USA > Iowa > Delaware County > Manchester > Reunion of the 12th Iowa V.[eteran] V.[olunteer] infantry 1st-8th, 1880-1903 > Part 25
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Robert C. Cowell writes: "Yours of the 15th at hand. Will say in reply that I shall try to come. I want to see the boys once more."
Ferdinand Dubois writes: "I received your letter today and was pleased to hear from you. I am going to try hard to be at the reunion and answer to roll call with the balance of Co. D. I hope to see all the boys there. I failed to be at the last reunion but hope not to miss this one."
Mrs. Harmon Grass writes: "Yours of the 15th at hand and in re- ply will say that I guess that Mr. Grass will be at the reunion. Ile wanted me to tell you that he did not think he could come this time, but I told him that I would tell you that he was coming and I think when the time comes he will go. I hope that you will all have a grand time for I think you all deserve it. I had hoped that we might both go this Lime, as doubtless many will be there I used to know, whom it will be my last and only chance to see but if both cannot leave I will be the one to stay. Hoping again that you may have a happy reun- ion, I am,
Respectfully yours,
MRS. HARMON GRASS.
Irdill W. Holler writes from California: "I received your letter some time ago but having been very busy neglected answering. It is impossible for me to come and join you at Sioux City for financial rea- sons. I would like to come but there is no possible show. Give my re- gards to the boys."
John Luther writes: "Please excuse my tardiness in not writing sooner. The reunion of the 12th lowa will be a rare treat for the old boys. If possible I will be with you. I am coming-coming-coming. Hip-hip-now everybody."
William L. Lee writes: "Your favor of recent date came duly to
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TWELFTH IOWA V. V. INFANTRY.
hand. I fully appreciate your kindness but I cannot give you a posi- tive answer concerning my presence at the reunion at present but will say, however, that I will surely be present if it is possible to leave at that time. The spring and summer months are the busy season with mining people. I have several new enterprises on hand and cannot tell just how my absence at that time might effect myself and those interested with me but will write again as soon as I can answer dell- nicely. I have been laid up with la grippe and rheumatism since the middle of February and have not yet fully recovered, perhaps on ac- count of living so much on the mountains at an altitude of 8,000 feet." Later he writes: "After the receipt of your last letter I began imnie- diately to prepare to attend the reunion of the old 12th lowa at Sioux City, but having gone up into the mountains too soon after leaving the hospital my rheumatism came back on me and I am again under the doctor's care at Helena. I fully appreciate your efforts to get the boys together and would like the best in the world to meet you all once more but it will be impossible to do so at this time."
James HI. Little, formerly Co. K Ist lowa, and afterwards Co. D and Co. K 12th lowa, writes: "I am more than happy to hear from you and would love to be where I could see you all. You are the first com- rade I have received a scratch of a pen from since the close of the war. I often think of you all and wonder if I can ever see any of my old command again. I have forgotten none of you and never will. I would come to the reunion if I was able, but am not. I want to end my days among them. I have no family; they are all dead. But when you meet a Co. D or K man tell them old Jim Luther is still on deck. My address is Mt. Carmel. Ils. Please put this in your paper or some paper where the 12th lowa will see it."
David W. Minor writes: "I received your notice of the 4th reunion of the 12th lowa and in reply would say that I have long wished for the pleasure of being at one of them and of once more seeing and greet- ing my brave and gallant comrades. But I am sorry to say that I can- not possibly avail myself of the opportunity afforded by the coming reunion. It would give me much pleasure to meet my old comrades and take them by the hand. I have no doubt they have changed in outward appearance so that I should fail to recognize many of them as they doubtless would me. I am bearing some of the marks of time but my spirit is still young. I am unchanged, however, in the spirit of respect and brotherly love for all comrades of the 12th, and espec- ially Co. D, from Capt. Jack down to Buttolph at the switch end of the company. I cherish many pleasant memories of the companionships of the service and should greatly enjoy talking over old times and re- newing old friendships, but as I cannot be with you please give my love and hearty greetings to everyone. May they all prosper and en- joy life and live to enjoy yet many more reunions and may God be with you all till we meet again."
Nathan G. Price, on April 28th, wrote: "] will be with you at
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Sioux City. Have no time to write now. Sixteen hours per day, at hard work. Take the will for the deed." But on May 15th: "It is with much disappointment and regret that I am compelled to ask you and the boys to accept this sheet as a substitute for myself at your reunion. I have worked hard to be able to be with you and one week ago I was sure of being one of you. But nature has interfered with storms and foods and wrecked my felds and plans and rendered it entirely impos- sible for me to leave. * * * Now Capt. and boys all! There are none of you who want me at the reunion any worse than I want to be there. None of you have worked harder to be there than I have. No one is to blame. I hope and trust that I may be the only one absent. And, bad as I feel about it, I hope each and all of you feel worse than I do. Indeed it would be a satisfaction for me to know that there was not a dry eye over my absence. But if there are even two wet eyes, dry them. wipe them quick and enjoy the pleasure of being in the coni- pany of those who are not absent. Let each give the other a kindly glance, a shake and a greeting for me and after the reunion when all have gone home I want you each and all to write to me. If I can't see you I would like to hear from you and not of you. I fear this will be our last chance of seeing each other. I hope not. I am so greatly dis- appointed this time that I have no expectation of ever being with you, but if I do remember that as long as I live I am
N. G. PRICE, of Co. D." .
J. V. Geo. Price writes: "If the Lord is willing and nothing hap- pens my wife and I will meet you at Sioux City in May."
Henry W. Ross writes: "I will be at Sioux City May 17, 1892, no preventing providence. Look for me."
Frank Reuchin, who was so fearfully and cruelly shot at Shiloh after the surrender by a drunken rebel, writes: "I have received your kind letter and read the proposition you offer. My thanks for your kindness. It makes my heart beat faster when I bear or read that you boys think so much of me and would like to see me. I would like to see them all as I have not seen any of them for twenty years. It is not so much a matter of money with me, as money is not so close, but business matters; and besides I am not very well at present and could hardly stand the trip. I think I will take a trip to lowa this fall and try to see some of the boys. Now when you see the boys tell them my heart and hand is with them always and that I hold them in love and friendship ever. If it was m my power to help any one of them in distress I would do it with all my heart. I am proud that I have de- fonded the American flag-the stars and stripes and I am willing to lay my life down for our country-my adopted country. I am proud to be a citizen of the United States, the best country in the world and I am not sorry that I got crippled defending the flag. I tried to do my duty as a soldier and as a citizen and I have no doubt all of the boys of the 12th have done the same. I hope you will all enjoy yourselves and while having a good time think of me a little."
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Mrs. Chas. Ranson, whose true name was Nicholas Clemans and who deserted from Co. D, and who for some time resided at Smith Cen- ter, Kan., that her husband died in the insane hospital at Topeka, Kan., Oct. 7, 1887, of appoplexy of the brain and asking for assistance in securing a pension.
Daniel Livets writes: "Dear Comrade: I got your invitation to the reunion and would like to come and see you all once more, but I can't, for my health will not permit. Give my love to all the boys and tell them that I should like to be with them and hope they may have a good time."
Joseph Wagner, whose P. O. address is Borne City, Ind., among other things, writes: "When I left the 12th lowa Inft. at St. Louis I went direct to Columbus, Ohio, and there enlisted in in Co. E', 11th Ohio Cav., and went directly back to St. Louis and after a few days at Benton Barracks, was sent up the Missouri river by steamer to Fort Leavenworth and from there sent across the plains to New Mexico. Served three years and thirty-one days in the territories mostly, and was mastered out at Ft. Larimie, July 22d, 1866. In 1868 was married to a farmer's daughter in Morrow county, Ohio, and have four chil- dren, one son and three daughters. Have drifted around considerably since the war. Tried it awhile in Mo .; got sick of the country and went north of Cedar Rapids four miles and tried farming for six years; made my fortune and then came here; bought property and expect to end my days here. This is a great summer resort on banks of Silver Lake. Would like awful well to be at the reunion at Sioux City and renew acquaintances with comrades of the 12th. Presume that Stibbs is not very anxious to see me, but I don't hold any grudge. That lit- tle difficulty is forgotten years ago."
John Watrobeck, Cotterville, Mo., writes: "Comrade Soper: I have received your welcome letter. You have made great pleasure to me to hear from old comrades once more. Thank God that some of our boys are still living. I would like to be with you in your encampment but I am sick and worn out. I will be 70 years old on May 10, 1892, and could not stand the trip. I would like to see you. Hope you will en- joy yourselves and think of me. I will remember you all. You ask of my brother, Enos Watrobeck. He died in Tenn. in 1863 and my brother George the same year in Virginia. My two brothers died for the Union."
B. P. Zuver and E. A. Buttolph wrote numerous letters and did everything in their power to get the boys out.
A SHORT HISTORY OF CO. D'S LITTLE CANNON, BY SOME OF THE FELLOWS WHO WERE THERE.
During the late unpleasantness while our regiment was stationed at Selma, Alabama, some of Co. "K" boys while prowling around an
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FOURTH REUNION OF THE
old foundry found a small brass Howitzer and walked off with it to their quarters. There they mounted it on sticks, directed it towards Co. D's quarters, with the remark that if Co. D did not do this and that they would fire on us and often went through the mot ions to show how they would do the act. It was great amusement for Co. K but no amusement for Co. D, and must be put to an end. John J. Whittam and William L. Lee planned to steal the gun. John W. Burch, of the "Methodist mess," was fond of lecturing the boys for their delinquencies and for a joke on him got him to go with them. "Only a jokeon Co. K." They chose the late hours of a dark night to do the deed, which, like other dark deeds committed by John and Bill, proved successful. The cannon was taken to Lient. King's tent and hid under his bunk. Co. K never mistrusted, or at least said nothing, as to where the cannon was or who " faked it." Next day it was decided that it would be a grand scheme to send the gun home to Cedar Rapids as a momento of Co. D for all time to come, so Burch and others made a box, put in the cannon and loaded it into John W. Rowan's wagon. John was regi- mental teamster. John bad charge of the gun a short time-long enough though to give him the idea that he stole the gun and that he was sole owner, and he still imagines that he is the man. Soon there- after the regiment was ordered to be discharged and started for home. The cannon was then put into Homer C. Morehead's mess chest. He was quartermaster and brought the gun to Davenport, lowa. From there it was sent by freight to Cedar Rapids and put in charge of Post 88 G. A. R. Later it was given to the city provided that the city would mount it in good style. It was mounted temporarily on a pair of front wheels of a light wagon and stood around in old sheds for a long time, the city not offering to mount it as agreed to. One night Capt. Hiet Hale and Ed A. Buttolph and other men got a wheelhar- row and took it to Ed's, where it was for over a year. During the campaign of 1868 it was brought out and mounted on the same old wheels. October 3d there was a grand parade and barbecue. A squad of G. A. R. men acted as artillery men; Buttolph as powder monkey. In a grove northeast of town was the grand stand. The little gun was away at a safe distance tiring saintes. Hlad fired some six or eight shots when the recoil of the gun broke the carriage all to pieces and the gun flew to the rear end over forty feet, landing between But- tol phi's feet who was sitting on the ammunition box. No one hurt; fun Spoiled. The next day the outfit was taken to a blacksmith shop for repairs. Could do nothing unless the gun was there so it was left, un- der protest. "Oh, it will be safe, etc., etc." The proprietor of the shop was a strong democrat. That night the gun was taken and a lot of angry men was around all day-yes, for days after. The proprietor was arrested and held to court, an attorney hired, who afterwards set- tled the case without consulting the men that had the gun in charge, Hale and Buttolph. Many were the surmises as to the location of the gun, places were searched and men on the lookout at all times but not a whisper could be heard but that it was acted upon, but all with-
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ont avail. Often when any doings was to go on it was rumored that the gun would be brought out and company D boys and friends would lay for it. Many ouths were sworn that no one should ever fire that. cannon without our consent. Time passed. 1884 Cleveland was elect- ed president. The democrats were to have a grand ratification at Cedar Rapids; amunition bought and fixed for the little cannon which was to be brought out and fired for a democratie victory. Again Hate and others of company D and friends was on the lookout and many old G. A. R. men, regardless of polities, swore that if the democrats undertook to fire that gun it would be over their dead bodies. The night of the blowout came; excitement was at blood heat. More than one man in that crowd carried arms. The old blacksmith shop had a number of spies watching it, and all was sure of a row and cager and ready for it. It put me in mind of war times just before a battle. Angry words were attered but none came to blows. The old army boys were used to such seenes and were cool. The cannon was not brought out and a good deal of chaff was tired at the democrats for cowardice, and it was some time before all was quiet, until the spring of '85. Then the question was up again. A railroad man was having his horse shod at the same shop. In stamping a borse broke a hole in the floor and he reported he saw the cannon under the floor. There had been so many false rumors that not much notice was taken of the last rumor, and all was quieting down when one morning in March, 1888, the canton was found in the alley near the shop from which it was stolen, the night of October 4th, 1868. The news flow and great was the excitement. It was wrapped in an old gunny sack, as the railroad man reported. Pinned to it was a note, as follows:
"Taken from John Mehan's shop about twenty years ago. Re- turned to the same place by the only surviving member of the abdue- tors. Cleveland is president and the little cannon has slept long enough. It is to be hoped that it will be better guarded in the future. The parties who removed the same have never been referred to in con- nection therewith."
"OLD CANNON."
It is still a secret as to who the parties were. No man could ban- dle it easily alone. It was taken to the police station and faid in the window where it was viewed by many, then turned over to Col. T. Z. Cook Post G. A. R. They have a temporary carriage and use it only for G. A. R. purposes. It may find a rest in the lodge room.
RANDALIA, IOWA. May 20, 1892.
J. N. Weurer, Sioux City, Iowa:
DEAR COMRADE: You are probably aware by telegram sent from Ft. Dodge that it was not my fault that I did not meet you on the 15th or 19th. It was with many regrets that we abandoned the expedition and retreated to our homes. I wrote Comrade Reed that I would be there or bust. Well, I'm not busted but the Illinois Central was and I am home again safe and sound, but not so with Comrade Latimer,
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who, on jumping off street train here yesterday fell and bruised him- self considerably but not seriously.
We enjoyed ourselves at Ft. Dodge as only old boys" can under such unfavorable circumstances. We have as yet heard no report from the Sioux City branch of our association, whether you organized, what you did, and when and where we shall make the next attempt to meet. We left Ft. Dodge about 3 p. m. the 18th, before we had any news from you, but upon arrival at Independence found that you had re- membered us by instructing agent to return us at one-third fare. Many thanks. I presume we should not have enjoyed ourselves very well had we been there, surrounded as you were by the excitement and sorrow of others. Yours in F. C. and L.
11. J. GRANNIS.
HANOVER, ILL., May 5, 1892. J. E. Simpson, Sec'y, Norfolk, Neb .:
MY DEAR COMRADE: I have been looking forward with a great deal of pleasure to meeting the boys at Sioux City on the 18th iust., but circumstances oblige me to sail from New Orleans on that date, to set- ile an estate at Honduras, C. A. Remember me kindly to the com- rades and particularly to Co. "A." I very much regret my inability to be with you.
Yours in F. C. and L., E. C. COOMBS, Late Company "A."
HESPER, ŁOWA, June 3d, 1892. Mr. J. E. Simpson:
DEAR COMRADE: I received your very welcome letter and have had time to consider it well. } am of the same opinion as the rest of you in reg ird to having our reunions oftener. I should say have them as often as once every two years. We are all growing old and as the years roll on time is making its inroads in our ranks and the time is coming when we shall meet the last enemy and he will conquer, and then there will be no more meetings for us here on earth. I am extremely sorry that we could not have all got together at Sioux City this spring but fate was against us, although we had a good time at Sheldon. There were Dr. Barr and wife, Capt. Soper and wife, Sergt. Winters and wife, Gilbert Ness, Mage Bowen, A. IL. Groves, myself and wife, making a nice company.
You mentioned Chicago to be the next place for our reunion. ] think it would not be a suitable place as there would be so much to see and it would have a tendency to mar the benefit we aim in our re- unions. I speak for myself alone. . You also mentioned Sioux City for our next. If the citizens wish it I think it but right they should have the first chance, they went to so much trouble and expense to make this one pleasant and agreeable for us.
P. S .: My wife and I send our best wishes to you and family. From your old friend and comrade.
M. E. MEADER.
SPEILVILLE, IOWA, May 12, 1892.
Dear Friend and Comrade, J. E. Simpson:
Your invitation received. I am sorry to say that I am not able to be present, as I have been sick all winter. I am now so that I can walk on crutches from one room to the other. I hope all the boys of the 12th will have a joyful time. My best regards to you all.
Your comrade, J. B. THOMPSON.
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PRECEPT, FURNAS Co., NEB., May 7th, 1892.
Deur Comrade Simpson:
I received the announcement 12th lowa reunion. Many thanks for it. I regret very much that circumstances prevent mne from meet- ing with the comrades at Sioux City. I will send one dollar to become a member of the association. I would like to ask Col. Stibbs if he still has that silver mounted revolver that the Confederate officer tried to make him give up when we were taken prisoners at Pittsburg land- ing. The officer hit him over the head with his sword and drew back to hit him again, but the Col. kept the revolver.
Your comrade,
W. B. KEITH, CO. "K."
HITESVILLE, BUTLER CO., IOWA, May 20, 1892. J. E. Simpson, Sec'y, Norfolk, Neb .:
DEAR COMRADE: We old vets here feel very much disappointed in our reunion. We left home Tuesday morning, 17th, for Sioux City: got delayed on the road and the washout got us so we could not get there; was within four miles of Le Mars and could get no farther: got home yesterday. There was on the train the following 12th lowa boys and their families:
Myself and wife, of Co. E, Hitesville, lowa.
C. V. Surfus and wife, Co. E. Bristow, lowa.
J. W. Rich and wife. Co. E. Vinton, lowa.
David Creighton, Co. B. Geneva, Iowa.
P. H. Morehouse. Co. K. Masonville, lowa.
W. Il. MeCune, Co. H, Ruthven, lowa.
I thought I would write this to let you know that we done the best we could to get there, and was very much disappointed in not getting there.
Now we do not like to wait four years for a rennion; would it not be a good idea to try and all meet at Storm Lake, June 16, 17, 18 and 19, when the Northwestern Soldier's Association have their camp fire. But at least, all I have talked with do not desire to have the reunion put off very long. I hope those of you that did get to Sioux City did have a good time. We telegraphed to you at Sioux City from Ramsen but could not get you before we left to go back to Cherokee. We thought we could go by Sheldon but could not. I remain,
Respect fully your old comrade,
J. S. MARGRETZ, Late of Co. "E" 12th lowa V. V. Inft.
COLUMBUS, OHIO, July 14, 1892. Mr. Simpson:
DEAR SIR: I received one of your letters today relating to the reunion at Sioux City, last May, from Gen. Stibbs. I did not know he was in Chicago until I saw his name in the newspaper. I am willing to hold the next reunion wherever the boys say. } have never been to one so I am in the dark in that respect. I was the youngest private soldier in the 12th; I belonged to Co. I. I was wounded at Tupelo, Miss., July 1864; 1 could not be taken back to Memphis, so I was left in the hands of the Rebs. I never seen the 12th after that. I had a consin, Mike Nagle, living in Dubuque. He belonged to Co. 1. Do you know his address? I see old Bill Kohler's name in your letter: he and I were in prison together. You bet your bottom dollar, old comrade, you let me know when and where the
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next reunion will be held and if I am walking around on top of carth I will be there. Write and let me know all the particulars. Your friend and comrade,
JOHN DEVINE, Arcade Hotel. Co. 1, 12th I. V. V. I.
SPENCER, Ono, May 12th, 1892.
Contrades of the 12th, and Especially of Co. K:
I have always bad an ardent desire to attend the reunion of my old regiment, but distance, business or other hindering circumstances have always so far intervened and I have always promised myself from year to year, that the next I would surely go. So that as I see anoth- er opportunity go by, I feel an added disappointment and have made up my mind to put in appearance anyhow, if only by a letter of regret. Boys, I am there in spirit and send, Hail! and farewell. When the pipes are lighted think of Your old comrade
RICHARD FREEMAN.
ELWOOD, IOWA, May 11th, 1892. D. D. McCallum, Sibley, lowa:
Dear Sir and Comrade of Co. "1" 12th lowa: For the past year I have been looking forward to our reunion with gladness and made preparations to be there and beone of you. But today changes have ve- curred to prevent my being present. I therefore send greetings to all old comrades of the 12th, from Gen. Stibbs down to that popular pri- vate, Ed Buttolph. Your comrade,
GEO. TESKEY.
MANCHESTER, IOWA, July 29th, 1892. Capt. J. B. Simpson, Norfolk, Nebraska:
DEAR FRIEND AND COMRADE: Yours of the 25th inst. receiveil. Always pleased to hear from you: wish I could meet you oftener that it is our privilege to shake. I will acknowledge that I received all circulars and printed matter relating to the 4th quadrennial reunion of our old 12th lowa regiment at Sioux City. While that enjoyable event did not fully materialize it was not however the fault of our very efficient executive committee, and as to the time and place when and where we should hold our 5th reunion I am very willing to leave all that matter to our executive board. I am satistted they will make no mistake. I am pleased to learn from you that the proceedings at Sioux City are to be compiled and printed. I know from past experi- ence that it is quite a task but the boys will be quite thankful. I am glad that a carefully written biography of Col. Wood's life is to appear in connection with the proceedings of the reunion at Sioux City. Dr. Barr had the distribution of our copies of the 3d reunion at Waterloo. I presume he has some copies still on hand: if you will write him I think he can and will furnish you with some copies. If you find the doctor cannot furnish them let me know and I will skirmish around among the boys here and see if I cannot find you a few copies. 1 am pleased to learn that your health is fairly good. My condition is no worse than it has been for the past few years. The survivors of our regiment residing here are well. Please remember me kindly to Mrs. Simpson and bear in mind that the love you express for me is heartily reciprocated by me. While I remain
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