to 1865, the homes that we left when we took up arms in defense of our country, and when weary with marching we wrapped ourselves in our blankets and slept, and saw in our dreams the faces of loved ones at home ? Or on the lonely picket post how the thoughts would wander back to the North, and how we endeavored to picture a dear mother, loving wife and children, or sweetheart, and we wondered what they were doing; how we laid plans for the future, as to what we would do if we were spared to return to the loved ones at home ; and, finally, when the war was ended and we were permitted to lay aside the habiliments of war and again resume those of peace, with what zeal each took up that which had been laid aside four long years before, fully determined to make up for the time that we had lost in the peaceful pursuits of life. All this we well remember. Some of you have succeeded, but many have failed, through no fault of their own. They started on the march as zealously as any, their hopes and aspirations were as great as yours, but disabled by wounds and disease they were unable to koop up with their comrades and finally fell out of ranks and became stragglers, and many became homeless and destitute, some took refuge in the National Homes and others found their way to the poor house.
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Through the medium of the G. A. R., the lowa Legislature was informed of the needs of these comrades, and a bill was passed by the 215 General Assembly appropriating $100,000 to build a State Soldiers' Home. The Gov. ernor appointed six comrades, with that staunch and ever faithful friend of the soldier, Gen A. M. Tuttle, at the head, as a board of Commissioners to superintend the erection, and as trustees of the Home.
The site selected is a high piece of ground just northwest of the city of Marshalltown, on the banks of the Jowa River. The ground- consist of 128 acres, about twenty of which are beautiful grove. The building is of brick and stone, is 218 feet front with wings 120 feet deep, and lour stories high It cost $3,200 and was dedicated on the 80th of last November and opened for the reception of inmates on the 1st day of December. On the lower floor are the @ M. and commissiry department, kitchen dining rooms, smoking and bath room, and laundry. The next floor above is the chapel, hospital, headquarters, library and reading rooms ladies and gentlemen's reception rooms, commander's living rooms and three sleeping rooms. The twostories above are sleeping rooms. The sleeping apartments are large dormitorio, containing from 16 to 21 bed . They are furnished with single iron bed- steads, woven wire springs, cotton mattresses, pillows, sheets and blanket . Each inmate has a wardrobe large enough to contain all of his effects.
The accommodations are asuple for 800 inmates. 'The entire building is heated by steam and lighed by gas. Although in no sense an applicant for the place, Col. Milo Smith, of Clinton, lowa, was the unanimous choice of the commissioners for the position of commandant Col. Smith was Colonel of the 20th lowa Infantry, is a capable business man, and seems to be pecul- iarly adapted for the position. He demands obedience to the rules adopted for the health and comfort of the inmates, but with that degree of kindness and consideration that commands the respect of all.
The inmates pass the time smoking, playing cards, checkers, dominoes, and kindred games, telling old army experiences, and, in fact, holding one continuous camp-fire, always ready and willing to favor and assist comrades more decrepit than themselves, evincing at all times that comradeship un- derstood by none but the volunteer soldier.
There, my comrades, are gathered in a comfortable home over 130 old veterans, who with arms of iron and fingers of steel helped to lift the breach on many a contested field ; who climbed the giddy heightsof Lookout Moun- tain, charged the slippery slope with Grant at Vicksburg, marched with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea, rode with Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, Tought among the blood spattered tombstones of Gettysburg, and helped us save the day in the " Hornets' Nest " at Shiloh; who gave their health freely for the preservation of national unity and for the old flag. Com- rades who have lost their haversacks in the march of life, but who are no longer homeless or destitute, but will be the welcome guests of a grateful State until the long roll shall beat and they shall answer to their names as members of that Grand Army above, commanded by the Great Captain of the mmiverse.
"C'o. Q." Always Ready for Duty and Double Rations.
Comrade P. R. Ketchum responded as follows:
Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen :
Most people have a very mistaken idea of the character of Co. Q. They seem to be of the opinion that to. Q were the roughs of the army. Friends, this was not the case. A soldier who was always ready for duty and double rations, was a good soldier; and Co. Q, always ready for duty, was composed of the very best soldiers in the Union army. Co. Q was also the largest.com pany in the army. It was composed of companies, regiments, brigades, di- vis jons, and whole army corps belonged to company {. There was one corps in particular, comrades, it may be some of you remember them ; they used to be known as "Old Smith's Guerillas" They were always ready for duty
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li they were ordered to charge and take a battery, they took it ; if they were ordered to charge the enemy's works, they took them; if they were ordered to hold a position on the field of battle, they held it. Company Of seldom got what the boys used to call "a soft shap," (doing garrison duty or something of that kind.) No, their services were too valuable for duty of that kind. They were always at the front, or on the march. You fettember, comrades, that on some of our marches, the commi ary used to cut our rations down to one-half, and sometimes less. It was just so in company 1 ; fast that made no difference to them. If our commissary was unable to furnish the required ration >, the southern confederacy had to. Co. Q wa , always ready for duty when they were compelled to draw rations from the southern confederacy. 'This, however, they never resorted to when it was not a military nece ity. Company Q never did anything by halves. After they had served about two years they could see by the way things were progressing, that the war could not be brought to a close in another year; they began to think of me- enlisting, and when the proposition was made to those old battle-scarred vel. erans to re-enlist, every man in company Q enlisted. They were going to see the rebellion put down, and the government restored, and they did it. The war could not have been brought to an honorable close without the aid of company Q. They had the best officers that ever wore soldier strapa; they never saw the boys do anything wrong. Upon one occasion, after a hard day's march in the State of Mississippi, the day had been hot and the roads dusty, company Q was very tired and hungry, as they had been on half ra- tions for several days; they had filed off of the road to go into camp. The Colonel had taken his position in front of the regiment, was casting his eye up and down the line to see if each company was in position and ready to stack arms; one of the boys saw a luscious looking porker only a few rods away; he stepped out of the ranks a few paces, covered Mr. porker with his musket, hesitated a moment, cast his eye at the Colonel to see if he was go- ing to reprimand him or give him the order to tire ; the Colonel seemed to be waiting for something so the comrade tired ; he fell bach, took his place in the ranks, and the Colonel gave the command, stack arms. In a short time Col. Stibles darkey was Trying some nice slices of ham, and if the Colonel had been asked where that ham came from, he would have known no more about it than the Czar of Russia.
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