The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-10-28
THE DEATH OF COT. ronRErc.

feached u Monday evening of the deaf
OF Col. ToRREKcE, and which We earnestl
trusted would be contradicted by late
intelligence, was substantiated yesterda
and cast gloon over our whole commu
nifty, which tells more eloquently thai
words of the high and deserved estima
ton in which the fallen hero was bel,
in the community in which he has live,
SO many years.
Aware Of the dangers of the battlefield
aud knowing that one man is as likely Il
fall as another, We have tried to disciplin,
our minds for anything which the casu
alties of war might develop but when
as In the present case, the news of the
fall OF one who so recently bade US good.
bye, with his familiar "God bless yon,'
reached US, we could only bow our be ads
in sadness and sorrow.
The deceased has been a citizen Of on,
city for sixteen years, and then only q
few who, in all the elements of social
life. were bis equals; firm and unwa7er
ing In his devotion to principle. His ex
ample as citizen and gentleman was
OF that kind which made all men better
who came within the scope of his ind u
ence. The cause of his country was naar-
est his heart, and when the President call.
ed for volunteers to defend the old flag
against its enemies he was among the frs,
who rallied to its defense. And as We
contemplate him stricken down in the
pride of maturing manhood. we are vivid
ly reminded of his short and telling re-
ply to the speech of Justice Miller on
the occasion of n flag presentation to his
company in the First Iowa Cavalry by
the ladies OF keokuk. He said on this
occasion Ladies of keokuk, have no
speech to make you. but this much
pledge you: when this flag which hold
In my hand shall be trailed in the dust,
then will the Captains wife be widow
and my children fatherless." How we'll
he has kept his pledge let the many gal
liant and heroic deeds of the First Cavalry
and the no less dauntless bravery of the
noble Thirtieth Infantry, in whose lead
he FELL attest.
Col. ToRREScE was a native Of Penn
sylvania, and was about forty years Of age
at the time Of his death. He served his
country faithfulIy through the Mexican
war. He started out as Captain in the
present war, but his superior quali6ca-
tions soon placed him in higher posi-
tion, and no one doubts but what he would
have still gained higher position had he
been spared
As an evidence of the estimation in
which be was held By those who knew
him in the field, We may be excused for
the language of one who was
private at that time, in the First Iowa
but who has since been promo
ted to Csptaincy; said he, writing to a
friend in Keokuk, az have become ac-
quainted with Col. ToRRENcE, of your
place, and will add, you may well be proud
Of your men if you have macy such, as |
regard him as one of the best men, and
certainly the best cavalry officer l ev ver
knew"
A brave and gallant soldier has fallen,
and whilst we sympathize with the strick-
en- and bereaved of his now desoate
household, whose tears for husband and
father will only cease to flow as they shall
be comforted by the author of that reli-
gion which, whilst living. he was an earn
est and honest exemplar. Let us, as
lovers of our once glorious Union, initiate
the patriotism of one who gave his life as
sacrifice upon her altar.
The following particulars Of his death
was received by telegraph:
"The death of Col Terrence. of the
30th Iowa, was serious disaster. He
was killed while in advance of his men in
the midst of the fight Mistaking a party
of rebels dressed in Federal uniform for
our troops, he rode forward to ascertain
what they were, aud at half.range dis
tance was shot down by them. His reg
iment seeing him fall, raised yell, DASH
ed forward at a charge, regaining his
body and scattering the rebels in all d.
rections.
The loss in this regiment is twenty
nine killed and wounded. Captain II.
Randall, company d, killed, Capt. Hall,
A. severely wounded in the leg,
which he will lose; Capt Clark, company
H, seriously, and probably MORALLY,
wounded in the back; Capt. Smith. com.
pany Z, seriously wounded Adjt. Glen
dening. wounded in the head and thigh,
and had six or seven bullets through his
clothes.
Several other regiments, including the
4th aud 25th Iowa. lost more or less but