Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-08-11
soldiers Reunion.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
DeS MOines. August 3. 1870.

Des Moines, August 5, 1870.
Soldiers of Io,ca-GENTLEMEN:-
Five years have elapsed since the
authority of the Government was
re-established, and you laid aside the
weapons Of war and returned to
peaceful pursuits. In the contest
which then terminated, you bore no
unimportant part. Whether in the
never-beaten army of the Tennessee,
or in the other victorious legions OF
the Republic, the record Of your
deeds is proud one. In the perils
and the glories Of the battlefield,
and in the privations Of the camp,
your soldierly qualities were ever
conspicuous.
The years that have followed the
close of the con1icttell of your praise.
worthy although less conspicuous
triumphs, in the more quiet walks
of life, demonstrating in striking
manner the lofty character of the
citizen-soldier.
During these years of peace the
great questions, growing out Of the
contest of arms have been finally set
tied and the Union reconstructed on
an enduring basis; such, 1t is hoped,
as will prevent the possibility Of the
recurrence of civil war. In the en-.
joyment Of this profound and con-
tinued peace, and thankful for all its
blessings, it has been thought well
that the surviving soldiers of Iowa,
should come together again, not for
purposes Of military display, but to
spend short time in pleasant, social
intercourse, and to revive memories
and recount "Reminiscences of the past.
The General Assembly of the State
has made feasible such a meeting by
making an appropriation for the
object. l therefore, in the name OF
the State, extend a cordial invitation
to all the late soldiers of Iowa regi-
ments to attend general reunion to
be held at the Capital of the State on
Wednesday, August 81, and Thurs
day, September /. 1870.
The railroad companies of the State
have literally offered to compliment
the soldiers with a pass to and from
the place Of reunion; but the great
numbers who will avail themselves
of this liberality, will make it neces-
sary for the railroads TO use every
available vehicle for transportation.
Preparations for properly enter
tanning the honored guests of the
State are being perfected, and the
citizens of the Capital City will do
all in their power to do honor to the
occasion.
Advices already received indicate
that the proposed reunion will be the
largest assenblage ever held within
our State limits, and that greater
number of the volunteer soldiery
who took part in the late war will be
gathered together than at any time
or place since our armies were dis
banded. Every State military or.
ganization brought into existence
during the late struggle, every arm
of the service, will be represented.
Men who parted years ago, Mt the
return of peace, will meet again to
renew old friendships and memories
of battle-felds and skirmishcs, OF
weary marches and varied camp
experiences.
The number that will come is so
great that there will be little chance
for regular meals, or any kind of
rations, at the eating houses along
the several routes Of transportation.
I therefore suggest to all to startwell
supplied in this respect, depending
little upon anything to be obtained
on the lines of railroads.
Feeling confident thatevery soldier
will cheerfully do what is reasonable
to lessen labor and expense, the
Executive Committee desire that
each person shall bring with him a
blanket or shawl, tin cup, and a
knife and fork. Rations will be fur
nished, but they will necessarily
approximate those Of scamp life"
No uniforms will be required, but
badges designating your several arms
of service and numbers Of regiment,
it is expected, will be provided on
your arrival here.
The programme as to place Of
camp, the time and place Of Grafton,
speakers, line Of march, de-, will be
published as soon as all the arrange
ments are perfected. AS this assem-
blage Of veterans will attract an inn
rnausn coroof,rSn nj other cifiZf.na IL