Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-07-05

1t is well iha. Republicans should enter
upon the work Of the Campaign with clear
knowledge Of our standard bearer Col. Sam.
uel Merrill, Of Clayton county. We there
fore reproduce an article which appeared in
the McGregor Neus Of May 4,h, bearing up
Oh the history. character and services Of Col.
Merrill. Says the Nsrs:
AT present writing Col. Merrill occupies
prom ncnt position, and appears TO have
iatiering prospects Of success as a candI-
date for Governor. Possessing in an emf,
nent degree those qualities which FIT him foi
the efficient discharge OF the duties 0. Exec
utiye of our noble State earnest and true
Republicans are uniting upon him, as if BY
common consent, and without solicitation or
effort on his part, he stands a, the head Of
the somewhat lengthy list of prorninet gen
tlemen who have been named as aspiramts
for gubernatorial honors. To those familiar
with Col. Merril!'s private, polisicsl. and mil
iiary history, this decided expression Of feel
ing in his favor is not motter Of surprise.
His practical common sense, superior busi~
ness capacity, temperate and industrious
habits. aud unblemished reputation inspire
the fullest confidence that in his keeping
the proud name and great interests of the
commonwealth would not suffer, bu, be faith
fully guarded and protected. A considera-
ton OF his pas, life and public services i all
that IS necessary 10 produce conviction that
whatever be does will be well done. He is
now in the prime OF life, being about forty
five years Of age. A native Of the Stste o.
Maine. Ike many Of her sturdy sons who be-
gan life without fortune, be studied and
taught by turns until he had completed his
education, and was ready to commence the
business Of life. Possessed Of no capital
other than good name, industrious and
moral habits, and honest purpose to succeed
by his own efforts, be entered mercantile lite
In New Hampshire and soon established
lucrative business and an excellent reputa-
ton as merchant and citizen. At that
time New Hampshire was democratic
State. but young Merrill having been born
and bred an aboii,iopist remained true TO
his an,i-slavery Convictions and as conse
quenc, in an almost hopeless minority until
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise line
and the Kansas Nebraska troubles worked
revolution in public sentiment, when be was
twice elected TO the legi lature rs an aboli>
zionist, and aided in the election of John p
Hale to the United States Senate. and the
redemption # New Hampshire from misrae,
under which i; had been tor nearl, fortv cen
secuiive years. We say that Col. Merrill
Was born an abolitionist. His father was
supporter Of james G. Biruey for the Presi-
dency and wor.ed in the antl-slavery cause
when not one vote in a hundred could be
found for that side. The record of the son
has been equally consistent and true on the
question of human liberty. Ia l66l-6l,
VI rrill served in the legislature of Iowa.
When the late sanguinary war commen
ced, Merrill took a deep interest in the Tn
ion cause. His grandfather had been a
loyal American soldier in the war for Inde-
pendence and his father in the war af 1912,
and following their example. be entered the
service in the summer OF 1862 as lionel
Of the 2lst Iowa Infantry and served with
distinction until disabled by wounds which
necessia.ed his Retirement from the service.
The first important engagement in which
the regiment participated was the battle OF
Har,s,ile, Missouri, whore Col. Merrill in
command Of less than one thousand men,
composed of detachments of the 2lst Iowa.
99th Illinois, Sd Iowa cavalry. Sd Missouri
cavalry and two pieces of artillery, met and
successfully repulsed four to FIVE thousand
rebels, having FIVE pieces Of artillery, com.
manded by Generals Marmaduke aud Ne.
Donald, and Colonels Shelby. Thompson.
Porter, Burbridge, Heukle. Jeffrey and
Campbell. The battle commenced about ii
O'Clock, A. ~. and lasted until nearly night,
but Notwithstanding the disparity OF mum,
bers. the skillfal disposition and manage.
meut OF the Union forces enabled the Colo
nei TO maintain his position and successfully
repel the attacking columns Of the rebels.
The rebels los. Gen. MeDonald, Colonies
Thompson and Henkle and several officers
killed, aud not less than three hundred kills
ed and wounded The Union loss was seven
KILLED, sixty four wounded. fye ca,,nred
aud two missing. In this, their first engage
meut, the officers and men of the lis, Iowa
behaved with great cooiness and galantrv
aud won reputation for courage, on the |
battlefield, which they maintained to the end |
Of the war. The mex, engagement, Of i'm |
portance in which the regimen, participated |
was at Port Gibson, where "the 2lst Iowa. |
Col. Merrill commanding. was the first in
the battle and the las, to leave the field
During the afternoon of this engagement. |
Col. Merrill commanded brigade, aud had !
his horse sho, unoer him. For his conduct
on this occasion lie received special mention |
and high compliments from Gen. Carr. the |
division commander. AT the last battle of
Big Black Bridge. Col Merrill bravelv led |
his regiment through u storm OF bullets in |
the charge Of the 2ist and 25d Iowa, which !
carried the enemy's works, and was severely |
and dangerously wounded. The less sus !
tanned by the 2is, Iowa, in this brilliant and /
daring movement. out ofless than three han- /
dred engaged, was thirteen killed and seven
,y wounded.
Suffering severely for many months with |
his wounds, which untitled him for the &C.
tive duties of the field, Col. Merrill retired /
from the service and has since been Presi-
dent of the First National Bank. McGregor. t
He has now been a resident ard citizen of |
our State for about eleven years and is a
thorough Iowa man in feeling and interest,
and fully conversan, with her wants and ne
eessiiies. As a private citizen and legisla>
tor he has ever taken deep interest in the
development Of her great resources and
more especially in building up and estab>
fishing upon a solid and enduring basis. her
educational and benevolent institutions. As
a legislator he was distinguished as prac-
teal work rathe, than as a talker. In
fact. speaking is not his forte. and as .
s,umper be would not attain distinction but
though not an eloquent stump speaker nor
professional politician he is something more
"a true man in the highes, aecepsa,ion of
the term. temperate, industrious. honest, re.
liable, efficient and capable. lie " oald no,
make g fussy' or SNOWY Governor. but
his sound judgment combined with his leg
islative knowledge and experience would en-
able him TO discharge the duties oil the office
with credi, to himself ard profit TO The State.
In politics i, will be seen that he is an old
fashioned radical, who did not shrink from
the odum tina, once attached TO the term
: Abolitionis',' but stood firm and true to
principle when strong men bent before the
arrogant and dictatorial slave power. Asa
soldier his seryi .es were such as to deserve
recognition BY the State he honored. In
short, il the people want as Governor, a NOR
n. upright. honest man. rsefal and highly
respected citizen, radical Republican Of
abolition an,ecederts, and a gallant Iowa
soldier whose past, private and public life. |
Affords an undoubted guaranty that the af
airs Of the State will be administered eff. {
'ienils. pruicntly and faithfully. they cannot
10 better than 10 nominate aud elect COL {
Merrill
A bachelor walking up Penn street.
picked up thimblc. He /,
tood while meditating on the proba-
,Ia baautv nf' tho o-na. ,,-h.. L. |