The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-10-21

incA.s Soi' .. NJ. summers, We learn from
the Courier, is full, and will rendezvous
at Ottumwa.
Col. J. W. Rankin and the I7th.
The resignation of Col. John w. Rar
= kan having been accepted, compliment
tary supper was given in camp to him by
the commissioned officers of the Regiment
on the evening Of the Goth Sept, on which
occasion, the following farewell address
was submitted, and on the subsequent
evening, the officers returned the compl-
ment with response which we also pub
lsh.
Headquarters, Iowa 18th, ]
September 26th, 1862
OFFICERS OF THE Iowa 17rH: Not be-
ing able to address you orally, my voice
having left me, / take this method to
make known to you my severance
from the command of this Regiment
On the 18th day of April of this year, |
was mustered as your chief officer, and
the relationship then established, contin-
ued until the Sd day of September, as of
right and law, and as u matter of fact un-
til the 10th day of September. To me the
relation has been most pleasant. There
have been times when it became necessary |
to arrest otficers ard punish enlisted men,
but these occasions lave been rare indeed |
From the beginning TO this time, bar
mony has existed, which is deserving Of
commentator. | think | can saw that
at this writing there are no two men in the
regiment who are enemies. Our officers
and men mix and mingle and the best
feeling exists while command is nor de-
stroyed by too great familiarity.
The regiment was brought into exist
ence IN short time. 1t was speedily sent
to 81. Louis, and there well armed and
equipped. 1t was speedily forwarded to
Hamburg and there placed on the left OF
the army Of the Mississippi, in most
perilous position.
Day after day it was expected that an
attack would be made, and time after
time, the regiment on alarm sprang to
arms. and prepared for the conflict. Be-
fore Corinth all the ofscers and men
marched for an hour under q heavy fire,
and although not Immediately destruet-
i've, 1t was well calculated to try new
men. Not an officer not man flinched
From that time to this, the regiment has
encountered heavy marches and perform
ed heavy and valuable services. The
Boonville. the Ripley, the Bay Spring
road, snd the luka adventure are monu.
ments of the ability Of Iowa men to en-
dure labor under trials and straits. Then
came the Battle of Iuka. The Iowa 18th
double-quicked near two miles and with
but one field officer was thrown across
woods under most terrific FIRE. and then
to be cut IN two by astonished horsemen.
Some men shuddered, and il God ever
made men that would not have shuddered
under such walls of wrath from demon
rebels they belong to some nknown cline. |
But shudder, was not to run, or show
cowadrlce. for with will each man neryed
himself for soldiers duty and several |
found soldiers grave. Lieut. Smith |
and his comrades in glory went down.
Capt. Archer and his comrade bled on
the ground. Brave dead brave living |!
May the God OF battles furnish balm for
every bereaved friend, and new stimu-
lus to duty for every living soldier of the
regiment. The bloody battle is over, it
was terrible, terrific, and imposing in its
greatness beyond description. Shells
burst IN every direction, shot and balls
few as If hell being lead mine, bullet |
mould, and powder house, had let loose
upon us. The man that lived through it
must have had God with him, and our
hearts are turned TO the hope that he took
the dead to his embrace. But the bat
tie is over, and the living arc here. Nv
relation 10 them is no more. ! part, but
cannot be senarated / learn L.. ii II