USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > Reunion of the Second Iowa Cavalry Veteran Association, 1882 > Part 9
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KATHERINE M. B. ELLIOTT.
The following reply to letter and resolutions sent to Mrs. Hatch was received and read:
FORT MADISON, Iowa, April 20, 1889 .- J. N. W. Rumple, President -- Dear Sir :- Oar mother, Mrs. E. S. Hatch, wishes me to express her grat- itude to you and all the surviving members of Gen. Hatch's regiment. The thoughtful kindness of loving friends has been a great solace to her during her recent sorrow. Truly yours,
MRS. R. B. HATCH.
Letters of regret from the following comrades were received, read and ordered incorporated in the proceedings of this meeting:
Gen. Datus E. Coon, A. R. Rogers, Harry B. Burgh, Wm. F. John- son. J. W. Lawrence, Judge Ansel R. Clarke, B. F. Diffenbacker. John Montgomery, Hon. J. M. Greene, Capt. Samuel Gilbert, Bugler John E. Williamson, J. C. Smith.
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FOURTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
President Rumple paid a glowing tribute to the memory of our be- loved commanders, Generals Elliott and Hatch, and requested that the choir sing "The Vacant Chair."
Col. Chas. C. Horton was called upon to add to the tribute of affection for our old commanders, which he did in well chosen words and in a man- ner that brought tears to the eyes of many an old veteran.
Col. Sanford was also called upon and in beautiful words added his eulogy to the gallant commanders and comrades who have passed "beyond the river."
"Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" was then rendered by choir and audience.
Comrade T. T. Anderson made a few remarks in which he spoke of Col. Elliott as a severe disciplinarian when in the army and contrasted this with the kindness and goodness of heart of the noble Colonel in civil life, in which he paid a noble eulogy to the departed General.
Benediction was pronounced by Comrade J. B. Albrook, when the con- vention adjourned until the evening Camp Fire.
About an hour after adjournment the following dispatch was received from Gen. Datus E. Coon. It was read afterward at the Camp Fire and received great applause from the "boys:"
SAN DIEGO, Cal., Oct. 9, 1889 .- G. W. Kelsall, Secretary Second Iowa Cavalry Association, Maquoketa, Iowa- Boys, my heart has been with you all day. Whoop 'em up! "SAME OLD COON."
THE CAMP FIRE.
Wednesday evening the Odeon, large as it is, was not large enough to accommodate all who wished to attend the camp fire. Although every seat was occupied and all standing room taken many were unable to gain ad- mission.
The meeting was called to order by Commander Rumple a little before 8 o'clock, and the Maquoketa Glee Club, assisted by the audience. sang "America." This was followed by
MAYOR DUNN'S ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Soldiers, our city is yours. You have heard words like these before, but it was when the resounding voice of the cannon and the roar of musketry demanded them. It was the yielding cry of a vanquished enemy. Tidings swift as messengers could bring them twenty-five years ago bore words like these and told of fiercely-fought battles, of weapons that came and went like the flash of lightning, and finally resulting in a succession of victories and triumphs that brought the angry brow of rebellion to the smiling days of peace.
Your war record has left a country for us-a country that lies in the middle of an ad- miring world, and with a continuance of such patriotism it can never begin to decay, nor can the storms of ambition enter the fields to cut down the understandings of the greatest nation on earth.
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FOURTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
Looking back to the days of '64 we see a day that begins to break and a light that shoots like a streak of miracles toward the building of a nation never before so fair, never before so just and so mighty, and when we consider that such golden gifts were from the hands of the noble men who marched through the burning fires of rebellion, we feel like bestowing welcome to your every move.
If this assembly is here for pleasure, every pleasant garden, every orchard and every fine arbor is yours; every roof or lofty dome of the city is yours, each and all with a wel- come and a thousand welcomes.
Heroes of Nashville, Iuka, Corinth, West Point, Farmington Charge and scores of bloody fields, we feel exalted and honored by your presence.
[Col. Rumple's address in response to Mayor Dunn's was received too late for insertion here but will be found on another page.]
The Glee Club then sang "America's Ensign."
Mrs. Geo. W. Trout delighted the audience with a recitation entitled, "Why He Did Not Sell the Farm."
John L. Taylor then delivered a recitation entitled
SCHNEIDER'S RIDE.
From gross der rifer ad broke of day,
Bringin' by Brooklyn fresh dismay,
Der news vas send by a Dutchman drue,
Dot der officers of der refenue
Vood be ofer in less as an hour or dwo,
To confiscate all der viskey dey got
In Schneider's place, or near der shpot.
Und vilder yed dem rumors dey flew,
Dill Schneider didn't know vat to do: So he closed der doors und barred dem dight, Saying, "Dey kin hammer avay mit all der might,
Of der gid dem open before it's night;
Den I don'd know but ve shall see
Who is der shmardest, dem or me!"'
For an hour or dree no rasd he got,
Shdill Schneider shdaid righd on deer shbot.
But dere is a shdreed in Brooklyn down
Dot isn'd bafed, dot leads righd down To Goney Island, und vat is more (Dot's a vonder id never vas used before),
Id vas right in frond of der back of der shdore,
Und dere on dos road vas nine drucks und a cart,
Loading mit viskey all ready to shdart;
Dey're mosd all loaded, und Schneider is gay, In den momends he'll be bout a mile avay. Dey're off, und noding is lef to show
. Vat vay dey made ub deir minds to go; Und eferyding's mofed, yed not a sound Kin be heered but der veels agoin around As dey mofe so shwiftly ofer der ground; Und Schneider looks back und says, "Goot day!" For now he's more as fife miles away. Shdill jumps dem horses, shdill on dey go, Und der vay dey mofe dot isn'd slow.
Dey're goin' down hill, und fasder und fasder
P
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FOURTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
Dey're drifen ahead by Schneider, der masder,
Who shducks to dem now like a boor man's blaster;
For vell he knows dot if now he's tooked,
He kin make up his mind dot his goose vas cooked; So efery mussels dey pring in blay,
Cause dey ain't no more as den miles avay.
Under dheir flyin' hoofs der road,
Like a grade big mudgutter dot flowed,
Und der flies dot had come all der vay from town Now got dired und had to lay down To took a shmall resd ubon der ground,
For "Schneid" und der vagons, dem vent so fasd
Dot efen der flies gifed oud at lasd.
Der dusd vas dick und der horses gray,
Und Schneider vas fifdeen miles avay! Der wery tirse ding dot Schneider saw
Vas der sand, und he heerd der ocean roar;
He shmelled der salt in der goot olt preeze
Dot vafed ofer vere dere vasn'd gome drees, Und he feld firsd rade mit his mind ad ease, Und dem very horses seemed to say:
"Ve pringed you, Schneider, all dot vay
From Brooklyn town und safed der viskey,
But, upon our words, 'dwas radder risky!" Hurrah! hurrah! for Schneider true,
Hurrah! hurrah! for der horses doo; Und ven der shadurs vas high und dry, Led some pully poy mit a grockery eye
Gid up on der dop of a barrel und gry-
"Dese is der horses dot safed der day By carting der viskey und Schneider gay From Brooklyn-dwendy miles avay!"
At intervals the Glee Club sang "Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are March- ing," "Johnny Comes Marching Home," "John Brown," etc.
Calls were made for the man that could tell the biggest lies, and "Kan- sas Jones" was first to respond. He soon had the audience in a roar of laughter. His remarks were somewhat as follows:
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- I appear before you under very embarrassing circum- stances. I am in a condition similar to the Irishman, who, being shot, was taken to the hospital for the consultation of a doctor. 'I am shot with a ball right through here,' he said, pointing to his heart. The doctor said, 'It cannot be; it would have killed you.' 'That don't make any difference. The ball went through me right here, but at that time my heart was in my mouth.' I am in that condition now; my heart is in my mouth. It seems to me that this camp fire has started out wrong, and this puts me in mind of an Irishman who was walking along with a pitchfork in his hand, and being attacked by a bull-dog pinioned the dog to the ground with the fork. The owner of the dog coming up to him, said: 'What on earth are you doing here? Why didn't you take the other end of the fork?' The Irishman replied: 'Be jabers! Why didn't your dog come at me the other end foremost?' It seems to me that this camp fire has started out the other end first. It puts me in mind of a man in the Second Iowa who was always wanting to invent some- thing. He got a furlough and went to Maine and invented a machine for eating herring. It worked with a crank; had two tubes, one of which was placed in the mouth, the other in a swill-pail. The herring were placed in the hopper, the crank turned and the meat was carried to the mouth, the bones to the swill-pail. It was a success. He sold rights.
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FOURTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
Unfortunately, the first man to whom it was sold was left-handed and when he attempted to use the machine, the meat went to the swill-pail and the bones to his mouth. So many fine bones did he swallow that he could not get his shirt off that night.
"I will tell you, comrades and people, I like this State of Iowa- glorious Iowa !- the best state in the union, except Kansas, and coming before you, called out as the biggest liar. it seems to me that I am in a very embarrassing position, for I want to tell you right now that I was never known to tell a single lie in my life.
"Again I want to tell you I like Maquoketa for receiving us in such a hospitable man- ner. I like the Mayor of Maquoketa for saying the 'city is yours,' and before the boys be- gin to claim the property I want to say that I want that Shetland pony, George B, and cart from the pony farm."
The war did not last long enough to snit him. He started out as a private and was promoted to corporal. Had it lasted until now, and he remained in the service, he might have become Ist lieutenant. "When I reached your city and started toward town, a small boy accosted me with, 'Good morning, Corporal,' and I said I guess now I will stay all day. Going farther, a gentleman greeted me with, 'Good morning. Captain,' and I said I would stay two days. Oa the way to the hotel I was called Colonel and then concluded to stav a week. At the hotel the landlord addressed me as General, and I said I would stay two weeks; I will stay all summer.
"And again I like your city because you have so many beautiful ladies here. As old as I am I know a good looking girl when I see one. I made a bad break this afternoon. I was introduced to a young lady of sweet sixteen, or less, and I said to her-for I did not know what else to say-'How long have you lived here?' 'All my lifetime,' she replied. Having something else in mind, I replied, 'That's a long time, isn't it?'" The young lady became angry at him and he feared she was mad yet. He loves Maquoketa because it is so near "Jon.s" County. "Anything named Jones can be put down as A No. 1. I want to say to this audience that I would rather be here among my old comrades than pay a man $20 for a suit of clothes. I see some here to-day I haven't seen since the war broke out. I will go home from here ten years younger. I will love my wife-I mean my own wife- better for having been here, and I will treat my children better. I am just as young now as I was at the last meeting, two years ago, as ladies who were present then can vouch for."
These reunions renews his youth. He promised the boys to be with them at their next meeting, if alive, and said that he would do some tall kicking against dying. He had intended to take notes while listening to the other speakers and read them off for his speech, but they worked the machine the wrong way on him-calling him up first. He wanted to thank the people of Maquoketa for their greeting and generous reception in his own interest, and more than that, in the interest of his New York brother. He closed with a tender tribute to his old comrades.
The next speaker was the well known lecturer, Col. Sanford. His speech was probably the most finished of the many delivered at the camp fire. He told many interesting war stories and told them as only Colonel Sanford could tell them. He told many stories that were not properly war stories, but they kept the large audience in a perfect uproar just the same. He advised the boy's to stand up for their rights, to say a good word for each other whenever opportunity offered. He believed in telling persons he liked them once in a while when it was true; and he put his advice into practice by paying the boys- his old comrades in arms-a glowing tribute. He thinks the Second Iowa needs no apology. It was made up, not from the rabble, but from the first families of Iowa. He wants to see them con- tinne to stand up for their country.
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FOURTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
He was followed by Tommy Anderson, Curly Jones, Col. Horton, and W. A. Burnap, who read the following original poem which was a feast of fun for all who were present:
BOYS OF THE SECOND IOWA CAVALRY. .
Dear boys of the old Second Cavalry, say, Is there any OLD fellow round with you to-day! There can't be, because if my memory's true, It was yesterday only we won for the blue.
Still, here sits a lawyer, a doctor is there, And a merchant is yonder, a Judge in that chair; A sheriff from Kansas is plain to be seen, And many a "Tot" calls you "Gran'pa" I ween.
But here you're all boys, and in no place around Can a livelier set of young fellows be found; And some of you act so, old crippled up men, We would think you were misbehaved school boys of ten.
Still, boys, you're the same, though now gray and bald, That way back in the days when old Uncle Abe called, Made jokes in your fights, kept your camps full of fun, And still fought for the Flag till the last field was won!
The same, who at Corinth and Coffeyville, too Met the dash of the Gray with the courage of Blue. And "stars" the first in their clusters to match Placed on Sheridan, Elliott and gallant old Hatch!
The same, who in tent, and on march, field or rout, Made the liveliest camp and the jolliest scout; Was the gentlest of nurse and the bravest of foe, In the days so long gone-twenty-five years ago.
Well, may God bless you all, with your silvering hair, May your burdens be light of this world's taxing care, And when "Taps" shall sound, at the end of life's lane, May the grand "Reveille" wake you up still the same!
The hour drawing near to midnight, the great camp fire was left to its embers, not for extinguishment, but like the happy memories of this night, to keep bright the fire of our regimental comradeship until we meet at Iowa City two years hence, when it shall again be fanned into another flame of patriotic and social happiness.
THURSDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 10.
The meeting this morning at Stephens' Opera House was largely at- tended. Many could not even find standing room.
At 10 o'clock a. m. the morning session was called to order by Presi- dent Rumple, after which the comrades jomed in singing "Marching Through Georgia."
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FOURTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT REUNION.
The committee on location made the following report which, upon vote, was carried:
'To the Second Iowa Cavalry Association-Your committee upon loca- tion desires to recommend that the next reunion of the regiment be held in Iowa City, on the second Wednesday and Thursday in October, 1891.
J. S. HERBERT, President.
W. A. BURNAP, Secretary.
The committee on officers reported the following which was adopted:
President-J. K. Wagner.
Vice-President-T. B. Allin.
Secretary and Treasurer-M. Carroll.
Chaplain-J. B. Albrook.
Executive Committee-C. F. Cadle, H. B. Sudlow and Col. Egbert.
President Wagner was called and made remarks thanking the conven- tion for the honor conferred upon him.
Col. Egbert, chairman of the committee on memoriam, presented his re- port as follows:
WHEREAS, We have been called upon to record among our losses since our last reunion the following comrades of the Second Iowa Cavalry: Gen. W. L. Elliott, died at San Francisco, June 29, 1888.
Gen. Edward Hatch, died at Fort Robinson, April 11, 1889.
John C. Welch, Co. C, died in hospital in California.
Robt. M. Treat, Co. F, died in Montana.
Geo. Ledger, Co. G, died in Dayton, Ohio, Sept. 27, 1889.
R. M. Downer, Co. K, died at Denver, Colo.
W. A. Clark, Co. K, died at Danville, Iowa.
Isiah Pilling, Co. K. died at Marshalltown, Iowa.
Blake Fuller. Co. K, died at Smithland.
Levi Pond. Co. G, died at West Liberty.
Resolved. That we will ever cherish the memory of our departed com- rades and endeavor to emulate their virtues. We hope to meet them at the final reunion above.
Resolved, That we extend to the families and friends of our departed comrades our sincere and heartfelt sympathy.
Comrades Canfield and others spoke upon the discipline, goodness of heart and other excellent qualities of Colonels Elliott and Hatch.
The choir sang "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," which was interpreted by Comrade Gillespie in the mute sign language. He is the superintendent of the Deaf and Dumb Institution of Nebraska.
A poem received by Wm. Meyers of the Soldiers' Home, Dayton, Ohio, from his comrade, D. Lutz, of Red Cloud, Nebraska, paying compliments to the bravery of Myers, the "Toad," was read: The following is the poem:
"THEY MEET BUT 'TIS NOT MINE TO MEET THEM."
I.
Yes, they meet, but 'tis not mine to meet them,
Yet thanks that I may send some thoughts to greet them- My comrades of the old Second Iowa Cavaliers-
Meet at Maquoketa as by their notices appears.
--
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FOURTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
II.
Fate seems to move mankind, Not always where they would; But often leaves most anxious ones behind,
And places foremost not the ones it should.
III.
But human eyes seem often blind
To what seems best to the "master mind."
In moral darkness some will grope
For want of faith or use of hope.
IV.
Be it mine to pass with cheer
Along the paths the Master points,
And when I've filled my mission here,
Receive a place with those whom He anoints.
V.
One comrade most I'd love to see-
That plucky "Toad" that stayed by me,
And while I wish all others well, His address me will some one tell?
Col. Mock, of the 9th Illinois Cavalry, gave some touching reminis- censes in the military life of Gen. Hatch, in which he paid this tribute to the General, i. e., that he was the greatest cavalry leader in the Western Army.
The committee on resolutions reported the following which. were adopted:
Mr. President and Comrades of the Second Iowa Cavalry-Your com- mittee on resolutions beg leave to report as follows:
WHEREAS. The Second Iowa Cavalry Association has at our several reunions accomplished a great deal towards cementing in bonds of fraternal affection and love the ties which were wronght and wedded in the fire of battle, and as each successive reunion tends to unite us more closely as one common brotherhood; therefore, be it
Resolved, That we feel it to be the duty of each and every member of the regiment to make all reasonable sacrifices to meet with us at these gath- erings and to keep alive the memories of our associations as soldiers in the late war of the rebellion.
Resolved. That we will ever and always cherish with the profoundest respect and love. the memories of our departed comrades, and that we bury with them any little faults or feelings they may have had and remember them only as martyrs to the cause of Liberty and Union.
Resolved, That we tender our earnest and sincere thanks to the good people of Maquoketa for the manner in which they have received and en- tertained ns during our very pleasant stay among them, and will ever re- member our fourth reunion as one of the most pleasant in the history of our gatherings, and that it was made so by the untiring efforts in our be- half and the many little acts of kindness shown ns by the good and patriotic citizens of Maqnoketa.
JOHN LE TAYLOR, Chairman of Committee.
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FOURTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
Col. Egbert gave a record of the dead of the Second Cavalry who are buried in our National cemeteries, as near as could be ascertained, and which was collected from the records of the cemeteries by Capt. Beeson. They number 150.
On motion of Col. Egbert the Secretary was instructed to incorporate the list in the printed minutes.
Col. Mock gave the Second an invitation to attend the reunion of the 66th Illinois Cavalry next year.
The President, on behalf of the Association, tendered to the officers of the reunion committee the heartfelt thanks of the Second Iowa for their work in making the fourth reunion a success.
On motion the sons and daughters of the members of this organization were made honorary members.
The Association then adjourned and formed in line on Platt and Main Sts. for dress parade and to march to the Odeon for the banquet.
To say that the boys, as old as they are, presented a truly noble ap- pearanc> when formed in line, is to express it tamely. They received many compliments as they marched to
THE BANQUET.
This had been prepared by Maquoketa's generous and loyal citizens, and so elaborate and complete were the preparations that even "Curly" smiled clear to his boots at the first glimpse of the beautiful and well loaded tables. Maquoketa people are a little slow in "getting together" sometimes, but toward the eleventh hour, if not before, they always begin to work together with that harmony and good will which always elicits a hearty "well and nobly done" from guests and spectators, without excep- tion.
The hall was decorated with flags and bunting and appropriate mottos of the war achievements of this regiment were upon the walls. More than three hundred guests were comfortably seated, which included the soldiers and about forty of their sedate and comely wives and pretty daughters. The ladies of Maquoketa who had prepared the repast were on hand to give polite attention to all, and in their kindness of heart allowed none to go from their tables hungry.
The Glee Club occupied seats upon the stage and regaled the company with choice vocal selections.
This was probably the happiest, most satisfactory occasion of the re- union, all things considered. When the cravings of appetite were satisfied, and this required considerable time, the real fun and merriment began. Several appropriate toasts were proposed, and they were responded to in the happiest vein of the ablest, wittiest and brightest of the soldier guests. Col. Sanford paid a tribute to women generally, and especially to the wo- men of war times, which was not only highly pleasing to all ladies present. but equally gratifying to the higher, better type of men who heard him.
Toast-master Rumple called upon Capt. Bell of Co, K and the Captain,
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FOURTH REUNION SECOND IOWA CAVALRY.
a modest man, told of the valor of the Second Iowa and its very high stand- ing in the army. He spoke of one hand-to-hand engagement in which his company took part and of the frenzied madness that possesses men at such times. They used their bayonets and swords and faced death and not a few of his comrades fell wounded or dead. He declared that he never wanted to see any more such fighting.
In response to the toast-"The Old Soldier in Time of Peace," Gen. B. A. Beeson responded as follows:
MR. CHAIRMAN, COMRADES AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- My. remarks will be general and refer only to those of the late war. It is with a heart filled with varied emotions that I greet you in response to the toast, "The Old Soldier in Time of Peace." I look over the faces of this audience and I see men who, with drawn sabers, rode after Gens. Sheridan, Elliott, Sher- man, Hatch and other illustrious leaders, and men who, with firmly grasped muskets, fought beneath Mead, Hancock, Logan and McPherson, and who, combined, made the resistless column of victory that marched under Grant from the beginning to the end in the most eventful war that ever set the banners of liberty high advanced upon the progress road of humanity. I know that as the winters of age are falling upon these heads, there is a spring eternal within their hearts, the ever-flowing fountain of loyalty, whose waters are sweetened by the duties of charity and made brighter by the greetings of fraternity.
I know that the vast audience, not only splendid in its personnel, but - splendid in that which it represents, does not misapprehend its high mis- sion; does not misapprehend that its object in coming here is to add new and ever-living laurels to the brow of the American volunteer soldier wher- ever his name may be borne by the winds around the globe.
It is the wonder of the world that immense armies of veteran soldiers like we had at the close of the civil war could be disbanded at once and that men inured to long service in the field would make peaceable, industrious citizens. The alarm of war found them citizens busily engaged in the em- ployments that many years of peace made possible in our beloved country. The threatenings of wicked men to destroy the government had so long fallen unheeded upon their ears that some said. "This people lack the conr- age and the manhood to resent an insult or defend the heritage of their fathers. But when the first blow was struck by traitor hands and the Chief Magistrate called the citizens to arms, how changed! Then it was that the farmer boys left their homes. the mechanic his shop, the student his books, Organized themselves into companies and regiments, tendered their services as soldiers to their country, and marched to the front with an enthusiasm and determination that astonished the world.
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