The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-12-27

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the profoundest regret in this sity, and w'l
throughout the Stats and the country, WITH
The history Of which, in peacs and war, Gen.
Cusrrs has markedly connected himself His
varied services in civil and military place have
made for him wide reputation, and thus many
communities will deplore his death.
In this biographical notice we make no
apologies for transferring here the major por>
ton Of the sketch Of him given in Captain
Stuart,s History of "Iowa Colonies and
Regiments. It was written while General
CuRris was yet alive, and with the promise
Of many years before him, that could not
have failed TO have been alike honorably and
usefully employed. The author above named
said
"Samuel Ryan Curtis, Iowa's distinguished
stasess.en and soldier, was the second colonel
and ~ irst general officer appointed from
the 6tale. He is Iowa's first and Oldest ma
tiee. general, and, at the time of entering the
service, was more widely known than any
other officer sent out from the State; for, al
most from the States infancy, he has stood
prominent aaasng her public men,
General oesrIs was born on the 81 day O
February 1907. He was native of Licking
county, Ohio.
"He was educated at the West Point Mill
tary Academy, where he held the highest
military Office in his class. Graduating IL
1881, with a breyet second lieutenancy in the
It'll Infantry, he Was soon after assigned te
duty at Fort Gibson in the Indian Territory
In the following year, he resigned his COM
mission, and returning to Ohio, studied law,
and was admitted to the bar. From 1887 to
1889, he was chief engineer Of the Muskin
gum River improvement. Later hepracticed
law in Wooster, Ohio, and was actively and
successfully snsagSt IN the practice, when
wsr was declared with Mexico. 40 was nov
| Summoned to Columbus by the Governor Of
Ohio, aud made Acknowledgement of that
State; and not long after was commissioned
colSnel Of the Sd Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
which he led to the field.
"He served on the Northern Line in Mex
leo under General Taylor, and was for time
ousthe staff of General Wool; and, IS gov.
ernor, commanded the cities of Matamoras,
Camargo and Ssltillo.
"At the close of the war, he returned to
Ohio but finding his law business had vast
ed away during his absence, and being urged
to take the position of chief engineer of the
Des MONIES Improvement, he left III at State,
and coming West, settled in Keokdk, Iowa.
Herwas for time engaged in the pHa ctice Of
the law in the city of Keokuk, and had for
partners Colonel j. w. Rankin and The Hon.
Charles Mason. From 1850 to 1858, he was
engineer in. charge Of the harbor and other
works Of the city of ST. Louis, " here the
dyke that he constructed, which connects
Bloody Island to the Illinois shore, will, for
many years hence, stand a monument to his
credit. 1t secures to the city q St. Louis
great commercial advantages. During the
two following years, he was chief engineer Of
the American Central Railroad, running
through Illinois, Iowa, and other States.
ain 1856, General Curtis was elected to
Congress from the First Congressional Dis.
trici of Iowa, aad in 1858, and again in 1860,
was reelected from the same district. In
the canvass Of 1860, his opponent was the
Hon. C. c. Cole, now Judge Of the Supreme
Court Of Iowa, and one of the ablest deba-
tors and most popular men in the State. No
better proof could be had of the general
ability as q statesman, and of the integrity
OF his record, than this final endorsement OF
him by the people; indeed, nearly every sec,
ton Of his District gave him increased ma
jorities.
"From the organization OF the party, be
has been au earnest and consistent Republi.
can but that for which he became most dis.
tinguished in Congress was the part he acted
in securing the passage of the Pacific Rail-
road Act. Others have claimed the honor,
but he il the father Of this enterprise, as is
evidenced by his elaborate speeches and dem.
onstrations Of record in the annals Of Con.
gress. should also add that he was lead
ing member of the Committee on Military
Affairs He had, | am credibly informed,
much to do with the efforts Of the House, in
countervailipg the schemes of JEFF. Davis, in
his manipnlations Of our military forces to his
base purposes.
General Curtis patriotism was always fer
vent, and though others have made more
brilliant reputation in the war, none respond
ed more promptly 70 the first call Of national
alarm aud, may add, none hare led armies
and fought BATTLES ,rifh more uniform success.
Leaving his home in the West on the first
news OF The attack on Fort Sumter, he starts
ed for Washington and, meeting at Phla-
delpha the gallant eth New York, Colonel
Leferss, embarked with it on transports for
Annapolis, From that point the march was
made through the heat and dust by day and
night to Washington. Returning to keokuk,
he assisted in raising volunteers, and was, on
the 1st OF June, elected colonel of the I'd
Iowa Infantry, the first three>years regiment
from the Siaiel by the unanimous vote of the
officers and men. Ten days later and at
midnight, be was summoned by General Lyon
by telegraph to Northern Missouri, and
marched next day with his regiment for that
point. Besides capturing many prisoners,
guns, &C., he established at once in Northern
Missouri the military authority of the Fede-
raj Government.
!" In the latter part of June, he left again
for Washington to be present at the fourth
session Of Congress, and while there was
made brigadier.general. He now resigned
his seat in Congress, and, reporting at St.
Louis, Missouri, was soon after placed in
command, first Of Jefferson Barracks, next
of the Comp of instruction at Benton Bar
racks, and finally of the st. Lonis District.
While holding TIE last named command, the
President devolved on him the duties con.