USA > Iowa > Cerro Gordo County > Mason City > Reunion of the Second Iowa Cavalry Veteran Association, 1893 > Part 2
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tain, for these officers and their men knew not defeat. Our lines ap- proached the first fort under fire. At the proper time the charge was sounded, and in a few moments Col. Horton with hisregiment and its flag, was in possession of first fort. Hle immediately began forming for the charge and capture of the second fort. John Hartman, of Co. F,
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was stan lard-bearer, and Col. HI. in the excitement of the moment and without thought, snatched the fiag from the hands of the bearer and while waving it called on the men to rally on the colors. Comrade Hart- man loved the flag. and pleadingly asked Horton to give it back to him. A few minutes facer that flag was firmly planted on the ramparts of see- ond fort, with its bearer, lover and defender, dead at its staff !. He had given his comrades an object lesson of devotion to the flag.
The question may properly be asked, What has been gained by the lessons of loyalty taught and the sacrifice made by these men? Let me answer by saying, a union of states indivisible, a uation strong and com- plete. And what of the nation in its entirety? Allow me to answer by comparison, showing the magnificent proportions of our country when compared with that of others. Grecian civilization was wrought out on a smaller territory than the State of lowa. Rome on a smaller territo- ry than Colorado. Egypt on a smaller territory than Dakota. Assyria on a smaller territory than California. Babylon on a smaller territory than Indiana, and all the civilizations of antiquity together on a small- er territory than the state of Texas. What then must be the future of such a country, and what must be the grand proportions of a civilization which demau Is such a continent as this for its areua. Let us consider the capacity of this country for population. There are thirteen times as many inhabitants to the square miles in France as in this country; fifteen timesas many in Germany; seventeen in Italy ; twenty times as mmny in Great Britain ; twenty-two times as many in India, and twen- ty-five times as many in Belgium. If this country were inhabited as thickly as France, all Europe would have to be depopulated for that pur- posso; an I if it were as thickly populated as Belgium, it would depopu- lave the rest of the world in order to furnish the people-showing how gran fly magnificent are the proportions of the arena which by the loy- aity and self-sacrifice of the Union soldier has been saved to future gen- erations, aad upon which, as I believe, God proposes the grandest social problems shall be solved.
Now, sir, by the authority given me by the Second Iowa Cavalry Veteran Association, the members of which were active participants in the great war drama, the results of which gave to this and future gen- erations these vast proportions and possibilities, and for them I thank you, an'I through you the people of this city, for this splendid reception and cordial welcome.
The "Coffee-Cooler" Quartette, of C. H. Huntley Post, consisting of Comrades II. I. Smith, S. H. Butterbaugh, Alba Miller and W. A, Bur- nap, then brought down the house, and encore, by singing "We Old Boys, with walk around chorus.
Comrade John Lu Taylor, of Co. M, now residing in Salt Lake City, then ren lered a fine recitation, which was warmly applauded.
Comrade Will. Ed. Tucker, of Company I, was next called, and in words of carnest eloquence. briefly addressed his old comrades of '61 to '65. It had been his one paramount desire, the wish of his heart ever since the war closed, to have his old regiment hold a reunion in Mason
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' City. That desire was now being gratified ; but iu looking into the faces of the old boys before him, he noted with regret the absence of a number of the dear old comrades who were with us at the last reunion, and who had been expected at this meeting. Among this num- ber, and most regretted of all, was our loved old Commander, GEN. DATUS E. COON, who, from his far away home on the Pacific coast, had been, at the last mo- ment, obliged to send his regrets at being unable to be with us. - But, as the next best substitute for his living presence, comrade VTV Theker was happy in being able to present, appropriately draped in " Old Glory," a magnificent life-size bust likeness of the old Hero, Gen'l Coon-loaned for the occasion by a sister of the Gen'l, Mrs. H. G. Parker, of this city. WILL .. ED. TUCKER, COMPANY "L" As the well known features were unveiled, a swell of enthusiastic, thrilling applause went up from the warm-hearted comrades, well at- testing their love for absent Commander.
W. E. Ensign, of Mason City then sang in fine voice a grand solo, "Who'll Save the Left?" a piece that awakened in the minds of the boys the thrilling scenes of long ago.
Then was introduced that well preserved specimen of the happy trooper, Comrade H. E. Jones, ("Curley") of Co. I, whose home is in El- mira, N. Y., and after a brief witty preface he brought down the house with rounds of applause for his
" BOOTS AND SADDLES."
"Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine, and when men have well drunk. then that which is worse" -- 10th verse, 2nd chap- ter of the Gospel according to St. John. The Second Towa Cavalry Vet- eran Association, following the custom in vogue so many years ago and recorded in holy writ, at the beginning set forth good wine -native and foreign wine. And now that men are well drunk, with " feast of reason and flow of soul, " they offer you "that which is worse, " and to me, who would fain press to your lips "nectar fit for the gods, " is assigned the duty of offering you this inferior wine.
The combination of boots, saddles and horse constitute what is call- ed in cavalry and equestrian parlance a "mount. "-but do not think be- cause I have quoted scripture to yon that I am going to give you a "Ser- mon on the Mount."
Unlike the gentlemen who have preceded me. I am obliged to bring
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my thoughts to you on paper. Were I a lawyer, or a doctor, or a minis- ter, this need not be. I came near being a lawyer, but I reformed in time. How a man who is scarred by bullet and sabre as I am can relate a three years' service in ten minutes' time, passes my comprehension. When I mentioned this to the committee they told me in tones that could not be misunderstood that they thought I could relate my experi- ence in less than ten minutes. I have had some experience with "boots and saddles." I have been worn by both ; I have been lace rated in feelings, in flesh by both, and a burnt child is said to dread the fire, by reason of physical pain en lared, so I, on the same principle,, even after thirty years have elapsed, dread "boots and saddles. " A vivid but com- ie il rec affection comes to me in regard to this subject, the midnight at- tack by the enemy. While we were enjoying the sleep of the just and virtuous the sharp bugle caff of "Boots and Saddles, " the rushing about of four men in each of the small, dark tents, the hurried doming of clothes, the first they can lay hands on, the buckling on of the sabre belt with cartridge box and revolver, the grasping of trusty carbine, the low but eager command of the Orderly Sergeant as he passes from tent to tent, "Saddle up, bays, saddle up;" the rush to the saddle rack and to the picket rope -when from a tent comes the voice of some laggard, in "Who in h-it's got my boots on?" The average government cavalry boot was never troabled with "fits, " they were large enough for the lar- gest man and small enough for the smallest boy.
With my sa ddle I formed a very close" attachment. When I en- tered the service in the summer of 1861. I was very much like unto a lo- ennotive engine -with a tender behind." Among the first things they gave me was a "MeClellan" saddle, and Oh, how many times I wishel Mr. MeClellan hat his old saddle! I would have been willing even to have given it to Gen. Pope for his headquarters. It was made of hard wood. cushioned with raw-hide stretched tightly over its sur- face-"only this and nothing more." I have often after a day's ride of two or three hundred miles, or less, on that saddle (hunting rebels that were not lost) felt so much a part and parcel of that saddle that I found it very difficult to part with it; the separation if not affecting was quite painful, perhaps not to the saddle. One day I was relieved of much Physical suffering of this nature. I had purchased a bottle of whiskey to be used as a liniment on my horse, which was suffering from rhenma- tism, heart disease and chronic diarrhoea. I had just dismounted for the parpoose of applying a little more of the remedy when my captain came along, and after confiscating my medicine, (he said his horse was troubled with the same disease) he ordered me to practice infantry tac- ties by taking up a line' of march in the rear of a baggage wagon, oue end of said line' being hitched to the wagon and the other end tied to me. I should not have minded this so much and could have forgiven his ru leness to a free-born American citizen, but it agalled" me to have that Melellan saddle taken from my horse and transferred to my back, for I was a brave soldier, and could not bear anything so suggestive of the "rear."
As the years of the war rolled on there came a hardness of feeling between me and my saddle, a "callous" feeling. so to speak, which by the way served me a good turn one night after the war, when the fath- er of the girl I was courting followed me rather too closely for comfort as I hastily took my departure from his home by the front door, the re- sult of my long close intimacy with my saddle alleviated in some degree the suffering resulting from a close intimacy with a "boot."
Closely identified with "boots and saddles" comes that "imwept.
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unhonored and unsung" hero of the war, the cavalry horse, indispensible in the prosecution of the war, he performed ms humble services without complaining, and that his sufferings were as great if not greater than that of his rider, and that he laid down his life just as willingly when occasion required, is well known to every veteran. Go back as far in history as we may, we find a note of the noble deeds and heroic achieve- ments of horses in war. In a cursory sketch of this kind we can only make mention of a few equine celebrities which have achieved world- wide fame. The "Arabian, " known as the "fleet wings of the desert." The "wild horse of Tartary"-of circus fame. The "wooden horse" of ancient Troy. The sky-climbing "Pegassus" of the Arabian Nights, to say nothing of the livery-horse, the clothes-horse, the saw-horse, and "horse-and-horse." There was a breed known to army contractors as "any-kind-of-a-horse." This was the animal usually furnished the cav- alry. They were marked with the contractor's initials, U. S., which meent "Ungodly Shmer." "There was a horse to be met with in the in- fantry camps ; he was tall and gaunt, he received no rations or forage from the Quartermaster ; he never ate. I have seen five or six men mounted on such a horse at one time, their ancles tied together to pre- vent them from dismounting without orders, while a guard walked to and fro near by to see that they rode properly. I had several horses in the war, but the horse that I liked the best was the "horse that smelled the battle afar off"-the farther the better. The cavalry horse was not appreciated in camp. The time and trouble expended in his care, which was a compulsory duty and consumed much valable time that might otherwise have been devoted to a quiet game of " draw, " was a constant source of disgust to his fellow sufferer, the soldier. In consequence be acquired so many appellations, rendered forcible by adjectives of brini- stone hue, as to render his identity a matter of speculation even to him- self. It was on the long marches that his value was recognized ; then it was woe to the man that did not cherish his horse as the apple of his eye, for a cruel, vigilant, relentless enemy was ever hovering in the rear of the marching column. In sounding the praises of the cavalry horse we must not forget his brother of the artillery, or his long-eared cousin on the mother's side, the "brevet horse" of army wagon rame ; his reke tive, the "jackass, " was not a war necessity, although he was ably rep- resented on numerous occasions, even to the extent of commanding a company, a regiment or a brigade. Sometimes a war horse is called a "charger. " I had a charger once. He charged a whole battery, entire- ly without orders. In fact I did all in my power to prevent him; ffeit sorry for my noble charger, for the never came back. " I have seen lots of cavalry charges-in the illustrated papers. But there was a being iu
the army that could out-charge a " charger." It was the "Sutler." He charged me three dollars once for a bottle of whiskey, small bottle at that. There was a bond of fellowship between a cavalryman and his horse, cemented by their constant companionship and mutual suffering. My horse and I had many things in common. He never shirked his du- ty; neither did I. He was never looking for a detail as company elerk; neither was I. He joined the service expecting all the stern' realities of war; so did I. He never went to the rear when the battle was on. to see if the chaplain had a letter for him; neither did I. When he enlist- ed he did not jump any bounties ; neither did I. When the war was over he did not expect any pension ; alas! neither do I. He did not tear himself away from his best girl, leaving with her his tin-type, with a background of dismantled guns and flags, and a foreground of dead gen- erals in full uniforms, as I did, only to find on my return that she had married a fellow who staid at home. He received a grooming twice a
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day; well, mine would average that-that was when the captain would comb me down. I would often share with him my ration of corn or beans, and he would as willingly share with me his ration of hay ; but we never "drank from the same canteen"-he belonged to the temper- ance society. There was this difference between us. that while the dumb animal received only his rations of forage for his services, with perhaps a hotle Imimeat thrown in now and then for his off hind spavin, the " human animal" received, besides his forage, $13 a month for stop- ping rebel bullets.
The "history of the war" is nearly all written, but while the broken and wavering ranks of the veterans are slowly but surely closing up to- wards the great unknowa, the stories of the field and camp lose notning of their interest, not to mention the improvements and additions wro't i ito them by the play of vivid imaginations all down through these many years.
I call to mind memories dim and shadowy of stories told me in my childhood days by survivors of our Revolutionary struggle, and can real- ize that as in the child's hearts o. those days. So now the plastic mind of the rising generation receives its inspirations of patriotism while lis- toning in awe stricken wonder to the rehearsal of its veteran sires. So, in the long winter evenings, when at my humble hearthstone Ilight my pip . and surround the cheerful blaze of the kerosene stove, and the lit- ue toldiers haag aroun I my chair, wrapt in attention to those stirring tales of war, their wide open eyes see plainly in the curling wreaths of smoke the fields of deadly carnage where I waded knee deep in blood up to the very months of the belching cannon. My guns that gave voice to the continuous roar of musketry that I poured into the enemy's ranks; the flash of the pistols that I drew (m a lottery), and the seintillating sparks from my sword, as it sprang from its scabbard, and swung from my arm of iron in dazzling cire.es decapitated whole platoons of the en- eny's chivalry. The faith in my prowess cannot be shaken, and they firmly believe that the destiny of this nation rested on me alone. and that hal the teader of my services been overlooked by Mr. Lincoln the war would have been a failure and as innocent of gore and no more .ex- citing than a militia training. The egnine constituent of war times is no more; even its bones that for many years marked in gleaming white the battle lines and strewed the roadways of advancing and retreating hosts for miles and miles, a monument shocking to the sensibilities as commemorative to the brutal cruelty of war are seen no more.
We can never forget the soldier heroes with whom we touched el- bows, who are gone; and as year by year our footsteps growing less firm lead us nearer and nearer to them, and more tender grows the senti- ment which prompts us to scatter flowers upon their graves-let us give passing thought and drop a tear in memory of the patient dumb hero who also gave his strenth and life "that the nation might live." May there be no cruel bits or spurs, no lariats or picket ropes - no " boots and sa ldles" in the horse heaven where he is at rest ; may he enjoy full measures of grain and roam at will in pastures that are green and fresh forever."
As the applause which followed this paper subsided, Mrs. J. E. Moore, in fine voice and impressive manner sang "VIVE LA AMERICA, " eliciting hearty applause.
Comrade Will. Ed. Tucker, then by request, in graphic manner re-
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told the "Sock Coffee" story, which was received with much laughter and applause.
Then came the address of the evening, by Col. C. C. Horton, one of the most eloquent, loyal and foreible speeches ever heard in this city.
COL. HORTON'S ADDRESS. Mr. President, Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen:
When I was notified by our Secretary a few days since that I must be prepared to make a short talk on this occasion, I begancastingabout for a subject, and it occurred to me that at this time, waen there is such a general discussion of pension matters i general and of pensioners in particular, and that too in a spirit that oftea reflects upon the nohor and patriotism of every true sokner, and when so many of our conmades have received notice that their pension stands suspended until they shall again show their rights thereto, it would be in order for us to de- vote a few moments to the consideration of the subject.
While much of this adverse criticism is inspired by that same spir- it of disloyalty that led these traducers to oppose every new measure looking to the triumph of the union army durmg the late war; who have now turned with all the old-time venom to the abuse of the union vete- ran, who saved the nation in spite of their opposition. It is also true that very many of those who have joined in one hue and ery against our pensioners have been led to do so through a nusapprehension or mistil- derstanding of the pensioners and workmgs of the peaston laws, antig- norance as to the close scrutiny and critical examination to when the claimant and his testimony is subjected before his cian can be ad- mitted.
The Pension System of the U. S. was inaugurated as early as June 26, 1776, when by resolution of the Continental Congress, provision was made for such of our soldiers as should become disabled during the Rev- olutionary War, and this system, thus early inauguratel. of caring for our country's defenders, has grown in its provisions by additional leges- lation as the times and public sentiment have seemed to demand, until it now stands as the prondest monument of a Nation's gratitudle.
Under the provisions of what is known as the General Pension Law, all, honorably discharged union soldiers who are pontnicht- ly disabled to a pensionable degree by reason of woun Is. injury or dis- case ineurred in service, or in fine of duty, or who suffer from disease or disability which can be accepted as the patheological sequence of wound, injury or sickness contracted in ervice and line of duty, if they be able to establish origin in service, existence at, and contmuanee since dis- charge, are entitled to a pension ranging from $2 to $72 per month.
Under the Act of '62, a rating of total disability. gives to an calist- ed man $8 per month. 2nd lieut. $15, Ist. Heut. $17. capt. $20, major $25, lieut. colonel and all above that rank $30 per month; and this is the only class wherin distinction is made on account of rank.
Under the Act of June 27th, 1890, all honorably discharged soldiers who served for 90 days and are suffering by reason of mental or physical disability, not the result of their own viejous habits, even though such disability has been incurred since service, are entitled toa pension rang- ing from $5 to $12 per month.
This is a brief statement as to the general pension laws personally affecting soldiers.
For convenience and system in adjudication, the Pension Office has
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arranged different disabilities into grades; and congress has by special legislation made specifie ratings for specific disabilities, such as loss of one or both hands, or arms, one or both feet, or legs, loss of both eyes, one or more fingers. Total in Ist grade gives $72, and the disability must be equivalent to loss of both eyes, or both feet, or hands. Total in 2nd gra le gives $15 per month, and the disability must be toss of arm above cibow, or leg above knee, or a disability equivalent thereto; while total in 3rd grade gives $30 for loss of hand or foot. Specific disabilities are used asa measure by which to rate other disabilities.
The term "total disability, " as used by the pension bureau, is mis- leading, and is, I believe. responsible for much of the reckless talk and sweeping emeg's of fraul so prevalent at this time. One of your sol- dier acquaintances is, you learn, receiving a pension of $$ per month for total disability. You see him every day, and know that he performs a Very considerable amount of labor, and believing that total disability means that he is entirely disabled to perform manual labor. You natu- raby coachrle that there is something wrong, and you begin to de- noudes him as a fraud. Now, as a matter of fact, total in this case does not mean totals uanole to labor. bat is used simply to denote a certain degree of disability in the different grading. For instance, total in ist gra le meaas much more than inability to labor, it means help- besinos. requiring the services of an attendant. Total in 2nd grade mas loss of an arm ab we elbow, or an equivalent disability; white to- i . in Bad gra le is for loss of hall or foot, or some disability equivalent thereto. And this, you know, would not reader certain kinds of labor impossible. So you see how casily one may make a mistake in this m.t.er.
In rating a disability the question is not, how much labor does the soldier actually perform? but rather is such labor performed at a disad- vantage and if so, at how great a disadvantage? . To illustrate : I once know a soldier who had lost his left arm, and yet, with an axe made to order, he could and did with his good right arm, cut more wood than th : average man could accomplish: aad yet I think no one would deny his right to the specific rating for loss of arm. Again, there are obscure disabilities of which even intimate friends may have no knowledge .--- This class of pensioners perhaps suffer from unjust criticism more than any other.
A few years since I was called in my official capacity as Special Ex- aminer of the Pension Office, to a town in central Ils. I had been at the hotel bat a short time when I was called upon by three representa- t.ve men of the plac >, who called my attention to what they were pleas- ed to call a flagrant case fraud. A soldier was drawing a pension who was in no way disabled. When asked as to the nature of the disability for which pensioned, they were not able to say. but were ready to swear that he was a fraud. Just then the soldier was pointed out as he cross- ed the street, giving me a good view of his face. Turning to his accus- ers I said: "Gentlemen, from my knowledge of human nature I do not believe this soldier would swear to a lie for a pension, and I also read in his proud and determined bearing an effort to keep from limping." .. Yes, but we know he is a fraud, and want you todo your duty." "Tak- ingone of them by the arm. and calling on the others to follow, I led the way to the office of the Secretary of the Board of Examining Sur- geons. Introducing myself. I asked him if he had examined this sol- dir. By reference to his records it appeared that he had been wound- el in both thighs, that gangrene had set in, and the muscles of both legs were almost gone. "Doctor. is that record correct?" "What do you
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mean by asking such a question? Are you here to investigate this claim?" I repned, "No, sir; but here are three of your citizens who are ready to swear that he is a fraud. " Turning on them with a mighty oath, "You have wronged a man who stands head and shoulders above you all, and you have accused the medical examiners of being rasca.s and untrue to their trust. ' Then the three declared that they would not sieep until they had begged the man's pardon for the great wrong they had done him.
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