Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1870-08-12
soldiers Reunion.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, |

lies MOINES, aug. ., lSfV.
Soldiers of IoWa--G -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 terminal you bore no
unimportant part. Whether In the
never beaten army of Tennessee, or
i'm the other victorious legions. of the
Republic, the record of your deeds is
"A proud one. In the perils aud glo-
ries of the battle~fleld, and i'm the
| privations Of the camp, your soldiery
| qualities were ever conspicuous.
The years that have followed the
close of the conflict tell of your
praise worthy though less conspicu-
Gus triumphs, in the more quiet
walks of life, demonstrating in a
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
settled and the Union constructed on
an enduring basis such, Ii is hoped,
as will prevent the possibility of the
| recurrence of civil war. In the en-
| joyment of the profound and contin-
ued 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, soci-
al Intercourse, and to revive memo.
ries and recount "reminiscences OF
the past. The General Assembly of
the State has made feasible such a
meeting by making an appropria
tion for the object. 4 therefore, in
the name OF the State, extend q cor
dial invitation to all tile late soldiers
of Iowa regiments 10 attend a gener.
al reunion to be held ut the capital
of the State on wednesday, August
81, and Thursday, September 1 1870.
The railroad companies of the
State have literally offered to COM
pliment 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 1t necessary for the rail-
roads 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
| occas on.
Advices already received indicate
that the proposed reunion Will be
the largest assemblage ever held
within our State limits, and that n
greater number of the volunteer
soldlery who took part in the late
war will be gathered together than
at any time or place since our armies
were dishanded. Every State milit
airy organization brought into exist
ence during the late struggle, every
arm of the service will he represent
ed. Men who parted wears ago, at
| the return of peace, will meet again
to renew old friendships and nlemo-
ries OF battle. fields and skirmiahes,
of weary marches and varied camp
experiences.
The number TINT will come Is so
great that there will he little chance
| for regular meals, or any kind of ra.
tions, at the eating houses along the
several routes of transportation.
therefore suggest TO NIL to start well
supplied in this respect, depending
| little upon anything To he obtained
on the lines of railroads.
| Feeling confident that every sol.
| dier will Cheerfully do what is rea-
sonable to lesson 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
furnished bat they will necessarily
| approximate those of camp life. -
| No uniforms will be required, but
badges designating your several
arms OF service and number of regi.
! ment, IL is expected, will be provid-
ell Gn your arrival here.
The programme as to place OF
camp, the time and place of Grafton,
speakers, line of march. &C., will he
| published NJ soon as all the arrang.
ments are perfected. As this assem-
blage of veterans will attract an i'm.
mense concourse OF other citizens, II
may not be improper for me to sug.
gest that all such bring their rations
with them and prepare to camp out
rs facilities for entertaining indoors
i'm any city In our State, would ht
entirely inadequate on such an occa
sion. @
AS Governor OF the State I desir,
to express the hope that all vii
unite their Lest efforts TO make tn,
Re union success, not only IN
numbers, but in enthusiasm aud for
getfulness of what ever inconvenien
ces they may be subjected to in 81
great an assemblage of people. lie
our joy and emotions in meeting ou
old comrades be regulated by desir
that nothing shall occur upon whicl
amy one can look back except Will
pleasure. SAM'L MERRILL,
Governor.