USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > The history of Appanoose County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 50
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Craig, Victor, e. Feb. 10, 1862, disd. July 22, 1863.
Gragg, Samuel, e. Jan. 1, 1862.
Gragg, Job. e. Jan. 1, 1862.
Ilornback, Jacob, e. Jan. 1, 1862.
Rye, John, e. Jan. 1, 1862.
Stevens, Thomas, e. Jan. 1, 1862.
Stevens, Jas. V., e. Feb. 1, 1862.
Thompson, Wm., e. Jan. 1, 1862.
Company C.
Second Lient. Wm. Law, com. March 10, 1862. prmtd. 1st lieut.
First Sergt. Jas. G. West, e. March 10, 1862, prmtd. 2d lieut.
Corp. Wm. W. Brown, e. March 10, 1862, deserted.
Corp. John R. Frost, e. March 10, 1862.
Cline, John J., e. March 10, 1862, disd. Oct. 30, 1863.
Gale, Samuel M., e. March 10, 1862, prmtd. corp. Moore, Chas., e. March 10, 1862.
Thompson, D., e. March 10, 1862.
EIGHTEENTH MISSOURI IN- FANTRY.
Company D.
Rigler, John, e. Sept. 27, 1861, died June 25, 1863.
Company G.
Peterson, Cornelius, disd. Oct. 17, 1862.
Company I.
Sergt Caleb Wells, e. Oct. 17, 1861, died a prisoner of war May 17, 1862.
Corp. Charles M. Skinner, e. Sept. 17, 1862. Bacchus, Sanford, e. Sept. 2, 1861, died Dec. 15, 1861. Cavanaugh, G. W., e. Sept. 27, 1861, deserted Oct.30, 1861.
Cooksey, Claiborn, e. Sept. 17, 1861, de- serted Sept. 28, 1861.
Cool, Hendrix, e. Oct. 17, 1861.
Korn, Leander, e. Oct. 17, 1861.
Korn, L. B., e. Sept. 24, 1861, disd. Oct. 3, 1862.
Maples, J. I., e. Sept. 15, 1861, died at New Albany, Ind.
Mercer, Henry, e. Oct. 16, 1861.
Mercer, Samuel, e. Oct. 7, 1861, died May 6, 1862.
Roarer, Daniel, e. Sept. 21, 1861, disd. July 8, 1862.
Sharp, J. E., e. Sept. 17, 1861, disd. Aug. 10, 1862.
Sterret, Johnston, e. Oct. 17, 1861, died June 30, 1862.
Thompson, William. e. Sept. 14, 1861, de- serted Oct. 3, 1861.
TWENTY-FIRST MISSOURI IN- FANTRY.
Company G.
Corp. Wm. H. Pulliam, e. Oct. 25, 1861, disd. June 27, 1862.
Bates, M. W., e. Oct. 25, 1861.
Carr, Richard, e. Oct. 25, 2861.
Commons, Henry, e. Dec. 1, 1862.
Cummings, Alonzo, e. Oct. 25, 1861.
Davic, C. C., e. Oct. 25, 1861.
Knapp, J. M., e. Oct. 1, '61, disd. for disab.
Knapp, W. A., e. Oct. 1, 1861.
Lamar, Trusten, e. Oct. 25, 1861, deserted Dec. 1, 1862.
McCune, Robert, e. Oct. 25, 1861.
Masterson, C .. e. Oct. 25, 1861, disd. Nov. 3, 1863, disab.
Masterson, J. W., e. Oct. 25, 1861, disd. June 13, 1862, disab.
Miller, W. C., e. Sept. 1, 1861.
Pitts, Peter, e. Oct. 25, 1861.
Seals, A. J., e. Dec. 25, 1861, kld. at Shiloh.
Sheeks, G. W., e. Dec. 15, 1861.
Watts, Elihu, e. Oct. 25, 1861, wd. at Shiloh, disd. Dec. 15, 1862.
Watts, John, e. Oct. 25, 1861, disd. June 16, 1862, disab.
Company H.
T
Jones, J. L., e. Jan. 11, 1862.
Lewis, J. M., e. Jan. 24, 1862, missed at Shiloh.
SIXTH KANSAS CAVALRY.
[NOTE .- Date of muster-out of regiment is not given in the Adjutant General's report.]
Company B.
Capt. E. E. Harvey, e. Aug. 12, 1862. First Lieut. Jacob Morehead, e. Aug. 12, 1862.
Second Lieut. R. R. McQuire, e. Aug. 12, 1862.
First Sergt. S. D. Harris, e. Aug. 12, 1862, prmtd. 1st lieut.
Sergt. J. H. McCabe, e. Aug. 12, 1862, disd. Oct. 23, 1863, disab.
J.B. Maring CENTERVILLE
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY. 425
Sergt. J. H. Asher, e. Aug. 12, 1862.
Sergt. G. W. Farnsworth, e. Aug. 12, 1862, prmtd. 1st. lieut.
Sergt. R. F. Rinker, e. Ang. 12, 1861.
Corp. John Crowder, e. Aug. 12, 1861, disd. Jan. 5, 1863, disab.
Corp. W. W. Lockard, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Corp John W. Miller, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Corp. Noah M. Scott, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Corp. E. L. Parker, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Corp. Addison Pendergast, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Corp. William Bell, e. Aug. 12, 1861, disd. Oct. 2, 1861, disab.
Corp. T. C. McCauley, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Musician Samuel Ball, e. Aug. 12, 1861, trans. to 5th Kan.
Musician M. L. Maddox, e. Aug. 12, 1861. Allen, D. H., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Abbot, Groves, e. Aug. 12, 1861, trans. to 5th Kansas Inf.
Arrison, E. R., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Bryan, J. W., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Buck, Sylvester, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Belvail, Samuel, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Boston, Cyrus, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Barrett, John, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Barber. W. E., e. Aug. 12, 1861, disd. Oct. 5, 1861, disab.
Beamer, H. C., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Barchus, William, e. Aug. 12, 1861, died ·Sept. 11, 1862.
Cline, Washington, e. Aug. 12, 1861, trans. to 5th Kan.
Curtis, G. W., e. June 12, 1862.
Davis, W. B., e. Aug. 12, 1861, died Oct. 28, 1861.
Davis, E. H., e. Aug. 12, 1861, kld. May 15, 1862, at Jackson, Mo.
Farnsworth, John, e. March 7, 1863.
Fox, William, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Fugua, R. F., e. Sept. 16, 1861.
Grass, John, e. Aug. 12, 1861, disd. Jan. 5, 1863, disab.
Gelman, Arthur, e. Aug. 1861.
Goldsburg, John, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Gilman, E., e. Aug. 12, 1861, died June 5, 1862.
Gregsby, William, e. Aug. 12, 1861, died Oct. 20, 1861.
Glass, E., e. Aug. 12, 1861, disd. Jan. 5, 1863, disab. Harrison, T. C., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Hawkins, D. H., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Hamlin, Thomas, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Hercules, W. T., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Hinton, Marion, e. Aug. 12, 1861. Innman, N., e. Aug. 12, 1861. Jennings, E. T., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Jackson, C. R., e. Aug. 12, 1861. Jackson, Alex., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Kiser, Adam, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Kellogg, Hiram, e. Aug. 12, 1861, trans. to 5th Kansas. Lee, W. G., e. Aug. 12, 1851.
Lowery, J. C., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Lewallen, N. J., e. May 20, 1862.
LeGrand, T. G., e. Aug. 12, 1861, deserted Oct. 18, 1862.
McCord, Jos., e. July 17, 1861, died at Ft. Scott, Kan.
McCord, Jolin, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
McDonald, D. P., e. Aug. 12, 1861, disd. Oct. 23, 1862, disab.
McLain, P. B., e. Aug. 12, 1861, disd. Oct. 23, 1862, disab.
McGuire, Geo., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Morris, Wm. W., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Morris, Henry, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
McCord, Andrew, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Manning, E., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Manning, Wm. J., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Nash, Wm., e. Aug. 12, 1861, disd. Oct. 23, 1862, disab.
Norwood, W. W., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Owens, William T., e. Aug. 12, 1861, kld. September 19, 1862, at Hickory Grove, Mo.
Orill, Allison, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Paite, M., e. Sept. 16, 1861.
Pettit, Allen G., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Parker, John G., e. March 24, 1862.
Pendergast, John, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Parker, L. G., e. Aug. 12, 1861, disd. July 30, 1862, to accept a commission.
Paite, David, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Rinker, Geo. W., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Roy, Isaiah, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Roop, Geo. W., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Root, Albert, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Rinker, O. C., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Root, Geo. R., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Slavens, J. H., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Stewart, Amos, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Smith, Wm. A., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Strickland, Elmore, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Sidles, Peter, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Sigler, Peter, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Simmons, Richard, e. Sept. 16, 1861.
Tucker, H. C., e. Aug. 12, 1861, disd. Jan. 5, 1863, disab.
Teater, C. M., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Teater, L., e. Aug. 1, 1863.
Thurber, M., e. Aug. 12, 1861, deserted Nov. 14, 1862.
Tucker, C. C., e. Aug. 12, 1861, died July 25, 1862.
Teater, P. R., e. Aug. 12, 1861, died Sept. 25, 1861.
Walden, Samuel, e. Sept. 16, 1861.
Wright, Jas. R., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Whitham, John W., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Wolfinger, Jas., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Westfall. W. W., e. Aug. 12, 1861, disd. April 25, 1863, disab.
Wood, John B., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Wilson, A. J., e. Aug. 12, 1861, kld. at Jackson, Mo.
Wolfinger, S., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Zentz, J. B., e. Aug. 12, 1861. Zimmerman, John, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Zimmerman, Geo., e. Aug. 12, 1861.
C
426
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
MISCELLANEOUS. Second Infantry.
('apt. John Wesley Scott, e. as Corp. May 6, 1861, printd. 2d lieut. Nov. 12, 1862, prmtd. 1st lient. April 3, 1863, prmtd. capt. 2d Vet. Inf. Dec. 12, 1864, m. o. July 18, 1865.
Corp. Robert B. Vermilyea, e. May 6, 1861, m. o. June 18, 1864.
Buckmaster, E., e. May 6, 1861, disd. Dec. 21, 1861.
Park, Simpson, e. May 6, 1861, died April 30, 1862.
Phillips, S. B., e. May 6, 1861, died Nov. 23, 1861.
Staley, Daniel W., e. May 6, 1861, died Oct. 13, 1861:
Strunk, Daniel J., e. May 6, 1861, m. o. June 18, 1864.
Eighth Infantry.
Corp. John H. Dougherty, e. Aug. 10, 1861, disd. Feb. 15, 1862.
Corp. John Haver, e. Aug. 10, 1861, m. o. April 20, 1866.
Davis, Isaac, e. Aug. 10, 1861, trans. to 1st Neb. Regt. Dec. 31, 1861.
Duncan, John, e. Ang. 10, 1861, m. o. April 20, 1866.
Garrett, Reuben, e. Aug. 10, 1861, m. o. April 20, 1866.
Haver, Geo., e. Aug. 10, 1861, vet. Jan. 1, 1864, captd. at Memphis.
Jackson, Joshua, e. Ang. 10, 1861, disd. Feb. 15, 1862.
Mickey, Isaac, e. Ang. 10, 1861, disd. March 1, 1863, disab.
Fourteenth Infantry.
Buckmaster, Chas.
Fifteenth Infantry.
Houts, Orrin F., e. Nov. 1, 1861, m. o. Nov. 16, 1864.
Sixteenth Infantry.
Harl, Chas. F., e. Feb. 12, 1862, mortally wd. at Corinth, died Oct. 11, 1862.
Twenty-fifth Infantry.
Musician Albert Benson, e. Aug. 22, 1862, m. o. June 6, 1865.
Train, Isaac N., e. Aug. 21, 1862, m. o. June 6, 1865.
Twenty-ninth Infantry.
F. Maj. Oliver Williams, e. Aug. 9, 1862, m. o. Aug. 10, 1865.
Thirtieth Infantry.
Bryant, Robert M., e. Aug. 9, 1862, m. o. June 5, 1865.
Corp. John W. Law, e. Aug. 13, 1862, m. o. June 5, 1865. 1
Gardiner, Elijah, e. July 30, 1862, m. o. June 5, 1865.
Thirty-fourth Infantry.
Clark, William A., e. Aug. 13, 1862, disd. March 16, 1863, disab.
Larkin, Chas. W., e. Aug. 13, 1862, m. o. Aug. 15, 1865.
Thirty-ninth Infantry.
Musician M. M. Boyer, e. Sept. 21, 1862, m. o. June 5, 1865.
Forty-fourth Infantry.
Asst. Surg. John HI. Rassell, com. May 28, 1864, m. o. Sept. 15, 1864.
Forty-fifth Infantry.
Sergt. Wm. M. Reid, e. May 10, 1864, m. o. Sept. 16, 1864.
Forty-eighth Infantry.
Brees, Wm. H., e. June 15, 1864, m. o. Oct. 21, 1864.
Van Kirk, Henry, e. June 11, 1864, m. o. Oct. 21, 1864.
First Cavalry.
Bessey, Chas., e. June 24, 1863, m. o. Feb. 15, 1866.
Fourth Cavalry.
Carson, Jas. M., e. Oct. 8, 1861, died May 30, 1864.
Ogden, H. B., e. Oct. 9, 1861, vet. Dec. 19, 1863, m. o. Aug. 10, 1865.
Cafferty, Geo, e. Nov. 14, 1861, m. o. Aug. 10, 1865.
Dotson, John, e. Nov. 14, 1861, vet. Dec. 11, 1863, m. o. Aug. 10, 1865.
Swain, Wm., e. Nov. 14, 1861, died Aug. 28, 1863.
Fullerton. W., e. Nov. 14, 1861, vet. Dec. 19, 1863, died Jan. 16, 1865.
Brotherton, M. V. B., vet. Jan. 1, 1864, m. o. Ang. 10, 1865.
Fifth Veteran Cavalry.
Corp. Elijah Atkinson, e. Sept. 21, 1861, vet. Jan. 1, 1864, missing.
Ninth Cavalry.
Branchcome, D., e. Oct. 4, 1863, trans. to V. R. C.
Gouldsbury, Cyrus, e. Oct. 1, 1863, m. o. Feb. 3, 1866.
Griffith, M. B., e. Oct. 7, 1863, m. o. Feb. 3, 1866. Smith, Jas. W., e. April 18, 1864. m. o. Feb. 3, 1866.
Shannon, Jos. O., e. April 18, 1864, m. o. Feb. 3, 1863.
Artillery, Second Battery.
Flock, George E., e. Nov. 23, 1864, m. o. Aug. 7, 1865.
427
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
First Cavalry-Missouri State Militia. Corp. Wm. Stinson, e. Feb. 15, 1862, disd. June 27, disab.
Benner, Frederick, e. Feb. 3, 1862, disd. Dec. 2, 1862.
Third Missouri Cavalry.
Matherly, John, e. March 22, 1862. Matherly, Wisely, e. Dec. 3, 1861.
Taylor, Abner, e. Oct. 12, 1862, prmtd. to corp.
Tenth Kansas In 1try.
Ball, Samuel, e. Aug. 12, 1861. Maddax, Martin, e. Aug. 12, 1861.
Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry.
Gordon, Allen, e. Aug. 9, 1861.
One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Infantry.
Reed, Benj. F., e. Aug. 18, 1862.
For four years and more, the note of the fife and drum and bugle and the tramp of armed hosts were continuously heard, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Gulf of Mexico to British North America, and the clash of arms was borne northward on every breeze from the sunny but blood-drenched plains of the South. For four years and more, " grim-visaged war " had waved its crim- son banners over the fair fabric the fathers had erected, in a vain endeavor to hurl it from its foundations. In this terrible and gigantic struggle, Appanoose had borne its full part ; and many a brave volunteer from its beautiful prairies had laid his life on the battle-field, or starved to death in the rebel slaughter- pens at Andersonville and Macon.
But now, Sherman and his " brave boys in blue " had made their memor- able and historic march to the sea ; Lee had surrendered to the victorious army of the Union under Grant; the war was ended; peace restored; the Union preserved in its integrity, and the patriotic sons of Appanoose who were spared to witness the final victory of the armies of the Union, returned to their homes to receive grand ovations and tributes of honor from friends and neighbors who had eagerly and jealously and anxiously watched and followed them wherever the varying fortunes of war had called them.
Exchanging their soldiers' uniforms for citizens' dress, most of them fell back to their old avocations-on the farm, in the mines, at the forge, the bench, in the shop, in the office, or at whatever else their hands found to do. Their noble deeds, in' the hour of their country's peril, are now and always will be dear to the hearts of the people whom they so faithfully served. Brave men are always honored, and no class of citizens are entitled to greater respect than the brave volunteers of Appanoose County, not simply because they were soldiers, but because, in their association with their fellow-men, their walk is upright, and their character and honesty without reproach.
Their country first, their glory and their pride ; Land of their hopes-land where their fathers died ; When in the right, they'll keep their honor bright ; When in the wrong, they'll die to set it right.
The wondrous deeds of daring and glorious achievements of the Army of the Union, during the great war of the rebellion, will always be dearly cherished by all patriotic hearts. Yet there were scenes, incidents and accidents, the memory of which will shade with sadness the bright reflections engendered by the contemplation of a heroism, devotion and sacrifice the like of which the world never saw before. But the memory of those who fell in the stupendous struggle is still familiar to the present people of Appanoose County ; but fifty years hence, when the fathers and mothers of to-day shall have passed on to their eternal home, they will be remembered by posterity more as matters of tradition than of absolute written history.
428
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
THE MONUMENT.
The beautiful marble shaft in the southwest part of the public square in Centerville, deserves a few words of mention here. The first inception of the project for building a monument to the memory of the fallen volunteers of Appanoose, was due to the forethought and public spirit of R. Stephenson, Jr., J. B. Maring, D. D. Sturgeon, C. N. Udell, J. F. Stephenson, C. N. Henkle, Ed Lane, Miss Hattie Wilson, Miss Emma Shanks and Miss Sallie Shanks, who formed a dramatic association in the winter of 1865-66, for the purpose of beginning a monument fund.
On account of a great revival in progress in Centerville, the intended exhi- bitions were postponed from time to time until March, during which month the club appeared four times to crowded houses, and twice in April. The net result of these exhibitions was gratifyingly large, but not much more was done toward advancing the project till February, 1867, when a call for a public meeting to push the measure was made by Elder Sevey, Judge Tannehill, C. H. Howell, D. M. Rice, Jacob Rummel, J. A. Breazeale, Isaac S. Adams, C. Hollingsworth, D. L. Strickler, S. M. Moore, William Bradley, B. Adamson, Gen. Drake, J. R. Wooden, D. C. Campbell and J. Lankford. By means of this call, a county organization was effected, and a director was appointed for each township. A meeting was again held January 8, 1868, at which time it was reported that $171.25 had been collected, and $413 pledged in addition. John Hughes was elected President ; Col. J. F. Walden, Vice President ; Jacob Rummel, Secretary ; C. H. Howell, Treasurer. It was resolved at this meet- ing to accomplish the end originally proposed ; and during that year the funds were pledged, and in the winter of 1868-69 the contract was let for the con- struction of the monument.
The work was completed and the monument set up about July 4, 1869, and the oration was pronounced by Gen. J. B. Weaver, of Bloomfield, as part of the immense celebration on that day.
The shaft stands at the southwest side of the public square, and is about twenty-two feet high. The first three bases are of limestone, each one some- thing over a foot in thickness. The fourth base is of marble. The die is about two and a half feet square at the bottom, and four feet high. On the southwest face of the die is the inscription, " Union Soldiers' Monument, erected July 4, 1869," while on the three other faces are carved the names of the dead heroes of Appanoose. The plinth is about two feet square, ornamented with lily work. The spire is six feet high, and perfectly plain, except bearing the national coat-of-arms on the southwest face. The cap is about two and a half feet square, and of corresponding height. On this rests an urn of suitable proportions. The design is severely plain, but the monument is admirably pro- portioned, and is an object which at once attracts the eye of a stranger. Its cost was about $2,000.
THE SOLDIERS' RE-UNION.
The following account of the Re-union of the soldiers of the war of the rebellion, at Centerville, on the 22d and 23d of August, 1878, is compiled from the graphic narrative published in the Centerville Citizen, which has been courteously placed at the disposal of the historian by its writer, W. O. Crosby, Esq. :
At an early hour on the 22d, the people began to pour in from all directions to attend the Re-union, and all day large numbers were constantly added, as the various trains arrived, and by noon the town was full of people, and also the camp-ground.
429
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
The town was decked in flags-hardly a business house or private residence in the city was without them. Flags were here, there and everywhere. A stranger would certainly conclude that the people of Centerville were patriotic, from the display of bunting. It was but an outward demonstration of what a live town can and will do.
At 5 A. M., a national salute was fired by Col. Phillips, of the First Illi- nois Artillery, in charge of that arm of the service. The old veteran heroes of many a march and battle assembled early at the camp-ground, and such a handshaking as was indulged in, as old comrades met, was of itself sufficient to prove that soldiers at least have hearts.
The forenoon was spent in organization and the renewal of old acquaint- ances. The artillerymen, cavalrymen and infantrymen each assembled and organized for drill and sham battle; while the Mexican war veterans and the Gray-Beards organized themselves into a social circle, and the stories they told were wonderful and full of interest.
In the afternoon, there was artillery-firing and other music, while the crowd was assembling. At 2 o'clock, at least three or four thousand people gathered at the speaking-stand. The Re-union was then formally opened, Hon. M. M. Walden as Commandant, and the following programme of the temporary organization carried out : Prayer by Chaplain G. R. Murray ; music by the choir, "From Atlanta to the Sea;" address of welcome, by Hon. M. M. Walden.
The management of the Re-union was then turned over, by the Executive Committee, to the veterans in aitendance. The Re-union then proceeded to the election of officers, with the following result : Commander-in-Chief, Capt. James Turner, of Unionville, Mo., late Sixth Iowa Infantry ; Adjutant, Capt. J. M. Porter, of Albia, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry ; Aides-de-Camp, Capt. R. F. Lyttle, One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry ; and Capt. H. H. Wright, Sixth Iowa Infantry.
Addresses, interspersed with the singing of old camp-songs, were delivered by Hon, M. M. Walden and Chaplain Kirkland, of the Tenth Wisconsin Infantry. These exercises were followed by drills of artillery, cavalry and infantry ; and a cavalry charge upon the artillery, during which some lively riding and quick firing were done; the afternoon's performance winding up with a dress-parade.
The performance of the troops was excellent, the boys very readily falling into the ways of years ago. From their actions, there was no need to be told that they were veterans. And thus ended the afternoon's programme, with nobody hurt and everybody well entertained and happy.
In the evening, the boys again assembled in force at the stand and held an impromtu experience-meeting, which was the most enjoyable and enthusiastic affair it was ever our good-fortune to witness. Old battles were fought over, old marches recalled, old songs sung, and such singing ! It seemed as if each one in the vast audience vied with the other in singing the loudest, making the woods echo and the old camp-ground ring again as we have not before heard since the days of 1861 to 1865. "John Brown " was the favorite, and repeated again and again ; while " Tramp, Tramp" came in for a good second.
Ringing speeches, full of the fire of true patriotism and soldierlv grit, ten- derness and enthusiasm, were made by Hon. Joel Brown, of Edina, Mo., Fifth Iowa Infantry ; Hon. J. T. Young, Secretary of State, Thirty-sixth Iowa; William Brown, of Wayne County, Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry ; Hon. B. R. Sherman, Auditor of State, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry : Hon. Samuel J.
430
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
Kirkwood, the old War-Governor, who so well deserves to rank with the veterans and hold a warm place in their affections ; Gen. F. M. Drake, Judge Robert Sloan, Capt. T. M. Fee and Capt. W. F. Vermilion, Thirty-sixth Iowa. And never were speeches made to a more appreciative audience. Very frequent were the expressions of approval, and intensely demonstrative the hearty and oft-repeated applause, while the old woods rang again and again with tremen- dous peals of laughter; and finally the meeting was brought to a close at 11 o'clock, when three cheers were given for the Re-union, three for the old vet- erans, three for Grant and Sherman, three and a "tiger " for the old War-Gov- ernor, and three for the pigs and chickens stolen in Dixie.
The second day of the Re-union opened with an appearance of rain, but soon cleared away, and at an early hour the people began to arrive from every direction, and, long before noon, the camp, the grove and the town were over- flowing with the largest crowd . ever assembled in this portion of the State. Estimates of the number range all the way from ten thousand to twenty-five thousand, and it is impossible to give any accurate estimate of the number here.
The old veterans, large numbers of whom had been in camp over night, as- sembled early for drill, and the way they marched and counter-marched brought back old times and old associations.
At 10:30 A. M., five or six thousand people assembled at the stand to listen to an address by Hon. Samuel J. Kirkwood, the old War-Governor of Iowa, and for over an hour he held the vast audience by the power of his eloquence. His speech recalled many anecdotes and incidents connected with Iowa soldiers, and disclosed many of the things enacted behind the scenes. The address was full of patriotic fire and good council, and all uttered in the brave, outspoken manner so peculiar to the grand old hero.
In the afternoon, speeches were again in order, and good ones were made by Col. Sampson, Fifth Iowa; Col. Hammond, Tenth Iowa ; Maj. Sherman, Thirteenth Iowa; S. B. Downing, Third Missouri Mounted Volunteers, war with Mexico; and letters were read from Col. Noble, Third Iowa Cavalry ; Gov. Gear; Maj. Hamilton, Thirty-sixth Iowa, and others.
The old battle-flags of the Sixth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth and Thirty-sixth Infantry, and of the Third, Seventh and Eighth Cavalry regiments were pres- ent, and gave their influence to bring back the grand achievements of the brave boys who carried them to glorious victory.
At 3 P. M., the veterans formed and marched to the sham-battle ground, situated southeast of town, where all could obtain an'uninterrupted view. The opposing forces were arranged, and, at the signal, the battle commenced. The roar of the artillery was interspersed with the rattle of the skirmish-line, and then came the volleys of musketry and the charge of cavalry, and thus the battle waged for over an hour, the adverse sides alternately advancing and retreating, only to re-form and re-advance to drive their opponents back again. The battle was well managed throughout, under command of Capt. James Turner, Commander-in-Chief; Col. J. C. Phillips, commanding the artillery, and Col. J. D. Jenks, commanding the cavalry.
While in the midst of the engagement, a sad accident occurred at one of the guns, the premature discharge of which deprived comrade A. R. Babb of his right arm, tearing it off below the elbow. He was filling the post of No. 1, and was engaged in ramming home the wad, when the piece was discharged. His hand was blown completely off and carried several hundred yards, while the ramrod was carried to a distant part of the field. This sad accident cast a gloom over all, and shortly the battle was brought to a close.
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
In the evening, the boys again assembled around the stand and had a regu- lar old-fashioned experience-meeting. Many good speeches were made and songs sung. The most interesting event of the evening was the speech by William Crow, of Company D, Sixth Iowa. He had present the drum carried by Charley Stratton and the rifle carried by George Black, and, with these witnesses to the heroism of fallen comrades for a text, he made a speech full of sympathetic pathos, which brought tears to the eyes of all; and under its influ- 'ence, all the old veterans present gathered around the stand and indulged in a love-feast which surpassed anything ever before witnessed in this country. After continuing these experiences until 11 o'clock, the meeting dispersed. And thus ended the Re-union, an occasion which will ever be remembered by those who took part in it; an occasion which has renewed and given new life to the patriotic impulses which actuated the boys to give up all and to risk all in defense of the dear old flag.
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