USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Reunion of the Second Iowa Cavalry Veteran Association, 1895 > Part 2
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be just as glad to meet ns as though we had been men of his own command. After talking a few moments he took us and introduced us to several different parties and arranged for a dinner together at two p. m We then went over on the river front, spent about an hour looking at the changes that had taken place.
Memphis bas grown wonderfully. It is a beautiful city of homes. At nine p. m. we boarded the train for Holly Springs, and at that place we bade each other good bye. And to show you the difference between the way things are run down there and in the north; I boarded the Illinois train and came by Way of Chicago and arrived at home six hours earlier than Mac got home and he did not have half so far to go.
After the descriptive talk of Gen Beeson who is at all times listened to with interest, the reading of absent comrades' letters was brought up and on motion of W A. Burnap the secretary was instructed to publish such as he felt should be incorporated in the minutes.
Then was sung by the Glee Club "We old boys" and "John Brown," the 1 comrades joining on the chorus. *
Comrade H. W. Todd, now of Denver, Colo., was called out. Said he was not present at last meeting but to make all things equal brought his wife with him this time. Related an incident of comrade Bulla at the time he was wounded and although badly wounded when he found him Bulla asked him at once for a chew of tobacco, Every person seems to have heard of the 2d Iowa Cavalry and all speak of it in the highest terms. The reason of this is we were a good regiment, that is the secret of our name Our conunanding officers had a peculiar faculty of becoming generals; we have a record on that line. Told many incidents of army life, all of which were interesting, as comrade Todd is an interesting talker.
ED. JONES, OF KANSAS,
said. "My wife requested me not to make a fool of myself at this reumon. I promised I would not and kept that promise until I crossed the Missouri river at Kansas City and then I began to fail and now I am myself again. I wanted to go to Mason City and cried, yes, cried like a child, because I could not It was the hongs of Gen. Coon, Theker, Burnap and his ten acres of grapes. am glad we were a cavalry regiment. The man who never saw a dead cavalry- man never got near enough the front. Why, cavalrymen died and evaporated before many infantry regiments got up. I am glad I belong to a 'regiment that can hold a reunion in the city of Des Moines where saloons are in abundance without a drunken soldier. We are going one by one but boys it is all right God is merciful to the old soldiers. I hope this session of the reunion will close without any more of the Jones family being called ont." Ed Jones is al ways received by the old regiment with applause.
LIEOT. J. H. FREEMAN.
"I can say with all others I am proud of the old Second lowa Cavalry. I live in Ohio and go where you will our regiment is well spoken of. It has a
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splendid record " He spoke with much feeling of the mothers who gave their sons to their country. Also spoke of the fact of so many of the old regiment being young men in '61. The comrades were all glad to meet and greet Lieut Freeman
Comrade "Curly" Jones of Elmyra, N Y. related some very interesting and laughable stories about army life
T. T. Anderson spoke earnestly of the splendid life and character of Captain F. M. Griffith, of Co. D, who died since the meeting at Mason City, when the meeting adjourned until evening.
WEDNESDAY, 8 P. M.
The principal camp fire of the reunion was opened by the Glee Club singing that old war song, "The Battle Cry of Freedom," followed with prayer by Chaplain Albrook. President Bell then introduced Mayor Hillis of Des Moines who delivered the following beautiful address of welcome.
MAYOR HILLIS' ADDRESS.
Surviving Members of the Second Iowa Cavalry :- It is with great pleas- ure that I greet you tonight in behalf of our beautiful city. It may seem a slight thing to the careless observer to read in the daily newspapers accounts of regimental reunions; but the thoughtful man knows that the day is not far distant when in all the broad land there will not be one veteran left to tell the story of the war. I am glad so many old soldiers are here tonight to partici-
pate in this reunion If there is one thing more than another I regret it is that I was not born about twenty years earlier that I too might have worn the blue and marched to battle under the stars and stripes. The Second lowa Cavalry has just cause for pride in its past for no regiment that ever marched out of our loyal state exceeded you in bravery and heroism, or surpassed you in des- perate courage in the midst of battle. I need not rehearse to these assembled veterans the story of Corinth's siege, the gallant charge at Farmington, the strategic move at Booneville, where you got behind Beauregard so skillfully and destroyed a train load of rebel ammunition, nor that other Booneville vic- tory where under the leadership of plucky Phil Sheridan you routed six confed- . erate regiments and crowned yourselves with glory. I need not mention the memorable march to the sea nor the many other mighty deeds of daring and conquest you took part in for there are men here who were there and who help- ed do it all, men who are loaded to the muzzle with reminiscences of these stir- ring events and who do not want to discharge spent balls as would be the case if I camped too long within their picket lines.
Last week I went through the Soldiers' home at Marshalltown. I saw hoary headed men creeping about with the aid of cane or crutch, wrecks of men, maim- ed crippled and suffering. I was told of the 381 soldiers in the home 70 were in the hospital all the time and I am sure I saw as many as seventy more lying on their cots in the numerous pleasant bed rooms. There was in every face the lines of pain. Every man there had left health and youth and hope behind -had parted from home and family and friends Ile had only memory left, but what a memory -- of duty done, of loyal patriotism, of doing and daring which earned him the right to be called a hero, which earned him a Nation's gratitude; an asylum in a comfortable home, the respect of his contemporaries and the reverence of his posterity.
Patriotism is an American characteristic. When the sturdy pioneer first
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built his humble cabin in the unbroken forest, gathered the first little harvest into his storehouse, defended his home and his family from the savage enemy of the new country and his manhood, his conscience and his liberty from his mercenary though royal enemy in the old world he felt grow up in his bosom a love of country never felt before. The new land could claim his every alle- giance and the best heritage he left to his children was this same patriotism which in 1861 called to the defense of our Union the very flower of American manhood.
The gallant soldier heard the call of duty and he obeyed. He folded the dear young wife to his bosom, pressed a kiss upon the brow of the innocent babe gave a loving farewell to mother or sweet heart, and not knowing whether he would ever return to them or not, he hastened to the field of war. By and by the newspapers were filled with news of battle, with long columns of dead and wounded and missing. Months and years went on and at last the war was over. In every city, town and hamlet were men who because of their service to their conntry were no longer able to care for themselves. Kind hearts ached for their distress. Men as wise as generous heard the cry of distress and the thought came that " if our hero soldiers gave their youth and strength to save the Nation, the Nation will care for them in their weakness and old age."
Loyal statesmen perfected the pension system which has been the just re- ward and the needed support of so many Union veterans. Of late the enemy has " held the fort" at Washington and as many an old comrade knows to his sorrow, the supplies have been cut off. But justice, though blind, is not asleep und in 'a few brief months she will resume her sway. The scales of justice will be better balanced after 1896. The loyalty and devotion and self-sacrifice of the Union Soldier will weigh so heavy that it will take an overflowing measure of gold to balance it And our leaders will let ic overflow until some of the shining metal shall flow into your pockets to secure to your old age the needed comfort you well deserve
Such meetings as this serve to keep alive the memory of your individual share iu the war. By and by no one will be left to tell the part each one of you took. History will relate how the Second Iowa Cavalry won this battle or routed that force, how many men were lost and how many were taken prisoners; but the gallant part that each individual man who is here tonight played on the great stage of war will be buried in oblivion . Let me impress on you, my old .soldier friends, the importance of leaving your personal record behind you. Think how proud I should be, for instance, if my great grandfather had left for me a record of how he resigned a high position in the English army, cast off bis al- legance to the British Crown, and enlisted with the Colonists and fought for the independence of our country throughout the revolutionary war. After a while your children and grandchildren, and their children and grandchildren, will treasurer the old brass buttons, all the battered relics of the war-time and repeat to their children the stories about your part in the struggle they remem- ber You have not much to do, many of you, or if you have you can still find time to do this duty. Get a strong blank book and good ink and write out an account of your experience in the war from first to last. Give it to that child or relative who takes the greatest interest in it and who would be the most likely to preserve it and impress him with its value as a family treasure. All over our land people are reading up on their family history, all eager to prove descent from a Revolutionary soldier, all want to be a Son of the Revolution and the ladies are very proud of their Daughters of the Revolution clubs. So after a time people will be proud to be descended from a loyal Union soldier. Let the decendent, of the Second Iowa Cavahy have the records for the days that are to come.
The fighting qualities of the American soldier have been fully demonstrated. The world stood aghast thirty odd years ago at the fearful carnage, the whole- sale slaughter, where brother fought against brother, each determined to con-
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quer the other or die. The North with coolness, determination, and long in heritance of martial blood in its veins, with a patriotism which was burning at a white heat leaped to arms at the threat of secession. The South hot blooded, impulsive, with soklier ancestry also to urge to deeds of valor, were quick to clash arms with their brother foemen and there confronted each other such armies as the world never saw before. In any other nation such a victory as at Vicksburg would have ended the struggle. England bowed in allegiance after a single Hastings. Austria at Austerlitz and France at Waterloo. We had a score of Hastings, a hundred Waterloos, where the death rate was greater and the wreck and loss more severe; but, unlike our cousins across the sea, the American soldier whether of North or South would not acknowledge he was whipped. Each great defeat was to them but a single round of the fight and not until fifty per cent, and some times more, of the men were ruthlessly cut to pieces, not until food and forage were exhausted, did even the thought of surrender enter the proud rebellious heart of the Secessionists. Never was a war fought where the men were more thoroughly matched. The soldiers of each army from officer to the humblest private fought for principle as he un- derstood it, not at the will of prince or kings as in foreign lands You had an enemy to confront worthy of your steel; and of all the deeds of daring, of cool- est judgment, of cunning strategy, of bravest heroism, none excelled the deeds and daring of the noble men of the Second lowa Cavalry. There are men here tonight who participated in all these stirring events and we of the later genera tion. are honored whenever the opportunity comes, as it does tonight, to clasp hands with the men who followed our starry flag through struggle after strug- gle, followed it until the last great victory was won, until it was nothing but a tattered, faded rag, but dearer to them, and to every loyal heart, than the brightest silken banner of any other nation.
Des Moines is the heart of lowa, not geographically alone but in that broader sense which means that she reaches out her maternal arms and would gather to herself to hold in loving keeping everything that needs fostering care or room and opportunity and encouragement for larger development. She stands ever ready with arms wide open to receive and welcome the soldier citizens. Her magnificent capitol enshrines their trophies of war. Only a year ago you fol- lowed the old battle flags for the last time. Only a year ago these sacred flags, tattered and soiled, faded and worn, were borne to their last resting place by the brave Iowa boys who had followed where'er they led. You saw them laid away in safety, the choicest treasures of all the historic relics in our beautiful capitol. On the hill side near by, as though a sentinel just without the gates, stands the lowa Soldiers' Monument. These are the Meccas of the lowa , veteran's pilgrimage. You will come occasionally while life endures and drink great dranghits of patriotism at the very sight of them. You will tell your children and your children's children the story of their conquests. Des Moines is proud of her trust. She is honored by their presence. She is honored by your presence. She is proud at all times to receive and entertain the Union veteran and tonight in the name of our progressive and patriotic citizens I bid the soldiers of the Second Iowa Cavalry a hearty welcome to our beautiful city, its happy homes and its most cordial hospitality.
Col. Horton in one of his best efforts responded to the address of welcome as follows:
COL. HORTON'S RESPONSE.
Mr. President, Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen :- ) appear before you tonight in a new role, that of a substitute, a drafted man, to fill the place of an absent comrade.
Now Mr. President it was agreed some weeks since that because of the con . dition of my throat, I was to give a five minute talk in response to a toast at
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our banquet and was not to be subject to any other detail. But things are re- versed, and I find that the boys I used to command now command me, and I can but obey.
Mr. Mayor, I am commissioned by my comrades of the Second lowa Cavalry to say a few words in response to the very cordial welcome we have received at your hand ;. And Sir, allow me to say from the standpoint of one who was with the regiment from first to last that as eloquent and as generous as ha, been your misure of praise they are worthy of it all. I have seen them tried under all circumstances and never did I see them fahrer in the hour of trial or shrink from doing their full duty. We claim no, gre tter measure of merit than is due to any and every regiment thit triel to do, its whole duty
We left happy homes and loved ones, so dil they; we suffered privations and hardships, so did they; we left our dead upon many butle fields, so did they; we have tried to do our duty as citizens of this republic, so have they. And now Mr. Mayor, for my conta les I ten ler you theair thanks. a soldiers thanks; for the hospitality and kindness we have received from the city over which you have the honor to preside, again we thank you.
Mr. Presilent [ dem it no slight honor to stand in this magnificent pres- ence of veterans and their true and local friend ;of this the Capital City of Iowa; but more than all Iam proud and happy that I am once more permitted to meet an I to greet so many of in; gallant comrades of the grand old regiment. Nest to the love and affections for my own family, my heart and sympathies go out to you my comrades of '61 and '65, as to no one else on earth. We are bound together by no common tie, bonds born under the mystie influence of comrad- ship growing stronger and stronger amidst the trials and hardships of camp and field, and welded into bands of finest steel under the white heat of con- ilict .
These reunions of our regiment are bright spots, once in my life and yours and we all return to ont homes younger, stronger and with greater courage to renes the battle of lite.
Commandes I look into your brave and honored faces, the memory of your gallant deeds, sacrifices and great services rendered our loved land comes crowding back upon me; and now your services blending and mingling with that of the G. A R. and I see a Union preserved; a nation saved; three million bondsmen freed; a united prosperous and a happy people; a nation proud and self reliant; a flag triumphant. respected and feared by all civilized nations; and I catch the echoing hueczas as the blue and gray rally around her standard as they vie with each other in doing her honor. Yes boys you have a right to be proud of your army record. proud of your services as citizens of our great re- public. proud of your true Americanism
At the close of the late war great fears were expressed in certain quarters lest the returning soldier should turn bandit and prove a menace to government and to the peace and happiness of the people. They forgot that the best blood of the land coursed through the veins of the boys who carried the masket and swung the sabor; and that the men who had, by their fidelity and courage, saved a nation, would prove entirely competent and safe to take charge of the affairs of state in times of peace.
Every reunion such as this, every camp fire, every State or National Encamp- ment of the G A R has proved to be a veritable school of true patriotism and of stalwart Americanism. By and through the influence of the (i. A. R. and its loyal auxuleries, a flag floats from nearly every school house in the land, booth North and South, and the children are taught to salute, revere and love old glory.
Yes my comrades, you who rode with the gallant Hatch in that desperate charge at Farmington; and with him stormed and carried the first redoubts at Nashville; you who were with Grant at Donolson and at Shilo; you who were with Sheridan when he won his first star, or swept with him up Missionary
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Ridge; you who stood so grandly with the Rock of Chickamauga, on that bloody field; you who climed the rocky sides of Lookout, and fought with Hooker above the clouds; you who marched with Sherman to the sea; you who were with Mead and Hancock, and by your sublime courage, aye by your bloo 1, rent a rift in the black paul of overhanging clouds, so that the nation, yes the world canght a glimpse of the glory of the coming of the Lord, at Gettysburg, wrought more than to save the Union, more than to redeem the nation, more than to free the bondsmen, more than to win immortal fame and glory for American soldiery. You stood before the world a grand example of courageous, self-sacrificing manhood, as heroes who could forget self in a common peril, and who did not refuse to die, if need be, for their country, and for humanity. And thus you answered that vexed question, propounded in the Garden of Eden. and which has come rolling down the centuries; "Am I my brother's keeper." And the answer, save by and through the influence of the man of Gallalee, has generally been in the negative, but your answer, in view of your sacrifices for others has been, "Yes I am, you are, your brothers keeper." And this answer, ringing and reverberating along the lines of our great industries, is reaching the ears of the employers of labor everywhere, "Yes. verily you are your brother's keeper," and you are responsible in a great measure before God and man for the welfare and happiness of those in your employ, and you have no moral right to grind their wages down below a living rate, even though starving hu- manity will accept of less.
After the surrender at Appomatox you caught the sentiment and echoed the immortal words of our great commander, "Let us have peace," and resulting from this spirit, so nobly seconded by the gallant boys in gray, we have the grand spectacle lately presented at Louisville and upon the battle-fields of Chickamauga and Chattanooga. This mingling together in fraternal comrad- ship of the blue and gray can find no parallel in the history of the world. No- where could such long-time enemies meet upon such a cordial footing save in Glorious America, "The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave."
Verily the influence and example of the Union soldier has ever been for our country's good, for the uplifting and happiness of humanity, and for a recogni- tion of the common brotherhood of man. And for all this you have a Lochran and a Hoke Smith.
Following this response a solo was sung by Mr. Garnet Hedge entitled, "The Pardon Came Too Late," which was well rendered.
Miss Anna B. Borschel, a daughter of Adam Borschel of Co. H, gave a reci- tation on the "Battle of Shiloh," which gave proof of her splendid elocutionary powers. The sentiment was full of patriotism, descriptive of that awful battle. We failed to procure the production for publication, but those who listened to her voice did so with more than ordinary interest.
A solo was sung here by Mrs. Jesse Cheek, entitled "When I'm big I'll be a Soldier." She is a most beautiful singer.
Comrade Rev. B. F. Diffenbacher was introduced and spoke of the organ- ization of Co. A, by Gen. Ed. Hatch; talked of army life, its duties and results and also gave at some length his experience with Gen. Forest after the close of the war, reading a letter from the old rebel general in which he stated his faith and belief in the christian religion. The comrades felt that it was scarcely pos- sible for a man to enjoy the bliss of heaven who had bossed the massacre of
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Ft. Pillow Comrade Diffenbacher not having his talk in manuscript we failed to get it for the Minutes.
Following this was the first experience in war of Comrade H. E. Jones or "Curley" as he is known to the regiment. His memoirs in part are as fol lows:
H. E. JONES.
I enlisted in Co. "I" 2d Jowa Cavalry in August, 1861, for the period of three years or during the war We left our rendevous at Davenport. Iowa, on the 7th of December for St. Louis, Mo., where we drew our arms consisting of Colt's revolving rifle [ five shots], sabre and revolver, having previously drawn our horses and equipments at Davenport. We remained at St. Louis, until the 17th of February, or about two months, perfecting ourselves in the manual of arms, both mounted and dismounted. On that date we left St. Louis for Birds Point, Mo., and from there to New Madrid. This point ours, Island No. ro became untenable and was soon evacuated also On the 12th of April the Mississippi river being now open as far south as Fort Pillow, and Memphis, Tenn., we, in common with the "Army of the Mississippi", moved down the river on transports for the purpose of the reduction of those two points. On the 17th of April we were ordered back and thence up the Tennesce river 1o Hamburg Landing, a few miles above Pittsburg Landing, where had been fought the battle of Shiloh. We now formed a part of the grand army under Gen. Halleck, which was investing Corinth, Miss. We were still under Gen Pope who commanded Halleck's left wing.
On the evening of April 27, 1862, we were ordered to "saddle up light" at 4 o'clock the next morning. Up to this time we had not seen a great deal of war. We had met small squads of guerillas, but never had had a real brush with the "rebs". So the order was received with great rejoicing throughout the regi-
ment. When we started out in the morning in high glee and saw other com . mands in line ready to move, every man of us felt that this meant business. We rode along through the mud, for it had been raining for several days. hahing for a few moments, then moving slowly forward, as though we were feeling for something that could not be clearly seen. About ro o'clock we struck a camp of the enemy where we captured a few prisoners, burned the tents and camp equipage, etc. About a half mile further on we rode through another camp that had been hastily deserted; this we also burned We were now in high spirits; we seemed to have ridden nearly through the Southern Confederacy, and we wondered if the government had been waiting all this time for us to come and put down the rebellion.
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