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

enemy and gained the great battle
of July %, 1864. In this action one
foil who was beyond fear and above
roproac6; who won your hearts by
his courtesy, and, by his influence,
drew from you deeds of valor.
Mcpherson died "a noble youth"
comfortcd in his last hour by tho
plain words of an humble private,
and with his head resting on an Iowa
soldiers arm. Ono of tho three corps
most heavily engaged there was led
BY an iowa soldier. The Ma ton
owns the rame, but the State CLAIMS
the fame Of Granville NJ. Dodge.
At Vicksburg, in many encounters
they beat the foe, and on the Nations
happiest day sent to tho North the
tidinge Of new triumphs. At Nash
ville--as wo speak the name there
comes to us the memory OF that solid
soldier who knew no State but the
United States, and who died mourncd
by his Army and tho National
Nashville, with Thomas, like tho
rock which stands the storm, they
were invincible. In the campaigns OF
Louisiana, cheerful amid disaster and
hopeful in trouble, they ever upheld
the honor Of the flag. In tollsomo
labors and marches In Arkansas and
Missouri they bore active part; on
the field of Prairie Grove they re-
membered tho State of their F,ve and
added to her fame at Helena, on July
4, against superior numbers, under
their keeping the banner of the stars
became q flag of victory; at Win
chester and Cedar Greek, with their
brothers from the Atlantic slope, un
der him who taught all fighters how
to fight-Sheridan-they rallied
when the lines were brokon, and
with renewed enthusiasm achieved,
among the veterans of the East, q
rank they never lost. Besiegcd at
Allatoona, they stood their ground as
if they had been fastened, and in the
face Of overwhelming numbers won
q victory than which thero is mono
more brilliant in the war. When at
Atlanta the lines were cut, giving a
last farewell to returning comrades,
and a last look toward home, they
marched down to the sea with the
advancing columns Of the victorious
Sherman. For years to come the
trees OF the forest where their march
was made will bear the marks OF
axes which slashed through the
woods the road on which they moved,
and blazed on the trees the emblems
of those corps which made the march
triumphal. Under the command Of
Grant, the General, your forces were
guided to browning victory. The
people gave him higher honors, title
to which his own achievements won,
and now under tho Presidency of
Grant, tho citizen, You follow in
tranquility the peaceful pursuits of
life.
At the surrender of the Southern
armies, and when all was over, and
the days of fighting and foraglng
were done, in grand review We see
them march proudly BY, cheered by
the resounding shouts of welcoming
thousands, saluted by statesmen,
wrcathed with flow by fair hands,
and as they march of to final camps
receiving, with their companions of
other States, who with them had en-
dured these tolls and won those VIC
tories, the generous approval of
grateful people. Many, though, were
missed from that review. The part
ing made long years before was never
made again. There are vacant pla-
COS in many homes. Far away from
the comforting consolation of tender
hearts and the blessed touches of
tender hands, one and another and
another breathed their lives away.
She'll burst around them, but they
needed them not-musketry resoun-
ded, but they made no sign. They
heard no earthly shouts of victory,
for they had gone to rest forever in
another camp. Tears of affection
wero shed for them at home. The
incidents of the last farewell were re-
called and the hero's manly attri-
butes rchearsod by his friends and
kindred. Tho final separation gives
its grlefs to stricken iiuarts, bat thoy
rejoice in the knowledge that death,
when it closed their lips. hushed tho
voices of horoes and gave them to
honorcd graves.
Its out OF the power of man to
weave fitting chaplet for the brows
Of all our dead heroes. We remom-
Der the manly form of Curtis, who
left the councils of tho Nation and
gave back to the country the educa-
ton she had freely given. He sur
vived the shock of battle but died in
tho midst of duty. You recall the
of another who, in this
capital, moved masses with his elo-
quence-a soldier by education and
nature, his eye flashed fire in action,
and his magnetic presence impaired
An influence which nerved the falter-
ing. His reputation is the States, |
and the mon of his famous Iowa |
Brigade drop many tears to the
of Marcellus M. Croker.
There was Matthies, soldier in |
every sense-chivalric, active, ear
nest. The land of his adoption no |
loved 90 if it were his own. The i'm.
pulsive bravery of his spirit urged
him to arms. He died, too, from
but no more gallant officer
ever drew sword.
There was Wentz, too, who came
over the sea and on the field of Bel |
mont sealed his devotion with his
life. Worthington, who, born on
southern soil, early among the EARL
est proved that his love Of country
was far beyond attachment to !. sec
tion. Not on the field of battle hut
in tho line Of duty he fell, mourned
by an army and leaving his children
the legacy of q patriotic name
Mcfarland we all remember. Prom
irent in legislative councils, he soon
won for himself soldiers reputa
ton, and from the midst OF action
went to soldiers reward. Names
rs we COON, and there looms
up tho tall form Of Terrence, as |
heard him say "Before this flag shall
ho diarrocad my wifo will ho q vvid