The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-01-07
Belknap's Grafton.

cent grafton ut the Chicago Reunion.
The private slider Geo. Reynolds, to
whom such just tribute is given,
belonged to ''D' Co. 18th Iowa, Mai.
Porter's) and resides now nearl Cen
treville. We regret that our limited
space forbids our publishing the en-
tire speech.
"And now, comrades of the Army
Of the Tennessee, we willingly
weave the cypress with the laurel
that enshrines the memories OF the
thousand of our own command,
whose valor in action, ever conspic-
u0ns, remain remembered, though
their last fight has been fought, and
their camp is with a command
higher than any they ever served
here. We do not number them, nor
can we tell Of all. but drums will
cease to beat, and bugles to blow,
ere their example be lost. Their
military life is written. The records
Of the rebellion have closed their pa
ges for them; but while there survives
one of his division he will recall the
form and features ofIowa's Croker,
as in the heat of action, chivalric
and inspired by the excitement, he
gave his whole soul to the cause
Like us, the people of his State pro-
tect his memory. and in every house
and home upon its prairies his hon
ored name is household word. The
sons of Illinois fail to find at their
gatherings the form of their loved
Ransom. With heart as gentle as
woman's it Vas full of that old Ro.
man fire, which, gathering its inspi-
rations from the martial scenes
which surrounded it, gave to his
mild eye unwonted light and to this
noble gentleman the mien and atti.
tade and aspect of the born soldier.
Both Of them survived many hard
fought fields, to die a death, so I'm
welcome TO a soldier-the one sur
rendered by friends at home; the
other away from its comforts and at
tentions, with his last hours soothed
by those who, on his staff, had learn
ed to love him; but to the last, both
remembered the companions of their
campaigns, and with the final beat
ings of their hearts, sent to us all,
the soldiers last farewell.
Since our last meeting another one
has gone, who but twelve months
ago with us listened to the address OF
our chief, at our annual meeting-an
officer Of our society-one of its
Vice Presidents-he gave it his inter
ested attention, and was a prompt
attendant at it's meetings. The
wound received at Shiloh, apparent
~ yielding to treatment, was gradu.
ally sapping the foundation Of his
lite, and with the sons IF his State
we lament the absence of Wisconsin L
Fairchild.
And, while, we cannot tell of all
we remember that there is yet an
other. Near his boyhood's home, at
Clyde, Ohio, rests all that is mortal
of Mop herson, our third commander
From the front of the action in full
sight of the foe, booted and spurred
he went into the presence of the God
l of Battles. Of magnetic influence Of
courtly presence, and of extraordina
~ military ability, he was a knightly
soldier. Near him, as he fell, in the
battle of Atlanta, July %, 1864, wal
a wounded private, George D. Rey-
nolds, ofCompany d, Fifteenth Iowa
Though pressed closely by the enc.
my, this gallant boy refused to for
sake his fallen General. From his
own canteen he gave water to those
he supported the dylng neros neau
from those eyes, ere they became lus
treless forever, he received thai
glance of thankful recognition which
beyond all promotion. was his tull
reward; and as that great heart ceas
ed its beating he felt the last faint
grateful pressure of his commanders
hand. For Mop herson, death came
Just as it should-amidst the crash Of
musketry and the booming of heavy
guns; and his comrades of the Army
Of the Tennessee, loving him in his
heroic life and honoring him in his
early death, bound upon his youth
full brow q laurel crown, and sent his
fame to history.
The numbers of Confederate dead
upon that field were silent but sure
witnesses that his army under the
command and dashing leadership O
Logan, avenged the death of theil
honored chief His successor in that
command has an empty sleeve as the
unimpeachable badge Of his heroism
and by the oppressed every where
honor is done to that Howard whose
well earned reputation during the
war shines as brightly as do hit
philanthrDpic endeavors among
scenes of peace.
What must have been the feelings
of our second commander when, foul
years ago last month, severlng the
Geographic wires as they sent off his
and our last message-"alrs well"-
ne DrOKo tn0 laSC oar OI iron WnlcE
bound his army to their Northern
home. The measure of his fame was
nearly full. The admiration of the
age had crowned the accomplishment,
Of his success at Atlanta with gener.
GUS praise and high up on the column
of tie worlds great Captains was in
scribed the name of Sherman. Reli
ant upon the confidence of his army
and grasping with his genius the
future of the rebellion, as it was map
ped out before him he commenced
that march which to all time will be
told as "Sherman's March to the
Sea"-and as he turned his face to-
ward the ocean, q long line Of depart
ing locomotives. as with their living
freight of weak and wounded they
moved to the North, whistled and
shrieked out to him their last fare
well. Marching to the sea he added
to the nations Christmas gifts, foul
years ago this month, the city oil
Savannah q little later he captured
the capital Of South Carolina, and
compelled the surrender of Johnston's
baffled army-every where and al
ways stamping on bis plans the mark
Of genius, on the execution the signet
Of q determined will, and, wherever
he NAV be. finding q welcome home