Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-02-27
THE SECOND IOWA REGIMENT.


The prominent part taken by this
regiment in the memorable battle at
Fort Donelson, will secure it a brilliant
page, not only in the history of this
nation, but in the history Of daring mil
itary achievements of the world. 1t is
uncontrovertibly SO; and the future will
prove the assertion to be true. No SOL
der need claim q prouder name than
that which attaches to those brave and
heroic men who so proudly performed
their duty, and 50 gallantly bore for
ward their flag on the day which de-
cided the battle at the above named
place. At the time Of making their
gallant charge, the scale Of battle leaned
obviously towards the rebels. What
fearful responsibility was theirs in that
charge. We do not assume, Of course,
that no other regiment could have filed
their place, but having accepted it, it
is not difficult to determine that had
they faltercd or turned back beneath
the calling fire which thinned their ranks,
the day would have been lost to the
Union arms, and the rebels would have
been so strengthened and encouraged
"a to have made the labor of reducing
them both tedious and bloody. What
ponderous responsibility was theirs
How bravely and how like veterans did
that regiment Of raw volunteers, support
it. They had been but "a few months in
tho field-had never been in an engage
ment before; they came from the pillow,
from the mechanics bench, from the
Office. and from behind the counter
al from peaceful avocations but day
before, as it were, and even in that con-
dition and with such disadvantages, per
formed prodigies Of valor which would
challenge the hig hest admiration of the
war worn, war educated veterans Of
France or England. Iii SO! Ransack
the pages OF the Worlds wars and you
will come to the same conclusion. The
history OF the First Revolution furnishes
no parallel to the soldery intrepldity
thus developed. No bayonct charge In
any Napoleonic campaign inside OF or
outside OF history, ever surpassed it
nay, 70 "foIlorn hope" ever brought to
light more or firmer courage. Are we
too fast? Then furnish the record to
the contrary. Are we saying too much
for the brave Iowa Second? Tell us,
then, whcren-tell US how we could
say less, ard tell the whole truth.
Says the Reporter OF the New York
Tribune, who watched the movements
of that grand charge, "The Iowa Second
was the first regiment, to its honor be it
said, that scaled the breastworks. They
performed this hazardous and brilliant
movement in mastery style, and after
the manner Of the veterans who immOr-
talized themselves in the wars Of NapO-
leon.
They never hestated, they never
faltered; but with firm step and flashing
eve, they passed without firing gun
into the rebel works. In few seconds
other regiments followed them, and a
terrible strife ensued between the con-
tending parties. The Secessonists
seemed resolved to drive the Unionists
back, and the latter equally determined
not to surrender the advantage they had
obtained.
"For at least two hours, tho rafting
OF musketry was INCREASINGLY heard, and
the armed masses swayed to and fro;
fortune appearing to favor now one side,
and now another.
"Ever and anon loud cheer went mn
for the Union, and this was caught up
at distance, and echoed by our sol.
diers, and joyously rc-echoed by the
surrounding hills. Many brave wal
rior heard that glorious shout as his
senses reeled in death, and his spirit
went forth embamed with the assur.
ance that he had not fallen in vain.
"A large rebel gun every few seconds
would pour its iron hale upon our strug.
Cling heroes; but generally the s:rinp
was too high to do much b..rm. Our
courageous troops soon pl anted the Stars
and Stripes within the entertainments,
and as the goo',. old flag waved it's fold.
there, a deafening shout went IN 70
heaven that gave the defenders of the
Union strength to battle anew in the
cause whose glory shall never set.
"Southern regiment after regiment
went to the assistance Of the rebels, who
we're burning to retrieve their failing
fortunes; but our troops fastened for
ward and threw themselves into the
stronghold of the enemy, and battled a.
the hosts OF Richard the Lion Hearted
bsttled once in the home Of the Sar-
acens."
HE Dubuque and Sioux City, and
the Cedar Rapids and Missouri Railroad
Companies, having been unable to build
their several roads as far as stipulated in
the land grants, are applicants before