USA > Iowa > Delaware County > Manchester > Reunion of the 12th Iowa V.[eteran] V.[olunteer] infantry 1st-8th, 1880-1903 > Part 35
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Adjutant S. R. Burch, Washing. ton, D. C. W. W. Whitenack. Waterloo. Mrs. W. W. Whitenack, Waterloo.
Lieut. lomer C. Morehead and Ed A. Buttolph, Cedar Rapids. John N. Weaver, Sioux City. John W. Rowan, Vinton. Dennis C. Quigley, Mallard. Gen. J. Stibbs, Peoria.
Josiah Scolt, Shellburg.
Company E.
J. S. Margretz, Kesley.
J. W. Rich, Iowa City. D. Craighton, Lonera.
C. V. Surfus, Bristow. R. L. Bird, Hampton. T. M. Earley, Dumont. Joe Franks, Lamont. David Schrack, Oelwein.
Company F.
R. W. Tirrell, Manchester.
G. W. Woolbridge, J. J. Easton, Edgewood.
Lieut. Abner Dunham, Manches- ter.
W. A. Nelson, Tom C. Nelson, Hazelton.
Mrs. R. W. Tirrell, Mrs. Thomas Eider.
Nother Otis, Nurse.
George Kent, Oelwein.
W. Il. Mac cy, assigned 27th Iowa. Jno. Litseher, Dubuque.
from
Company G.
O. P. Rockswold, Thoten, lowa. W. Kirkland, Freeport.
G. H. Hess, Washington Prairie, lowa.
M. E. Mender, Hesper.
Mrs. M. E. Meader.
Company H.
Capt. Bob Fishel, Manchester.
S. B. Sloan, Greeley.
H. S. Briggs, Marcus. Tom Smith, Cassville, Wis. S. (. Fishel, lowa Falls. A. T. Gainer, Farley. James Evans, Dubuque.
5
TWELFTH IOWA V. V. INFANTRY.
William Cox, Alta.
Mrs. Robert Fishel, Mrs. S. B.
Sloan, Mrs. S. C. Fishel.
P. Hannah, Bellevue.
Company I.
J. T. Camphell, Unique. Henry Smith, Maqnoketa.
George Yeley, Clinton.
T. J. Wilson, Maquoketa.
J. F. Butters, Sioux City.
M. C. McDermott, Placid.
J. C. Buchanan, S. L. Kennedy, Cedar Rapids.
M. D. Nagle, William Koehler, Dubuque.
George Teskey, Elwood. Mrs. T. J. Wlison.
Company K.
P. J. Morehouse, Manchester. Isaac Mickey, Waukon.
Codfrey Dolley, Coggan.
E. C. Merriam, Hopkinton
Mrs. Kane delegate to the meeting of the W. R. C. and Miss Bauer were also present with the Twelfth towa ladies, as was also Clad Fishel of Iowa Falls.
A committee on program was appointed, consisting of Major Reed, Capt. Soper and J. W. Rich, and they reported one for the af- ternoon and next morning.
Major Reed, secretary of the Shiloh National Park Commission gave a very interesting description of the battlefield of Shiloh. He said the battle was the most sanguinary of any fought during the civil war, when the number of men engaged on both sides were taken into account. The total number was 101,000, the confederates having several thousand more than the union army. The Twelfth lowa lost two officers and eighteen men filled, which, with the wounded and inissing ran the total loss up to 409. Eighty members of the regi- ment died In prison. Major Reed gave a very interesting account of the work done by the National Commission on the battlefield He said that the original condition of the field had been preserved to such an extent that the improvements that had been made bad not Interfered with the positions held by the several regiments, and that there were twenty-five miles of good gravel roads-hetler roads than those of Gettysburg. Mayor Reed's remarks were of a historica. character and were highly enjoyed by the veterans, who frequently applauded.
Captain Soper, Chairman of the lowa Shiloh Commission, spoke with reference to the regimental and state monuments which are to
6
SEVENTH REUNION OF THE
be erected saying that there were eleven of the former 10 be erected to mark the positions held by the regiments trom lowa. Each of these would cost $2,000, and the state monument $25,000 The regimental monuments would be of uniform height and design, He exhibited drawings of both monuments. The state monument, which is to be 75 feet high, will be erceted on the site of Gen. Wal- laces's headquarters, would be of Barry granite, and the regimental will be of the same material. The regimental will consist of four pieces, the whole weighing between thirty and forty tons, and nine feet, eleven inches in height. On the front will be the following inscription: "Iowa-Twelfth Regiment Infantry. First Brigade, Second Division." On the rear will be a large bronze tablet giving the names of those killed and who died of wounds received at Shiloh and those missing and never heard of. The monument will be in every way worthy of the Twelfth.
Capt. Abner Dunham, who represented the Twelfth on the com mission of Iowa organizations that were at Vicksburg during the selge, gave a very interesting description of the work done by the commission. He spoke of the present condition of the ground occu- pied by the Twelfth and other regiments. He said among other things that the Twelfth was not placed on the investment line. He said he had a hot time with Capt. Reed as to the position of the guns of the Second lowa battery, which were in advance of the speaker's company but which Capt. Reed maintained were not. He tried to convince the Captain but could not do so. Every member of the regiment knows Capt. Dunham is correct in the statement he made, and that, if the Twelfth was not on the jine of investment, as much at it was possible to be, it was not at Vicksburg, at all. It was supporting the battery. With reference to the state monument, which would be a splendid one, the speaker said he had the refusal of the site occupied by Grant's headquarters; or, if this was not satis. factory, the monument could be placed on a knoll near the headquar- ters.
The veterans met again on the morning of the 5th and the loca- tion of the Twelfth's Vicksburg monument was briefly discussed. Then a resolution was adopted, the substance of which was that Com- missioner Dunham exercise his judgment in having the monument lo- cated; in other words. the location selected by him will have the approval of the regiment.
A number of letters from comrades unable to be present were
7
TWELFTH IOWA V. V. INFANTRY.
then read and ordered filed.
Judge Weaver of Sioux City was called on and addressed the veterans briefly and aroused much enthusiasm. He was heartity applauded.
Gen. J. H. Stibbs, the last colonel of the regiment and who was breveted for gallant service, recited two fine poems, bearing on the war, and the applanse was liberal. The general's heart is as young as it was in '61.
Comrade Decker, with a little piece of birch bark, gave some selections and the sound could not be distinguished from that of a fife. He was roundly applauded.
The following officers were elected: President, Abner Dunham, Manchester; secretary, G. E. Comstock, Fayette; treasurer, D. W. Reed, Evanston, Il.
The place of holding the next reunion was left to the officers.
It was decided to publish a pamphlet of the proceedings of the reunion and a roster of all or as many as can be correctly obtained of the regiment. Any member of the Twelfth knowing his address is not known to the secretary is requested to send same to that officer, G. E. Comstock, Fayette.
In the afternoon the regiment, as a complete organization, with four of its field officers present and every company represented, under its own flag, borne by its own gallant color-bearer, Grannis, and com. manded by its last colonel, General Stibbs, joined the parade of the Grand Army of the Department of lowa and made, without doubt, its last march as a regiment. After the parade the regiment returned to the hall and said "Good-bye until we meet again."
Eighth Reunion
OF
Twelfth lowa Vet. Vol. Infantry
Dedication
Lincoln Monument and Col. Henderson Statue
Clermont, June 10-20, 03.
Reporter Publishing House, Fayette, Iowa.
i
PREFACE.
In the preparation of this work, your Committee of the "Whole House" (your humble servant ) on the "State of the Union" having under consideration the publishing of a pamphlet of the proceedings of Dedication of Lincoln Monument, Henderson Statue, and Reunion of 12th lowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry and fulfilling treaty stipulations with various "kickers" and for other purposes, depose and say: I have no apol- ogies to offer, or favors to ask; I have done the best I could under the circumstances, and no one will ever know what they were.
We take this opportunity to express with great pleasure our sincere thanks for the courtesies extended us by Miss Beulah Wright, Depart- ment of Expression, Upper lowa University for her superb rendition of "The Man Without a Country." To Miss Stella Spears of Westgate, lowa, daughter of Comrade Hart Spears for her beautiful selection and rendition of song. Also to Mrs. Prof. Chas. D. Nell of U. 1. U. for rent- dering so effectively that old time war song, "The Flag of our I'nien." To the Abernathy Q. A. R. Pust of West Union for the Sender and use of their lents for our reunion, and especially to the noble, generous and unexcelled Ladies of Clermont for their most elegant banquet which only required the "Countersign", "Twelfth lowa", to admit to the " King's Royal Frast."
To the Fayette Band and Drum Corps for their soul stirring music, taking special pains to render some of our old time marches and quick steps, much to the pleasure and satisfaction of all the "Boys." Aby to the Unbuque Times Publishing Company. Sioux City Journal. Hon. Sidney A. Foster, of the Royal Matural Life Ins. Co., Des Moines, lowa, for the use of half tone cuts. To Capt. J. B. Simpson for his cheerful and encouraging letter "Goslow and keep cool"- when I was up to my eyes in work. To Col. D. B. Henderson for his Back up"letter which made me so hot it singed my hair.
I kept right on "sawin' wood", "going slow", and "keeping cool." and here's your "wood pile" and "the man who carried a gun" from of to '65. Awaiting the pleasure of Your Excellency, i have the honor to renew the assurances of my high consideration for all Com- rades of the Twelfth lowa.
Your Humble Servant and Committee of the "Whole House."
G. E. COMSTOCK. SPC.
.96 14 3
Eighth Reunion, - Dedications.
INVITATION.
Clermont. lowa, April 1, 1903. C. E. COMstock, Ser's. of 12th lowa Vet. Vol. Inft. Reunion .Ass'n.
At a meeting of the Clermont Soldiers' Monument Association held last evening. the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Resolved: 'That the Secretary of the C. S. M. Association be and is hereby instructed to extend a very cordial invitation to the Twelfth lowa Vet. Vol. Int. Reunion Ass'n. to hold their reunion here on June 19th and 20th. Also
Resolved: - That the Association have charge of the dedicating of the Henderson Statue. Also it was suggested that you advise us what action you would be pleased to base us take in making suitable prepara- tion for the day and occasion. By order of the
Clermont Soldiers Monument Association, 1. 11. LOOMIS, Bee's.
THE CALL.
Head quarters Twelfth lowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry Reunion Ass'n. Payette. lowa. May 15. 1903.
DEAR COMRADES:
At a meeting of your Executive Committee, called by the President, to take into consideration the possibility of a reunion, it was decided to accept the proposition made to our association by the Clermont Soldiers' Monument Association, of Clermont, Iowa, to hold one remion at Cler- mont, June 19 and 20. 1903, at the time of the dedicarion of the Lincoln monument and Col. D. B. Henderson statne.
Ex-Governor and Mrs. Larrabee, and citizens. of Clermont, propose. and very much desire, To entertain. free of cust. all of the 12th łowa that may be pleased to come and they are preparing to make it a grand success.
Ex-Governor Larrabee has placed us under lasting obligations by conferring on our regiment the distinguished honor of dedicating the Henderson statue.
Hon. J. P. Bolliver bas consented to deliver the addres on that occasion. ( See program herewith enclosed. )
Once more, boys of the 12th, "Rally round the dag" and make the best effort of your lives to be present, and I am sure you will feel doubly repaid.
Respect fully,
G. E. COMSTOCK. SHE'S.
3
EIGHTH REUNION
Dedication Program.
FRIDAY, JUNE I !.
2 p. m. Assemble at Lincoln monument.
Music by West Union cornet band.
Invocation, Rev. M. S. Rice, pastor M. E. church, West Union. Song, Clermont Glee Club.
Presentation of Lincoln monument by Hon. Win. Larrabee Jr.
Address by Mayor J. H. Thechan.
2:30 p. m. Assemble al Henderson statue.
Unveiling statue by Miss Helen Larralde.
Presentation of Statue to 12th lowa for dedication by Victor Dolliver. Address by Maj. D. W. Reed.
Reading Miss U. S. Sorin's address on presentation of ling to Co. C, 42 years ago, by Miss Beulah Wright. C. I. C.
Song, "Flag of Our Union" by Mrs. Professor Chas. Neff, P. 1. U., with chorus.
3:00 p. m. Assemble at Pavilion.
Music by Fayette cornet band.
Address. Col. D. B. Henderson.
Vocal Music.
Address, Hon. .. P. Dolliver.
Music by U. I. I'. band and drum corps.
Reunion Program.
Sunset salute. Lowering the flag.
Music. Fayette drum corps.
i p .m. Assemble in Pavilion.
Music by C. I. U. band.
Invocation, T. J. Bassell, President 1. 1. 1'.
Vocal music by Miss Stella Spears of West Gate.
Address of Welcome. A. H. Loomis, of Clermont.
Response. Hon. R. W. Tertill of Manchester. Music.
Reading, "The Man Without a Country." Miss Beulah Wright, Department of Expression, U. I. C.
Shiloh, as seen today," P. R. Woods.
Love feast -Opened by Col. Jack Stibles, followed by ten minute talks by comrades.
Reading of letters from absent comrades.
12 p. m. Midnight tattoo.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20.
Sunrise salute, six o'clock reveille.
Sa. m. Assemble at headquarters.
Martial music.
Address. Lient. Abner Dunham, President.
to a. in. Business meeting.
10:30 a. m. Offering of resolutions, singing songs, Telling stories. visit ing, love feast and good time for all.
12m. Adjourn. Goodbye.
HED. E. Coli-TOUR. Soc.
TWELFTH IOW !
At Clermont.
la the beautiful Hill town of Gerannt, lowa. nestled down among The hills surrounding it, ( distinguished as the home of Ex-Gov. Larrabee ) over six thousand people assembled. in recognition of the Dedication of Linesin Monument, Col. D. B. Henderson Statue, and Reunion of the Twelfth lowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry. Dark clouds, which hovered overhead during the early morning, failed to keep the people of Fayette county from coming to these exercises. Prom early morning till noon farmers came to the city, while the trains brought many others. The town was beautifully decorated will dags an I bunting while the pavillion, from which the addresses were made, was beautiful; and artistically dec- orated. The citizens turned out en masse. there was a great crowd present .
The Sionmaent to Abraham Lincoln, the first unveiled, stands di- reach opposite the Rock Island dopet. It can be platuly seen by all who pass through the town, as well as by the citizens of the place. A little park has been fitted up in military style, ornamented with a can- holt brought from the old battlefields. The herole statue stands on a base and pedestal of granite.
There are four tablets representing scenes of the war of the rebellion. Tabel these areof general subjects and two apply directly to Clermont. The represents the surrender, Grant and Lee seated at a table with mited generals of both side, standing back of them. It is a striking group. 'The other general group represents an action in Mobile bay. It represents l'arragut in the rigeligsand Lieutenant Da way, now the ad- miral, in command of a gan squad.
The two home sul jectsare quite as striking as the others. One rep- reseats Thomas Hemdeison. of Co. C. brother of Col. Henderson, leaving home to gato war. - 'The other is a large group representing Captain War- Her, of Clermont, and his company, ( of 12th, in battle: Dr. Lewis ako of Clermont, caring for the wounded and Gen. Sherman on horseback. is seen in the background.
And the work is highby artistic and substantial. The statue i, the creation of bro. D. Bisseli. of New York. The Henderson statue is the work of Massy Ridad. a sculptor, who came to this country from Boot- land. infare the world's fair and who has since made a prominent place Car himself in the cast. His work has been praised by the ablest ari milles
.
EIGHTH REUNION
Monument and Statue.
After music by the band, prayer by Rev. M. S. Rice, of West Union, and more music by the local chorus, Ex-Governor Larrabee, in a few well chosen words, presented the monument to the people of Clermont and the public generally. The response was made by Mayor J. H. Sheehun. Music by the chorus closed the exercises here.
The company immediately moved to the Henderson statue, the chorus furnishing the opening music, after which Miss Helen Larrabee, youngest daughter of the Ex-Governor, unveiled the statue.
Mr. V. M. Dolliver, of Fort Dodge, on behalf of Governor Larrabee and his family, presented the statue of Colonel Henderson to the town of Clermont, after which the dedication ceremonies were given into the hands of the Twelfth lowa Regiment.
Upon the statue was draped two flags, on either arm. On the right hung the flag of Company C, made by Miss E. A. Sorin ( then precep- tress) and the young ladies of the Upper lowa University and presented to Company C. It was carried by H. J. Grannis, our Regimental Color Bearer, and was, by him, the first union fag planted on the breast works of Ft. Donelson, where Lieut. D. B. Henderson fell, seriously wounded in the throat, while leading bis men In this fierce charge. On the left hung that historie emblem, the flag of Company K. Surgeon Finley of our regiment, says: "I saw that flag go down three times in that 'pot metal hell' and as often come up again." (See history of Co. K tag in this book ).
It was in this fearful, hotly contested battle of Corinth, Miss., where Lieutenant D. B. Henderson again fell, this time loosing his left leg, and this is why this flag hung on that same side with the cruteh. Is it any wonder, that when we recall all this, after the lapse of over forty years and when we again meet as comrades, that the "tear will unbidden start"? The interest still continued when Major D. W. Reed, of Co. C, who had received a severe wound at Shiloh, which the flag on the right arm represented, and was also in the Corinth battle, under lead of the flag on the left, arose and made the following remarks:
TWELFTH IOWA
Maj. Reed's Address.
Gov. Larrabee, I have been requested by my comrades, of the 12th lowa, to dedicate your generous and gracious gift and in their behalf to attempt in feeble words to express the gratitude we feel toward you for thus placing in living bronze and enduring granite this splendid testi- monial to a superb Towa soldier and that soldier an honored member of our regiment.
As the veil fell away there was revealed three objects that at once attracted my attention and filled me with emotions that are hard to control and impossible for me to describe in words. First, I beheld a per- fect representation of one who was iny schoolmate and classmate; our comrade and friend. and has, for over forty years, been the personal friend, not only of the members of our regiment, but of every soldier who wore the blue; one who has filled to the utmost the highest ideal of what a scholar, soldier and statesman should be and has by personal merit risen to the second highest place in the nation and has filled every station with honor to himself and his constituents, without a stain upon his character. It was a happy thought of yours, Gov. Larrabee, to select this Ideal soldier, this member of the 12th lowa as a representative and place his statue on the monument that shall for all the adorn this beautiful city, and then ask us to dedicate i !.
Next, I see "Our Flag" and the sight carries me back forty two years to the Upper Iowa University where, In the summer of 1801 the students organized a company for drill, calling themselves "University Recruits" under a resolve that: "When our services are needed, we will drop our books to fight our country's battles." At the head of that company stood two men who have been today signally honored: William W. Warner and David B. Henderson. After drill September 15, 1861, Captain Warner read the call of President Lincoln for 300,000 men, and suggested that in his opinion the time had come to put our resolution to the test. At a meeting in the Chapel that afternoon twenty three students signed en- listment papers and directed Captain Warner to offer their services to the government for three years, or during the war. The ladies of the University. full of patriotic zeal and devotion to their country, fashioned with their own hands, a beautiful flag, embroidering on its folds the words "University Recruits" and gave it to the company with these patriot ie words:
"Take our flag. Proudly, confidently, we commit it to your keeping. We do not bid you guard it, we know it Is safe In your hands. As you have been proud to live under it, if death be your lot, may you die under its folds, and may tod protect and prosper yon as you defend your colors. "
Upon the organization of the 12th Towa regiment, the University recruits became Company C and "Our Flag" became the regimental col- ors. It received its first baptism of fire at Fort Donelson, where it was carried in triumph over the works, but left a trail of wounded in its path. among them Lieutenant Henderson and W. B. Warner, of Clermont. The bright folds of this flag waved at Shiloh, over that stubborn line at the "ffornets' Nest," from early morning unth night, inspiring Its de- fenders with heroic courage that enabled them to resist the repeated charges of the enemy. The "Army of the Tennessee" was saved but those
who contributed most to prevent its defeat, sacrideed Geurseives and were compelled to surrender and see their flag carried from the ileki, a trophy of war. That was indeed a dark day for the 12th loga. Of 489 present for duty on the field. tto were killed, wounded or missing. only ten escaped the casualties of faith and they were engaged with the sup- goon in caring for the wounded. Bat the most to be regretted feature of that disaster was the report, sent out by newspaper conlespondenis, that the regiment was surrounded and captured in their tents in the morning. There were few left to dispute the story and the regent gained such credence, before the prisoners tothirmed, that imans accepted the state- ment as true. 'The ladies of the 1. 1. 1. were among the first to find the trae history of the surrender and we hear them in a Jane oration, saying:
" il honor to those who fought and fell around the dag at shiloh. Nobly did they wrestle with the the, but as the day wore away, kind heaven for one moment averted her face, the enemy rallied aromet his- lessenet members and our sepuoi in tes were prisoners. Our ting was wrested from the grasp al those who prized It dexter than life. We tender our sympathy to those, who, enduring the fate of war, farty be- heath a southern sky; and bid them remember that captivity which comes with honor is irne liberty. It is true that the flag tica waved us adie !! from youder hill is ours no longer, kad the spirit whose utterance it was. is us free as the air of our prairies and we but wait the word to fling forth to the breeze again:
''he fars for oar heroes. Ter Mripes for our fooms''
Upon the return of the prisoners the fair bank inn fashioned the first the made this beautiful day an exact duplicate of the that, and presented it to the company, It is the day that was treed as regimental colors at Spanish D'art and has been present at every reunion of the legi- ment, still borne by the laval, gillet hands of Henry J. dranhis, who
But I see another Blog, as it fints now from the art of the statue. almost as inspiring as the vilger. It is the day of Co. I, and was carried by the Union Brigade at Corinth. Around it the 19th lowa rallied, and in that fierce melee lost, in killed and wounded, half the number engaged on the field. Three color bearers in succession went down and the fiag was, for a moment, in the hands of the enemy, but its de fenders rallied, and in a band to hand conflict rescued it and placed it in the hands of Sergeant Cole of Co. B, who was soon shot through the baly, but crawled to the rear, beating the ting with him, stained, as god we by his blood. The cucine was repulsed, but around that blood stained fanger lay Will
If it was intended to arouse all our enthusiasm. to lill our hearts too full for words. no better devise could have f een planned, then to chapa those Hage around the statueof our loved connade and then amell them before our eve ..
In this year 150%, our regions at has been highly favored. The state. of lowa has created at Shiloh a beautiful monthment, which will tell to all future ages the story of its heroic struggles. And It at Chermint, the home of so mean of its former members. as been erected this beautiful statue to tell to coming generations something of the houralde life and
TWELFTH IOWA
service of one of our comrades; that shall inspire our children and chil- dren's children to aets of patriotism, and to the study of the history of the country, and of a regiment that took an active part and did gallant ·service for our country.
And now my comrades, in the name of those of our munnber who shed their blood in defense of these colors; of those who died that our country might live, and of those living still pledged to equal sacrifice, if necessary, to keep our flag afloat, we dedicate this statue as a memorial, that shall stimulate the people of Clermont, of all future generations, to emulate the example of our comrade in all his gallant service for his country.
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