The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-09-01

side. He rested on his blanket bed
weary and worn down, and yet the
call Of "fall-in" came only to be obey-
ed. On tho march, foot.sore and
tired, at the word forward" he NOV.
ed as fresh as ever. On picket in
the night he watched from his post
when others slept who had no weari-
moss like his. On the skirmish limo,
whore death was in every flash, no
watched for the army's lite as for his
own In tho battle he would como
| up TO the work In . fire Of musketry
strong enough to destroy every YES
tigc OF lie, with the progressing con-
hict his movement grew more earnest
and his eye moro bright. Regard
Hos Of sell, anxious for victory, with
hope,of no reward save that which
assisted conscience gives, with no
ambition save the aspiration for sue
cess, blaoksned with powder, worn
with toll, but true as steel, his shouts
Of defiant heroism would sound with
the true ring, and % the recedlng
firs told of the enemy's breaking
lines, the cheers Of triumph, sweep.
ing along, would swell with his own
voice % he joyfdlly realized the part
he had borne. We have been there
and have seen him where she'll burst
around and solid shot rolled by his
side; whore the screaming missiles
from twenty pound PARROTS crashed
through the trees, and Kissing minies
whistled of death; where, in rifle-pits
he gave warning Of the approaching
foe; on long marches whore at every
halt sleep came at oncej through
swamp and morass where branches
and vines and thorns wero interlaced
10 labyrinths; with trains and batter
les on new roads his tired hands had
made; growing sometimes, but a.
ways advancing a. = soldier should.
They astonished themselves by their
achievements, they endcared them.
selves to the country BY their de.
| fiance Of danger, they gave to sold.
iers beyond the sea subjects for
thought, and they signalized them.
selves - possessing endurance be.
yond limit, bravery beyond question,
and soldierly intelligence beyond
example, qualities which will ever
mark, in history, the character OF
the American Volunteer.
In this State the authorities were
energetic and active. The regiments
% they came were hurried to the
field and the devoted efforts of
Governor Kirkwood at the beginning
and during greater part ofthe war,
the patriotic labors of Governor
Stone at . later period, together with
the systematic organization, perfect.
ed to complete success by an Adju.
tant General whose famefor efficiency
has gone everywhere with the mill.
tary name Of tho State, Nathaniel B /.
Baker, gave combined impulse to
the ardor of our citizens, which bore
30 great Q share in Iowa's war record.
As the first troops moved to the
field there followed them the hopes
Of those who had loved them from
youth, and had watched them with
pride, while many, unused to martial
movements and doubtful Of the re-
suit, felt in their quiet homes the
unexpressed, though none the less
oppressive apprehension. They had
not long to wait, for the lightning
soon flashed the intelligence Of q
conflict which, among the earlier
battles of the West, made it's mark
as being most hotly contested; which
told to the land that beyond the
Mississippi were soldiers, young in
service, yet gallant in action which
lifted up tho hearts of the earnest
and the dropping. spirits Of the des-
pondent; which gave to Iowa fame
for national fidelity which has never
been 0bscured, and placing her in the
line of Commonwealth Of the North
west, high among the highest, as she
offered as her part Of the commenc-
ing military history Of the Republic
the gallant deeds Of the Iowa First
ut Wilson's Greek. They never failed
nor faltered. Fresh from thoir
homes, they impressed tho influence
of their daring on the rising soldiers
of the State, they gave the reputa-
ton OF their name to its military
records, and there will be- told in
histories of the war, long after they
have Como, the legends of tic men of
Iowa who fought on the field where
Lyon fell. With the result of this
battle the standing of the State in
connection with the war was estab-
lished, and those in other commands,
nerved to bravery and urged to high
deeds by the example thus nobly
made for them, with generous emu-
lation strove to rival their achieve
ments, and fastel moro firmly the
distinction which had been so happi-
ly gained. The bravery of tho 7th
Iowa, before tho close Of the first
year of the war, in the battle of
Belmont, gave renewed assurance OF
that proves which commanded con-
fidence and fixed in the public mind
conviction of success.
While doubt still fingered, and
while forebodings, now difficult of
realization, imagined failure, the
thunder of the guns Of another en-
gagen emit filled the AIR, and from
another field near the banks Of the
Cumberland the happy tidings were
waited to the West of charge
which completed the victory Of Don
olson, and gave to our State renewed
renown, and to an Iowa regiment the
well-won honor of being called in
orders sthe bravest ofthe brave"
At the distance Of years We can
look with impartial Judgment and
tell OF the deeds Of her sons with
pride and satisfaction. The marches
Of the war most known ia its history
especially in the West, found her bat
taliou conspicuous in the front. Bull
letins sent home from battles the
names ofmany Of her sons marked
with honorable mention, and, too
often, bore to friends the notice Of q
heroic death, while, in sieges Of long
duration, they labored with the rest.
Besides the Eve regiments called
out for special service in 1864, and
the Goth regiment Of colpred troops
made up largely here, all Of which