The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1868-02-23
DUN DES MONIES ER.
Du MorHrs Iova Fab. % 1864

Das AorEEs, lows, Feb. ~, 1868
We had long heard Of the perfect order in
which the Military Department Of Iaya
wss kspt, but W must ~, that since orr
visitto AdjuAns General Bakers Office, ~
had orr opinions somewhat exalted, Is to the
perfect system in which the military records
Of our State are Kept To ono who has never
Jet examined the archives Of the late war. -
relates to orr State, We would advise them to
make trip to the Capitol especially for that
purpose. This building lately, erected nnder
the Supervision Of Gen. Baker, hiss been de-
scribed 70 often BY representatives Of the pres
from different parts Of The State, and by the
Generals Report, which has been scattered
the State by members Of the Leg
islasure, that We pass it, and will try to de.
scribe the contents of said building. As Jon
enter, your attention is first directed to the
immense piles Of boxes containing Enfield
Riaes, which occupy the larger part Of the
ground floor. Immediately in front Of the door
stands Gum Mortar or Quaker Gun, pre-
scented TO General Baker by Lieutenant Bond,
OF the 35th Iowa. This piece OF ordnance
vas manufactured by the boys Of the Sd Dir
vision, 10th Army Corps, and used in the
siege before Spanish Fort Alabama. II is
made out of the body ola green black Gum
tree, is banded With iye inch and half iron
bands, and rests on plate of cast iron, is
arranged somewhat like small Mortar, and
ii proved very efficient in the seige above
mentioned, as it could be carried mp to the
picket lines. and used BY expert gnnners, and
we're very dangerous customers TO secesh
rickets and skirmish lines. On the right as
you enter, yon will see suspended on the wall.
various mementoes of the siege Of Vieksbnrg,
in the shape OF shells, bullets, and under
meath these hangs the '.Gnerriila' favofite
rifle and Springfield musket, that wls I'M
lucky enough TO get shot through and through
at, or near the top band. Further on you
come to the fragments of the first reb.l
Flag raised over the State House, at Mont
gomery, Alabama, the day the session or.
diuance passed. sevenng Alabama. (as they
thonghr) from the confederation OF States.
The ladies of Montgomery would harlly re-
cognize the workmanship Of their hands, and
the rebel Fancy would, (if the devil should
permit him to visit this arsenal scarcely
remember the original design Of this flag. il
being so badly torn and disfgured. But
the Magnolia tree il still left, and the scroll
with blue field and one star, eneirclsd by the
word Alabams, is there, enough to show the
intention or design Of the originator.
There was grand time a, tha, fsg raising.
Thousands OF people were there, inrious
speeches were made by Ysncy, Wigfali. Moore,
lief. Davis and others, bands played Dixie,
and the people hoa:ed ha leiujahs, and well
history le!s yon hos ha, Gag came here.
To The lei. Of the door. you viii note the
Indian relics, captured and presented by Va
rioas members Of the Gin cavalry, 10 General
Baker. First yen come 10 the lent made Of
skins Indian Chiefs saddle cloth sgnaws
backskin dress with fringe qaiyer bos and ar
rows, war-club, cap and pouch, AMI iobae.
go pouch, made from skunk : skn; and
here again we cone TO relics of rebel harbai
rism. such as REVIEWERS, from the pira.eship
Alexannria, spars, knives, swords, and lastly
a rebel garrison Gag captured b. adetachment
of the 9Th Iowa cavalry in Tennessee This
must suffice for orr present description of the
armcrY, and now We mast ascend to Tue Adj
ja;ant Generals Office and take a look q, the
Flag Room. wherein hangs he different BAN
ners OF Iowa regiments. so far rs they hare
been obtained. Each regiment has place
assigned it, in its proper order, commencing
al the right baud corner Of the room as you
enter, thence running around the room to-
wards TIE left. We cannot parl.eulariize
the history OF each Gag, as leach
flag bears wreath, and each soldier Who de-
Tended il, his share of the renovn. But ioihose
Of your readers who have always felt that they
shared in the late war for the Union, this
room is ths most attractive feature ia The
State. Go read the inscriptions on these
Tags, and then examine the lists OF killed
wounded and missing in each Of those en-
gag nents. or 20 10 The baitleGe!ds, scattered |
over the fields cf,he Sunny South, ard count
The graves of Iowa's dead heroes, ard you
will then hare some idea shy The soldiers
.dores the flag he hered to sustain. II COS.
he life OF many brave man to sustain thai /
banner, and returnit wiihaat spot or bem- l
sh on Iowa fair fame.
DlzrrR.