The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-08-09

Officers and Soldiers Of the 17th Io,ra Yet
erdn Vol,nteers:
The time has at length arrived when the or
ganization known as the 18th Iowa IS to be
disbanded. Once more our land is blessed
with peace. The rebellion, for the suppress
sion of which you nobly volunteered your SER
vices, nay your lives, if need be, no longer
threatens the dismemberment Of our beloved
country. The stars and stripes, under whose
folds you have 80 often imperilled your lives,
now Aoat triumphantly over q free and undi-
vided Government This glorious result has
been accomplished by your sacrifices and
through your efforts, as worthy representa-
tives of the Grand Federal Army. Yours is
a proud title. Who of you could ask prouder
name than that you were a member of the 18th
1owa-a regiment which, though little known
in the newspaper world, bears upon the rec
ords of our country's heroes reputation for
gallantry and deeds of valor which viii cpm-
pare favorably with that of any other regi-
ment? A State the very name Of which is
synonymous with patriotism, as acknowledged
by our sister States @-yours is, indeed, proud
name.
Your work is now finished, your sacrifices
at are end, and very soon your Government,
grateful for the service you have rendered,
will restore you TO your homes and families
In contemplating the hour of our final sepa-
ration, cannot but feel that ties stronger and
dearer than mere military bonds, we're about
to be severed. For four years we have been
associated together, sustaining toward each
other the most pleasant relation possible in
military life.
l look back to the time when we bade adieu
to our families and friends, and side by side
went forth from our beloved Iowa to maintain
k.<xx ~<&fx,
a thousand stalwart men, such as few regi-
ments can boast. filed our ranks; before me
see a little band OF heroes, less then two
hundred, the last of that noble host of patri-
OTIS. And where are the rest? Some are at
home, manned and crippled for life; others
lie languishing upon beds of sickness, their
health destroyed and their constitutions bro.
ken. For the rest, ask Of the bloody fields of
battle, where, beneath the southern sod, rests
the bodies of your fathers, brothers and com
rades, who yielded up their lives upon the al
tar of their country.
Iuka, Carinih. RAYMOND. Jackson, Cham
pion Hills, Nicksburg, Fort Hill, Missionary
Ridge Resaeca, Tiiton, the march through
Georgia and the Carolinas, and the foul cells
of southern prisons, will each bear testimony
to your sacrifices and patriotic devotion 10
your country.
Are ties cemented thus, to be severed with
out pang? Surely not.
Again look back through the intervening
four years. and memory recalls our many
marches. ! think Of the hardships You have
endured with scarce murmur of your ready
obedience when duty called you; Of your
iaithfulness and noble bearing at all times,
and of the kind feeling which has always been
manifested by you, and my heart swelis with
a thrill of JOY and pride TO know that am one
of your number.
Are ties of such character Of little conse-
quence? ! tell you, 10. We may be sepa-
rated, and perhaps l shall never again see the
faces of many of my brave command, but
your names shall be cherished in my memory
so long as reason holds her seat.
Soon loved ones viii welcome you TO your
homes and hresides. Many will weep, as
your presence brings afresh to their minds
the image of those they loved, who went forth
with you, but who have fallen Tell them
they died the death of soldiers, facing the
leaden storm, III the front of the battle, while
nobly struggling for the right, and that theil
blood has rescued our couhtry from the dan
ger which threatened it.
Fellow soldiers, the future is before you.
| shall not presume to dictate the course you
shall pursue, Many persons imagine that il,
the life you have led during the past -four
years, you have acquired habits and imbibcC
spirit Of lawlessness which will unfit YOU fo
the quiet pursuits of civil life !; but will no
| believe that intelligent. thinking men, aetu
ated by the high and noble motives wlicl
you have eyinced during the time in which W,
have been associated in military capacity
can be aught else than peaoeable, aw-abidinl
ard industrious citizens.
| | will than Sfriya tn live IN yn,,- =, a n
sphere with the same propriety, and in tn
exercise OF the same intelligence and diserim
ination which have characterized your mill
tary life, and you need have no fears but ,ha
soon the popular prejudice against your NOR
ality and good citizenslip viii be entireI
t.isspated and overthrown. Go TO your peace
full homes and rest from your labors. an,
should our nation honor again be menaced
| know | shall see, foremost in the ranks Q
those who stand ready to maintain and pro
tect it against all its enemies or opposers, tn
18th Iowa.
And now, as soldiers Of the 18th Iowa Vet
Ieran Volunteer Infantry, bid you farewell
To both officers and men l return my heart
felt thanks, for yopr uniform kindness an
respect, and your implicit obedience to orders
whilst under my command.
May God blesssyou all, and may He, met
out to you in the future the happiness an
prosperity which your honorable deeds $
richly merit.
s. NJ. ARCHER, :
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding
1
Mexican and Texas News.