The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-04-04

Inc E1o8 Oh company n EIKot AVWO
Cavalry.
No Drawer man or truer soldier gave Iowa
to the country in the war Of the rebellion
than Col. w. N. G. Terrence; no more un-
sel6shly patriotic life was given to maintain
the unity of the Republic. Leaving our city
as Captain Of company A, First Iowa Cavalry,
he came back the commander of the regi.
ment, but the regiments dead commander;
fallen early in life and early in his service,
with his past full Of gallant achievements, and
his future full Of promise.
The following correspondence has been
handed us for publication. 1t was q fitting
mark of regard for their former Commander
that the veteran heroes Of company A should
give their flag, bright with its glorious history,
into the keeping Of the family of Col. Tor
renee.
KEoKuK, Iowa, March %, 1866.
Mas. ELLEN j. ToRRENcE-Nadam-In
compliance with the desire Of the members
of company A first Iowa Cavalry, Veteran
Company at Austin, Texas, prior to the
muster out of the regiment, on the 18th day
Of February, 1866, | have the honor to send
you herewith, the guidon which was presen-
ted to the company by the citizens Of Keo-
kuk on the 9th day Of July 1861, the day OF
their departure from this city, preparatory to
entering upon the active duties Of the field in
the service of their country. The flag of it.
self. in its present worn and tattered condi-
ton, does not possess any intrinsic value, but
there are associations connected with ito
history, which renders it dear to the heart Of
every soldier, who belonged to the organiza-
ton, as well as to you and your family. Upon
the organization of the company being dis
solved, they beqneathed it to you, rs a sacred
relic to be preserved jas your pleasure may
dictate. It is the guidon, around which the
| company often rallied in battle, and followed
| through many long wearisome and mean
iering march, the sight Of which, often d.
verting the attention Of the weary soldiers
from responding over the hardships Of the
| campaign. to the more pleasing recollections
! Of friends at home and his duty to his country.
Your deceased husband, Colonel William n
g. Terrence, being the FIRST Captain of the
company received it from the hands OF the
citizens with the pledge, simply, that ..before
this flag shall be trailed with dishoner IN the
dust, my wife will De widow and my chill
'lren fatherless,' which implied that patriotic
devotion to his country cause, which char
acterized his whole course, through q mill.
tary career full Of usefulness and honor, cut
short by the fatal bullet, which terminated
his life. After his promotion, this flag was
transferred to the special care Of each sue
ceeding Captain, End remained the property
of the company until the organization which
bound them together, through period Of
five years Of war, wns dissolved by being
honorably mustered out Of the service of the
United States, with victory GROWING their
efforts, and peace restored throughout the
land.
On laying of the habiliments of war, and
resuming their peaceful avocations at home,
they desire to have this flag deposited with
the family Of him, who first taught them the
art Of war, and first led them on to victory.
being able to place it there, with the proud
satisfaction Of knowing that, it never suffered
dishonor or defeat.
Please accept and preserve it as sacred
relic in your family, also as a token of graft.
tude and esteem from every member of com.
pany A, to the memory of the hero who is
now beyond the reach of human voice, and
altogether unmindful Of the mad discord that
RACES over his peaceful and silent slumbers,
in whom, when living, they always found q
true and faithful friend, commander dilK-
gent IN duty, wise in council, and brave in
the hour of danger. You can rest assured,
that none were more rejoiced upon hearing
of his gallant deeds and laurels gained on
distant battle fields, otter becoming connec.
ted with another regiment, and none mourned
more deeply his untimely end than company
A.
It would be too tedious to follow the mean.
dering history Of this flag MS connected with
the company, during their frequent engage.
ments and marches in the State of Missouri
in the year of 1861 and 80, in the State Of
Arkansas in the year of 1863 and "a, in the
States of Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana
and Texas, in the year of 1866 and &c.
But suffice it to say, that they were never
found in the background or permitted to suf.
fer from inutia. Their record Is such, that
all feel proud to say, they were members Of
company A. On behalf Of the members OF
the company depositing this memento in your
keeping, tender you and your family their
kindest regards and heartfelt sympathies in
your bereavement.
| have the honor to be, Madam, very
respectfully your obedient servant.
A. G. MCQUEEN,
Late Lieut. Col. 1st Iowa Cavalry.
and Brevet Col q. s. Vols.