USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > Reunion of the Second Iowa Cavalry Veteran Association, 1882 > Part 7
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The statesmen of Europe of the last century gave our young reputi.
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fifty years in which to terminate its experiment disastrously. There was a principle of disintegration, which one section had attempted to impose upon our system-State sovereignty. We aided in disposing of that baleful doctrine in a way that established this republic as a NATION, inseparable and indivisible. [Great cheering.] We were no longer a compact between different sovereignties ; and, after that ques- tion was solved, what wonderful strides the republic has made! The government of Washington . never before took its place among the nations of the earth as now-as powerful as the mightiest in war and in peace. [Great applause. ]
I remember when I went into camp at Davenport. The Muscatine companies had already arrived. Not one in my command knew any- thing of cavalry tactics. We overtook Adjutant General Baker on the road, and he instructed me to report to Colonel Hatch. How I was to properly form my company into line, and get them off their horses before military eyes, evoked the wildest and most painful apprehen- sions. [Great laughter.] For fifteen minutes, I was unutterably mis- erable. [Laughter.] Fortunately, a messenger arrived to request General Baker's return to the city (Davenport), and he invited me to accompany him. I said to. my lieutenant: "Take the men to camp, dismount, and care for them." Ah ! that look of horror that seized the lieutenant! [Loud laughter.] The face of the wretch haunted me into the city. But when we got to camp, we found that our ignorance was not surpassed for profundity by most of the regiment. There was a notice to officers to appear at a certain hour, at the drill-master's tent. Many of you remember that officer-his delicate figure, and effeminate voice. Some sixty or seventy of us reported, with large numbers of the men who wanted to see the officers drill. [Laughter.] In his shrill, piping voice, the drill-master addressed us: "Perhaps it would be prudent to go to a more retired place, before we proceed to business." [Explosive laughter.] We all thought so. We marched off behind him, single file [laughter], and went up hill and down, until reaching a deep hollow which our captain pronounced about the thing. [Great merriment.] He then commanded us to surround him in a circle, and, in his soft, measured accents, thus addressed us: " You are undoubtedly inspired to serve your country. [Loud laughter.] You know we are a citizen soldiery, and we will not inflict great harm upon the national enemy without some training. [Laughter.] It will be necessary to have some training. [Laughter. ] Now, gentlemen, at the base of all tactics, nothing is more important than the position of the soldier, described thus-the heels together, the toes separated about thirty-three degrees from a perpendicular line passing between the heels." [Roars of laughter.]
(The speaker continued at length to describe that first lesson of the officers, illustrating it with irresistible mimicry of voice and move- ment, and was followed by the convulsive merriment of generals, colonels, and the whole house.)
Not much exaggeration, he continued, but a tolerably fair sample of the efficiency of officers who had the first attempt at the making of an army. Soon we had competent officers, and some instructed them- selves. Wonderful, that an army of over 2,000,000 men were thus enrolled for war! Of this great host, 67,000 were killed in battle ; 43,- 000 died subsequently of wounds; 29,000 perished in prison pens; 25,000 died from casualties, and 235,000 died of disease. More than 100,000-fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons, full of love and hope and
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patriotism-were sacrificed, and their graves are all over the South. The war cost more than $13,000,000,000-within one billion of all the then wealth of the country-all expended and lost as the direct result of treason. In these days, it is the proper thing to indulge in kindly feeling ; but I do not feel reconciled to those who inaugurated that ter- rible struggle to perpetuate a gigantic wrong. [Cheers.] I feel a little like a man-an old settler in my county-whom I prosecuted for selling liquor, and compelled him to quit; and who, in his maudlin moments, would take a walk by his old saloon. and soliloquize like this: " It wasn't right to turn me out-an old settler ; to stop me-an old pioneer -from following an honest business. But I forgive them; yes, I for- give them, G-d d-n their souls." [Roars of laughter. ] In some such modified way [laughter], I forgive those who plotted the destruction of my country. [Applause.] The man who tore down that flag is not to me like the one who kept it high advanced. [Cheers. ] The men who wanted to dismember this Union into warring States, are not the same to me as they who offered their life-blood in cementing it into one grand nation. [Applause.] I don't believe we should teach our child- ren to blend all old antagonisms to the confounding of loyalty and treason. In all probability, we shall not be called upon to face another great war.“ An ocean 3,000 miles wide separates us from the armies of Europe, and we have nothing on this side that we couldn't swallow before breakfast. [Laughter. ] But it may be that in our own land seeds are being sown that will make the past a bagatelle in the horrors of war. When a man who advances the theory of abolishing own- ership in land can receive 69,000 votes in New York City, and an avowed anarchist 28,000 in Chicago, it is not all peace. We suffer to-day from a foreignism for which there seems no relief. We have always been an asylum for the oppressed and poor of Europe, only asking them to be with us and of us, and to take an oath that they were well affected toward our government, disavowing allegiance to all others, and presenting a certificate of good moral character. Our invi- tation has been to these, and not to those who come to change and sub- vert our system of government. [Applause.] It is high time for the American people to declare, once and for all, that there is no room in the United States for the Anarchist. [Tremendous applause.] No room for this spoliative, murderous, revolutionary socialism in a land where so many thousands of heroes sacrificed their lives for the perpet- uity of good, honest government.
Applause, loud and long continued, followed the eloquent speaker to his seat.
The glee club sang "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground," when the president announced that opportunity would now be given to all wish- ing to retire, and, if the boys desired, they could remain and continue the exercises.
The orchestra played during the recess, and, but few retiring, "Kansas" Jones was called to the chair, and he proceeded to business. He said there were 200 men in the regiment who could make a speech that would astonish Muscatine [laughter], and he wanted them called out. "Call anybody," he said, "and I'll see that you have him, if it takes Generals Elliott and Hatch to fetch him. Call for anything you want."
Sergeant L. B. Pierce, of Company K, was lustily called for, and had
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to come forward. The veteran color-bearer took one of the tattered stands in his hand, and made it the text for one of the best addresses of the evening. One of his observations must be added to this extended report :
Lying in tent one evening, he said, he and a comrade looked out on the wicked camp, and, shrinking from its sights and sounds, his com- panion feelingly remarked that it would not be two years, before they would be ashamed of their connection with such an army. The news- papers were full of the horrors of camp-life, and the gravest apprehen- sions were felt in the North for the safety of peace and order, when the camp should be exchanged by those hundreds of thousands for pursuits unrestrained save by their own passions and pleasures. But the speaker challenged the history of any nation for illustrations of nobler citizenship than was taken up and so faithfully rendered to the country by those disbanded armies. [Applause.]
Many were now disposed for a social tine, and, the hour drawing near to midnight, THE GREAT CAMP-FIRE was left to its embers, not for extinguishment, but, like the glowing memories of the evening, to preserve alive the holy fire of regimental comradeship, until the next reunion shall fan it into another flame of patriotic and fraternal festivity.
THURSDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 13th.
The meeting this morning at 10 o'clock, at Stein's Music Hall, was largely attended, nearly every seat being filled. Comrades Jones, Law- rence, Rigby and others were called forward, and were constituted an extemporized choir.
The irrepressible Jones announced that they were going to sing, and requested that a guard be placed at each door to not let anybody out.
"John Brown" was then sung, all rising joined in the chorus.
It was moved that Generals Hatch and Elliott take seats on the platform. The order to " Forward March " was given by the audience, and the Generals marched to the front amidst tremendous cheering.
Colonels Horton, Hepburn, and Hare of the 11th Iowa, were like- wise called forward, and were greeted with vociferous applause.
Colonel Elliott told the boys that they would not have ordered him around this way twenty-five years ago. Cries of "No, its our turn HOW."
President Egbert then announced that the next business of the meeting would be the reports of the committees.
The committee on resolutions reported as follows : 4
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RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, The Second Iowa Cavalry Association, since its organi- zation, has accomplished much towards cementing in bonds of fraternal affection the ties once welded in the fire of battle, and that each succes- sive gathering tends to cement us more firmly as one common brother- hood; therefore, be it
Resolved, That we feel it the duty of every member to make all reas- onable sacrifice to be present at these social gatherings, in order that we may still keep alive memories of our former associations.
Resolved, That we hail the presence at this time of our old com- manders, with feelings of profound pleasure, fully appreciating the dis- tance traveled, the inconvenience endured, so that they might once more look into the faces of the men whose highest ambition was to fol- low where they led.
Resolved, That we will ever cherish the memories of our departed comrades, that we will forget their shortcomings, emulate their virtues, and hope to meet all in that grand reunion where parting will be no more.
Resolved, That the thanks of this association are due to the officers and permanent committee, for the able and efficient manner in which they have discharged their duties.
Resolved, That we tender our sincere thanks to the hotels of Musca- tine, and the various railroad companies, for the favors received at their hands.
The above were unanimously adopted, and the committee on time and place of holding the next reunion, submitted the following report, which was adopted with few dissenting votes :
TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT REUNION.
Mr. President-Your committee on time and place, respectfully re- commend Maquoketa, Iowa, as the place of holding the next reunion, and that the time be the second Wednesday and Thursday of October, 1889.
W. L. CADLE, Chairman.
The report of the committee on officers for the ensuing year, was read as follows :
OFFICERS.
We have the honor to report the following names for election :
President-J. M. W. Rumple, Marengo.
Vice-President-Thomas M. Wilds, Anamosa.
Secretary and Treasurer-George W. Kelsall, Canton.
Executive Committee-Burnap of Clear Lake, Beeson of Marshall- town, and Sudlow of Rock Island.
W. B. BRUNTON, Chairman.
On motion, the above were elected as the officers for the ensuing two vears.
The committee to whom was referred the question of banquets at future reunions, reported the following resolutions, which were adopted :
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BANQUET.
Your committee to whom was referred the subject of banquets at our future reunions, would report the following resolution :
Resolved, That we discourage the furnishing of a banquet by the citizens of the place where we hold our future reunions, and recom- mend that the literary exercises of the banquet be consolidated with our camp-fire exercises.
L. I. WASHBURN, Chairman of Committee.
Colonel Horton suggested that some of the boys would probably like to see Generals Hatch and Elliott in their regular army uniform, and the boys unanimously ordered that they appear in their uniforms at the banquet. General Elliott had not brought his, but all had the pleasure of seeing General Hatch in his.
The question of whether the regiment should have a picture taken was raised. The prevailing opinion seemed to be, that Generals Hatelı and Elliott, and Colonels Horton, Hepburn and Egbert, have their pic- tures taken, so that the boys who wanted to could secure them.
A recess was then taken until 12:30 this afternoon.
THE BANQUET.
Thursday noon of the 13th was appointed for the banquet.
THE PARADE.
At 1 o'clock P. M., the regiment formed into line in front of head- quarters (Music Hall), under command of General Elliott, by compan- ies, four abreast, and escorted by the City Cornet Band, marched up Second street to Walnut, and returning came down Second to Armory Hall. There were over 250 men in column, every company well repre- seuted, and, as the long line stood at "front face " before marching, General Elliott enthusiastically exclaimed : "The old regiment has come to life again ! It makes a grand showing !" The remark was brilliantly verified as The solid column came marching down Second street, its old battle-flags fluttering in the breeze, the resonant tread of the veterans mingling with the stirring notes of the band, each column under a well-known officer, the leading first four of the column being composed of General Hatch, Colonels Horton, Hepburn, and Burgh (of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry)-as proud a crest as ever worn by a regiment.
THE BANQUET HALL.
The banquet hall reached, over 350 guests sat down to the inviting spread, the veterans being interspersed with their wives, and other lady companions. The hall was elegantly decorated with flags and tri-color
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festoons. The tables, seventeen in number, glistened with the beautiful silver service, unique china and satin ware, and exquisite chrystal from the homes of Muscatine, and were profusely decked with the loveliest treasures of the conservatory. On each plate reposed a button-hole bouquet, bearing the cards of the fair waiters, and inscribed with appropriate sentiment, as the following :
"Here's to the pilot that weathered the storm."
"How well Horatius kept the bridge In the brave days of old!"
"The end crowns all."
The president, Colonel Egbert, sat at a center table, with Mayor Gobble, General Elliott, General Hatch, and other distinguished offi- cers, with their ladies, At an adjoining table, sat a company equally honored by the regiment-the venerable mothers of the famous " Ladies' Aid Society," which did such constant service for the soldiers during the war. Another company of Muscatine's fair dames and maidens performed the waiting service, and it was not the least gratifi- cation of the hour to the guests, to see and be served by so many of the ladies who dispensed the hospitality of the city to the regiment, twenty-two years before, on its return from the war.
The company arranged at table, prayer was offered by Chaplain Diffenbacher, when the order was given to "fall to." The attack opened upon the luxurious menu which embraced every dish and deli- cacy which hospitality and taste could devise. The hum and buzz of conversation, mingled with many a merry laugh, told of the convivial feast, and an hour passed before there were signs of the banquet weak- ening. Then the fair waiters were drawn into social contact with the hour, by frequent sallies of wit and compliment from the tables, returned with interest, and the hall became a scene of general mirth and sociability.
The president brought order out of the elements, by announcing the first sentiment of the banquet :
" The Army that Fought Without Guns-The Women." Response by Colonel Horton.
Colonel Horton arose, and said that the sentiment had been deliv- ered to him by mail, just before leaving Kentucky for home, and it had kept up a rhythmic mingling on the journey, with the musical cadence of the iron wheels as they sang to his ear, "Homeward Bound," "Homeward Bound." There were different armies that fought with- out guns. There was the army of our sires, who furnished the muni- tions, and upheld the arms of the War Governors. [Applause.] There was another army which unfortunately for its ranks and for us and for the country, held a position in our rear during the war. Our own regi-
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ment illustrated what may be done without guns, but with brave sabres, under a Hatch, at Farmingham, May 9th, 1862. [Applause.]
But the women-happy,. thrice happy, the soldier who could Jook through sunshine and through storm, and see the face and feel the love and prayers of mother, wife, sister, sweetheart, following and blessing him through the fortunes of the field. [Applause.] Yet, comrades, there were women who were not wholly without guns. We met them that July, 1862, as we went whirling through the streets of Jackson after Forrest; and there were shots from them, too. The fire was not returned, except in the cry : "Bully for you; but we're loaded for bear." [Applause and laughter.] We will all agree that the women of the South supported their cause like heroines, every one; and it was not their fault it didn't win. [Applause. ]
But let us turn to that noble army of women in the North, working in season and out of season in sending comfort and hope and courage to the front. [Loud applause. ] While we were surrounded with the pomp and circumstance of war, and supported by the daily excite- ments, they were left alone to wait and work, watch and pray. We have with us to-day a remnant of that woman's league which sustained us so untiringly with their hearts and hands during all that long strug- gle; and it was twenty-two years ago this summer, that they waited through the whole night, till morn, to welcome us home, and give us the best of their pantries. [Applause.] Like the electric telegraph, they connected their mystic cords of love and sympathy with every soldier in camp and field, and they were our inspiration in every trial and every danger.
"Just before the battle, mother, I am thinking, dear, of you."
Boys, that was as true as gospel. God bless that noble army with- out guns-the loyal women of the Union. [Great applause. ]
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PRESIDENT EGBERT : The next sentiment is, " The Volunteer Sol- dier." You will hear something about him from "Kansas" Jones. [Applause.]
Comrade Jones took the floor, amid cheers and merriment. He said he had been informed 23 minutes ago, by Colonel Egbert, that he was to make a speech. The secretary wrote him six months ago to the same effect, but they had had a civil service reform in Kansas, with a change of postmasters, [laughter] and the secretary's letter didn't count. But had he six months for preparation, he couldn't select a better text than-"Colonel Horton." [Laughter. ] Whatever you may think of the Colonel now, I thought there was plaguey little material of a soldier in him when he enlisted. [Laughter.] He couldn't keep step to any music, and I thought if he ever came out, it would be the
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wonder of the Nineteenth century. [Roars of laughter.] I remember him as an apprentice soldier, and the homeliest man in America. [Up- roarous merriment.] He began to drill under Colonel Elliott, and I don't wonder the Colonel turned gray. [Laughter.] But he came out and I became so proud of him, that I introduced my wife to him to- day. [Applause.]
The volunteer soldier started from the farm and the machine shop, and they made the best armies the world ever saw. [Applause.] I hate to say anything complimentary about him-it is too much like patting ourselves. But he made his mark where it will show for itself and stand forever. [Applause. ]
We have not done fighting yet. There are great issues rising in the land. We began down in Kansas some time ago to get into line of battle, and we have done some fighting. We are now for prohibition. We have concluded that we have voted in saloons and livery stables long enough, and we are going to introduce an element into our politics that shall lift us out of the slums. Don't you say that I am hen- pecked. [Laughter.] We think the present crisis greater than the war, and we rejoice down there that Iowa is falling into line with us. We are going to lead the continent down there, on that "Great Ameri- can Desert," and make it the center and core of civilization, as it is of the country. I am not boasting of Kansas, but my advice to all of you is, to sell out and come down, and we will make you feel at home and glad that you came. [Applause.]
THE PRESIDENT : The next toast is " The Cavalryman." To be re- sponded to by Rev. Frank Diffenbacher.
Lieutenant Diffenbacher was warmly greeted. The cavalryman means the coming together of mighty forces. He unites the soul, mind, energy and bravery of man, with the sinews, strength, fleetness and daring of the horse. You witnessed the serried tramp of the boys to- day, but you missed the elan of the cavalry troop, as it rode on the wings of the wind to brave deeds. [Applause.] The speaker continued in review of the cavalry's special service, and complimenting the boun- tiful and delightful entertainment by the ladies of Muscatine, con- cluded with a fervent appeal for the valor and virtue of the veteran to make their force felt in the great moral issues now rising in the land.
The president gave "The Old Flag," as the next sentiment, and called up Colonel Hepburn, who was received with great applause.
The colonel said : I am not going to try to talk of the beauty of the old flag. In looking over the colored prints of the flag of nations, we see many more beautiful to the eye-more harmonious in hue, and
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handsomely effective. But I have never seen one I valued so much as the "old flag." We love it for what it typifies-what it speaks of. Here is a rose-it is not so pretty or fragrant that we admire it so much for itself; but it represents balmy winds, fragrant showers, the trans- forming sunlight, and prolific earth ; and from its form, color, and per- fume, we get a large idea of nature. So when we think of what that flag typifies, and makes possible, our hearts go out to it. The American home exists by reason of that flag-the only ideal home-for that flag tells of a government that admits of no barbarous right of entail and primogeniture, under whose practice and rule of inequality no true fra- ternity can gather around the fireside. [Applause.] That flag is the representative of the majesty, wealth, intelligence, and creative capac- ity of 60,000,000 people, welded together as one nation. Our blessings as a nation come so constantly, like the sunshine, genial air and show- ers, and harvests of nature, that we scarcely value them. If we could be deprived of them for a time, how inestimably should we prize them ! That flag is valuable, because it gives us protection abroad. No American citizen abroad relies on his own individual power for his security. He is safe, because backed by the 60,000,000 symbolized by that flag. Our country does not excel in climate, soil, precious metals, the possibilities of agriculture, or scenery, the rival attractions of Mex- ico. Why should there be such a difference in the values of the two countries? Mexico was settled earlier, and on richer foundations. It is because there is no flag south of the Rio Grande that gives security to life and property. [Applause.] A subtle influence seems constantly at work, down there, pervading all society and all sections, and breed- ing strife and revolution. There have been twenty-seven different gov- ernments in Mexico, since the overthrow of Spanish rule. Our flag stands for permanence-for that stability that is the vital condition of all prosperity. [Cheers.]
The very religion we have is represented by that flag. It stands for the Constitution, which remands every citizen to his own conscience. Every man and woman's faith is protected by that flag. [Applause.] The speaker reviewed some of the religious wars which had desolated other nations. No matter what a man's religion is, it becomes a dis- turbing influence when under restraint. Human language is so poor that it fails to express the shades and subtleties of our understanding. Six hundred religious sects have based their faith upon different inter- pretations of the same Holy Writ. The prescience and patriotism of our fathers shone brightest in their imbedding Freedom of Conscience in the Constitution. [Applause.] We do not teach our children suffi- ciently what is due the old flag-what it stands for. It is to our insti- tutions what the Cross is to the Christian religion. [Great applause.]
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