The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-09-17
CAMP OF SD Iowa CAVALRY,
Helena, Ark. Sept. 8. '62.

]. MR. EDITOR ON the evening of the
18th of September Col. Bussey, now in
command of the LIST Brigade, LIST Divis.
ion, of the army of the South west, gave
notice that he was prepared to show to the
members of his own regiment, I'D Iowa
Cavalry,) the magnificent sword ordered
by the regiment, and to be presented to
him as . token of their esteem for him as
an officer and gentleman, and in recogni-
ton of his gallantry at the battle of Pea
Ridge. Accordingly the boys assembled
on the bank of the river and the sword
was exhibitsd-the. Colonel minutely des-
cribing the design and emblematicsl de
vices on the hilt, guard and scabbard,
which are of pure gold; but as it will
shortly be sent to Keokuk and Bloomfield
and be exhibited for the satisfaction OF
the numerous friends Of the regiment,
will not attempt the description. Suffice
it to say, it was exhibited in st. Louis 10
the show window of Cranes jewelry es-
Enlistment, and considered by competent
Judges to excel anything Of The kind ever
before seen in that city-Gcncrals Hal
leek and Fremon.'s presentation sabres
not excepted. Il is difficult to say wheth-
er the Colonel Is better satisfied in being
the recipient of the testimonial, than the
boys are in having conferred it.
There having been reports circulated
derogatory to Col. Bussey as an officer, by
designing persons, after much urging by
prominent officers of the regiment, he was
prevailed upon to take advantage of the
assembling of the men together on this
occasion, and make statement of the
facts, as an act of justice both to himself
and the men under his command This
he proceeded to do by plain, detailed
relation Of his doings from the organza
ton of the rcglment-his positions and
actions at the battle of Pea Ridge, and
down to the present time, all of which
was made satisfactory to his listeners by
witnesses then present in the regiment,
and reference to documents now In his
possession, and prominent officials now
here. He then showed up the designs of
intriguing men who had slandered him
at home, and endeavored to poison the
minds of his Notwithstanding all by
evidence incontroycrtible. After speak
ing for an hour or So. he wound up by
raising his hand to heaven saying, " Be-
fore God | declare these statements to be
the truth +"
Adjutant Cutler then stepped forward
and made few remarks, boldly acknowl-
edging that he had been misled by false
statements made by persons in whom he
had heretofore placed confidence but
having become satisfied that they were
designed to injure Col. Bussey and the
regiment, maliciously and Intentionally,
he repudiatel them. Knowing that 9TH
ers entertained the same feelings, he pro-
posed that the assembage organize itself
as meeting, to reconsider the action of
the meeting on the goth ult, voting Lieu
tenant Colonel Trimble sabre. Having
submitted the question, and it being
unanimously agreed to, l herewith send
you copy of the proceedings, which you
will please publish at the request of the
regiment:
CAMP or 3D Iowa CAVALRY, !
Helena, Ark. Sept. 4, 1862.
Att general meeting of the officers
and men Of the Sd Iowa Cavalry, called
for the purpose of giving all an opportu-
nifty of seeing the sabre presented to Col.
Bussey, by the regiment, before sending
it to lowa-after attentively listening to
the statements and evidence submitted by
the Colonel, in yindication of his conduct
while in command of this regiment, and
his successful refutation Of certain SANDER
GUS charges, made by designing persons,
derogatory to his character was unan-
imously agreed to organize themselves in
to meeting to reconsider the action of
the meeting of the 2s.h ult., and in ac-
cordance Herewith it proceeded to organ
ize by unanimously electing the same of
fcers who presided at the previous mect-
ing:-Capt. NJ. L. Baker, Chairman, and
Adjutant II. d. B. Cutler, Secretary.
After remarks on the subject under