The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-08-04

Generals, when about to take the field, to
herald their coming With the trumpet and
high sounding Proclamations, custom strict
ly observed by Gen. Augustus Caesar Dodge,
Commander in Chief of the Democracy in
the present campaign in Iowa. For some
weeks past the public has been startled
from its propriety, by rumors of Dodge, what
Dodge was going to do, and the terrible con-
sequences which would follow when he took
the field in person, draw his sword, throw
away the Scabbard, and vigorously CON-
menced the fight. Among the first conse-
quences, the earliest fcats of this invincible
hero was the SHINING of Kirkwood and
the entire humiliation of the Republican
Party of Iowa. This was work especially
reserved for Dodge. Others had failed, but
it should be remembered that Bates, Samu-
els, Gillaspy and other leaders were not
Dodge by along shot; lights they were
in his absence, but far from brilliant in the
presence Of that great .uminary; so it was
plain that no inference could be drawn from
previous defeats, and it was only necessary
for Dodge to assume command, and the
fortunes Of war and Iowa Democracy would
suddenly change; the flying cohorts of Loco
focoism would rally, and make a stand; the
columns, broken, disheartened, and driven
from field to field, would have new courage
Infused into them by the potent name, the
eloquent voice and the persuasive reasoning
of Dodge, the patriot, the hero, the Orator,
and the Great Statesman!
Well, the prospect was gloomy enough,
when word came that the Hero had actually
broken ground on Thursday at Oskaloosa ;
that he would follow up and continue the
fight an Friday at Eddyville, and finish up
the job at this place on Saturday, provided
Kirkwood and the Republicans did not in
the mean time conclude that discretion was
the better part of valor, and rest satisfied
with the sound drubbing which they would
undoubtedly get at the two former places.
And the gloom which full comprehension
of the danger in which they were placed
oppressed the Republicans with, was not at
all dissipated as the fatal evening approached,
by storm of terrific violence which came
up from the west about that time, during
which the thunder rcverberated, the light
nings flashed, and the rain descended in tor
rents. This commotion of the elements
might portend dire calamity near at hand,
which melancholy view of the subject was
confirmed by the unexpected appearance in
the very teeth Of the tempest, of Halfa sheet
ofthe Statesman, breathing blood and thun-
der against Khkwood, and foretelling the
terrible fate which awaited him at the Court
House, to which place all were urged to re-
pair. Under this depressing state OF things
the Republicans went, prepared, of course,
for the worst.
Notwithstanding the gloom, darkness and
storm, however, pretty considerable num-
Der of Republicans and Democrats, found
their way to the Court House, the Democrats
eager with anticipation, and arranged for
service. That modest man, DR.. Wood, chief
clacker or stompcr, especially, was there, and
posted where his interesting physiognomy
and inevitable cane, could respectively be
seen and heard. Near the Doctor, and also
conspicuous, was Street, that old and tried
friend of the Gen. who had evidently deter
mined that his recent Democracy should
have an airing where the great Dodge could
not fail to see and comprehend it in all its
vast proportions, and great sincerity. Gil
laspy, too, ct id omne genus, were there
It was plain to be seen that the Democracy
were anticipating fun, and fully prepared
TO enjoy it.
Mr.. Kirkwood came first, plain, unassu,
ming, but, in his appearance and bearing
not lily calculated to command attention and
enforce respect, certainly exhibiting few
marks Of having been skinned yet The
Gen. had not yet made his appearance, and
it was some time before he did, SO much so
that some little Impatience was manifested
especially after Mr.. Kirkwood had announ,
ced that, by an arrangement between Gen.
Dodge and himself, the former was to speak
first. At last, however, the door opened and