Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1866-02-16
HISTORY OF IOWA TROOPS.

the Rebellion" has favored us with ad
vance sheets of his forthcoming book
which Is now in press of J. b. Lippin
colt & Co., Philadelphia. The book will
be very creditable to the biographies
art, judging from the sheets before US
which are in every way calculated tt
please printers eye. The literary
character of the work is greatly to the
credit of the author, and to the honor oil
the State he represents. The style is
easy, simple and forcible, without sacri-
flee of truth to rhetorical figure, or the
palming OFF of sham sentiment and
bombast for honest feeling and reliable
fact.
The following is Mr.. Ingersoll's ain.
PRODUCTION" which will give the reader
an idea of the scope and character OF the
book, as well as of its claims in point OF
literary merit:
1t is my purpose to write history OF
the part taken by the troops of the State
OF Iowa in the war to suppress the
wicked rebellion against the Union,
which was commenced by traitors, in
the attack Oh Fort Sumter, in April,
1861, and which rebellion, CROWN, To
gigantic proportions, called forth t.
suppress it no insignificant power from
the least of the loyal States, and large
armies from the most of them. 1t ID
true, that in comparison OF the part
borne by the national troops in the war,
the part borne by the troops of any sim
gle State may justly enough be consid-
cred as unimportant. The fact is, the
waritself was of such magnitude, wheth-
CT considered in respect OF the geograph-
ical area over which il was waged, or
the number of the men sent to the field,
or its cost, that the notions of our peo-
pie have become, so to say, immense,
upon all subjects which have any the
least bearing upon warfare, and / am
not sure that my theme will be consld-
cred great enough for sober historical
composition, But if we travel back of
the present war in our history, we shall
find comparisons less magnificent, per-
haps in one sense; but not in reality.
The State of Iowa sent into the field,
for instance, during the war for the
Union, fully four times as many men
as General Scott had under his command
during the Mexican war; Iuhy ten
times as many as General Jackson com
manded when he won the victory OF New
ington ever had under command ut one
time, and very many more than he ev
err had under his immediate command :
about as many as composed the Army
OF the Potomac when 1t gained the bat
tie of Gettysburg. These Union tro Fps
from Iowa occupied conspicuous posi-
tons, carried many ilags. dropped from
their muster-rol!s in death and wounds
many comrades, in all the important
campaigns and battles of the west IN
those OF Sherman in the south east; OF
Candy in the south; and in those OF
General Saeriiin IN the Saenan totn
Valley. If the story OF their gallant
deeds be but molestly and truthfuily
told, it cannot be without interest or
without Importance.
Moreover, the sentiment of State pride
is one which, il | do not greatly err
ought to be cherished within proper
bounds. The fundamental law of the
nation gives no warrant for Il strong
government in the old meaning OF the
words, at Washington. The teachings
of our early statesmen have firmly fixed
in the minds OF the people the idea OF
State individuality, frequently called,
by the abuse both of language and OF
truth, State sovereignty. The doctrine,
with its exact limitations, is correct in
theory, an | is, besides, OF great practical
Importance. Misunderstood, m ,.lc-
tlced 1t may become, aS it ia, beco lie
IN the 50 Ioil, SeceS SION, treason. ~. nv
~ practiced, 1t makes OF our state III |
National governments a band o. br Ia
e.s AMI heneicent parent. v,e var
u.d IN Oh co erase ftom the publir m al
the neresy OF State sovc. 81 5nty, and 10
write in its place the truth, state
individuality. 1t is imp ,ssible TO forget
st.ta II in, Ia
sibe to forget that each state did it all
not for itself, but for American nation
atty. 1t will be understood, then, that
/ have undertaken this work with q
strong sentiment OF pride in the State
of Iowa, and with Il stronger sentiment
of pride that Iowa is an nonored State
of the American Union. | shall show
that Iowa has done its duty right man.
. fully and heroically, without the re.
motest thought that every other loyal
State has not done its duty right man.
fully and heroically. And, indeed, il
would be impossible for me to give a
clear and full description of the part
taken by Iowa troops ia the cam paiguS
either at the west or in the east, with
out honorable mention of their com rades
who marched by their sides, and whose
blood mingled with theirs Oh so many
battle-fieIds.
The bombardment of Fort Sumter
Apri! L., 1861, and its capituiation the
next day to the rebels, under the com.
mand of Beauregard, aroused the coun.
try to the highest pitch of Indignation
The cry of TO arms !" was heard every
where, from men OF all political parties.
The feeling was wellnigh universal
that the nation should avenksc the insult
by promptly waging war upon the in
surgents. The enthusiasm was great
all over the land, and, perhaps, greater
in the northwest than elsewhere. IN
that section there are but few persons
OF entirely sedentary pursuits. Very
many more men spend their days in
outdoor employments than indoor
vocations. Game is SO plenty that. those
of studious lives. and of the learned
professions, are tempted many days in
the year to go abroad into the braciny
breeZes OF the vigorous climate. West
ern muscles are tough and elastic, and
western nerves right firmly tuned by
reason Of much manly exercise. There
is no profession more combining than
that of the editor OF daily news paper.
The most successful editor of Iowa is
scarcely more distinguished for his in
dependent spirit and nervous para
graphs, than he is for his skill in catch
ing fish; whilst most OF our lawyers
anu DOCTORS are famous wArn..as *
pieces. a country where there is little
dyspepsia must needs be deeply enthu-
eiastic on proper occasions. Certain il
is. that the intelligence OF the fall OF
Fort Sumter aroused the martial feel
Ing to fine glow all over Iowa
The book will be reSdy about the lat
of March. Every Iowan should possess
himself of it. 1t will be sold only by
subscription at $3.50, and will contain
100 pages. In a peculiarly point OF view
the enterprise will not probably prove
one of profit to its author, from the sim :
pie fact that he is M allins his book too
expe sive, and selling it for less price
than he can afford to. However, as he
took hold OF the matter in the love OF it,
he is going to carry it through in the
love of it. And love is not always prof
liable i'm roliara and cantS