The National tribune., 1883-10-18
LET TIE BANDS PLAY!
A ROusing Reunion Of Iowa Veterans
at KeOkuk.
Special Correspondents National Tribune.

III y
and Sixtieth u. S. c. T., which began here
on the Sd inst, was grand success. At sun
rise on the Sd, the second annual Reunion OF
fhe veterans Of the late war was ushered IN
with the boom Of thirteen guns, awakening the
CITY 10 the fact that the hospitalities promised
the soldier boys were about to be sought for.
The reception committee, with bands, met
each train as il arrived and escorted the boys
to the camp where, at , p. m, General Nm.
W Belknap on of keokuk's most gallant
soldiers and honored sons, who had been Sc
lected as president Of the day, opened the
exercises. iufnsing life and interest into all the
speeches by his pleasant introductions. Prayer
was offered by Rev. DR.. J. D. Sands chaplain OF
the Nineteenth Iowa infantry, who was fol-
lowed by Major George d. Rand, who delivered
the address of welcome. General Belknap next
introduced General John W. Noble, late colonel,
Third Iowa cavalry, saying: / know the boys
Of the Third Iowa cavalry viii start and wei
come him with three rousing cheers which
they did General Noble responded TO the
address Of welcome in an eloquent speech,
after which Colonel David Moore, of the
TBentv-frst Missouri infantry. made a short
speech and then a letter expressing great
regret at not being able 10 attend was
read from General John A. Logan, when
General BeIknap said: As j am ordered
TO carry out this programme, and as am the
next one set down for an address, have pre-
pared an extemporaneous speech beforehand"
General Belknap then proceeded as follows:
GENERAL BELKNAP's ADDRESS.
FELLOW SOLDIERS: This anniversary Of the
battle Of Corinth Is a glad hour for us
The war once reality, with its cares and labors
and dangers, has become but q recollection: Win
its harsiler features pered 10y time Its hardshlps
softened by the lapse Of years and It's camp-hres,
its hours OF pleasure and its better scenes recalled
with 10Y. while what there Was o. suffering Il al
most lost among those pleasanter memories.
Wherever soldiers meet there comes welcome
no hon IA
the hand Of affection not there 10 smooth the
pillow Of the sufferer, ia the hospital there were
no greetings from loved ones when duty was Wen
done and $40 laurols from fair HANDS crowned the
brow OF the victor. Hearts Were lender, but
hands Were rough, and the consciousness OF duty
well performed WAS the only reward which cheeTed
fhe men as they rested from the work OF the con
fiiet. But now you have your reward IN the glad
approval Of your friends at home Ia the warm
greeting given you by your old comrades, IN the
grasp OF real affection which comes 10 you in well
come, and IN The smiles which fsll upon you nom
loving faces TO brighten now the road through
life Oh which you march. Happy are these days
IN which you can meet to tell the stories Of the
war, 10 sing the songs OF the camp TO fehi AGAIN
III words the battles OF years Ggo whose guns long
since were laid away m silence 10 speak OF COM
rades dear 10 you by association. IN march and
fight, who fell on the field and Of those who gone
beyond your reach since the war closed, left for
Their children the record of their manly lives.
What, thoagh the days were often dark. the
raions poor and scanty and blankets tniil, what
care rou for that now? Not remembrance Of
your martial life wouid you eilace from memory,
not tired step winch You tDGk on that great
march through The SouIh n your country S cause
would you wish untFod Giadsare you now that
in the time of the Nations greatest trial when she
called 10 You you answered. and under The orders
of Grant, that matches leader who never forgot
friend. and Sherman. who led you through the
South from the river 10 the sea, you with the vol
unteoss from the great Northwest, did your duty
wei.
The general then gave q glowing description
OF the Reunion OF Croczer's Brigade at Cedar
Rapids, and continued as follows:
You miss the familiar faces and the manly forms
OF many comrades The soldiers of Iowa gathered
here recall the forms and presence Of Baker and
Mills Of the Second infantry. and kiayne OF the
Third cavalry. ana Neryboid OF tie Fourteenth.
and Newton and Enstzeep Of the Seventeenth, and
Mcfarland of the Nineteenth. and Abbott and Tor
renee OF the Thiriieth, and horney and Russell Of
the Tenth Missouri and KING Of the Twenty-iirst
missouri and Collins OF the iNtieth United States.
and that innulnersble number Of officers and en-
listed men Of these regiments, who field. in ae-
t7on 10 hospital ana IN prison. enrolled their names
on that immortal list which tells 10 their descend
ants OF coming generations the story Of their hon
ored death Those OF Us who fought under Grant
and Sherman and Mcpherson VIII never be forget
3ul Of them for they not fOrgetful Of US, and
when that noble gentleman" Mcpherson, fell
even the enemy mingled their regrets with ours
With heart as tender as girls II was still full o.
that determined vaior which gave 10 his mild eye
unwonted light and to his manly form the men and
attitude and aspect OF the born soldier his statue
nj Washington, erected by the Army Of The Ten
nessee, perpetuates his name.
Without the men who bore the musket where
would the country be to-day? In solid lines facing
The fire Of the enemy with courage, daring the
dangers of the picket line and facing the cannon.
ading of heavy guns, regardless OF pay or promo
ZION, they did their duty 10 the last.
And now the greeting, my comrades, which yoT
receive, the decorations OF these streets. and the
smiles Of the fair women who wave their hands il
welcome, give TO you the great reward. You have
Che proud honor Of knowing that the record of you
deeds, written IN letters that cannot be effaced
Will grow brighter with the years and last as Ions
as time itself
The following poem, written especially fo
the occasion by r. B. B. Wood, was then read
Fall back and let the veterans pass,
This is the soldiers day;
They need no tinsel show of brass,
They tread glorious way.
See yonder banner waving high
Its splendid folds uniurled
It plays with breezes from the sky,
The ensign Of a world.
Brave Terrence meath that banner died.
And Reid and Curtis bled:
They are a glorious Nations pride
Now tenting with the dead.
Wen wayc a starry Gag above
Zen TO the very sky
And ask the angels, types Of love,
III such iien ever die
And worflhng1on and Rankin brave
Have gone beyond our sight;
We drop flower upon each grave,
And keep Their gaiDr bright
o. grave, where Is thy victory,
o. ccatB, where Is thy sting.
When 50 O3ir fondest memory
Such glorious thoughts you bring?
AtPea Ridge where the ninies few,
And cannon balls were loud,
No grandcr soldiers wore the blue
Than two vino donned the shroud
Ralph Miller sleeps calm, sweet rest,
Pete Stevens by his side.
They feI by al tie country blest,-
Lake heroes. nobly died.
But ROW, hands round old comrades true,
Build up the canip-llres bright,
There ID DC a talk 'Daont, the boys Ia blue
Around the tents tonight.
Speeches were also made by Major r. I
Cralner, OF Memphis, No, and Samuel Mitchell
and the public exercises Of the day then cam
20 an end. IN the evening the camp-1ires weI
lighted and the boys spent the time in relatin
"reminiscences.
SECOND DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
The second days programme was somewha
disturbed by the rain, but the boys, neverth
less, had q good time During the day Ii
various regincntal associations met and tran.
acted the business before them, and IN III
afternoon a mammoth Campfire was held !
the opera house. General Belknap called I'd
assembly to order, and, after music by the Ke
kuk Cleo Club introduced Major H C. McA
thur Of the Fifteenth Iowa, who said, anon
other things:
The great American heart accords Us the right
recount or soldier experiences, TO speak Of ii
weary march, through Sunshine and rain over rU
geo mountains through valleys dusty TO stl
focction almost. then isnDassable iy Fnud hunsrl
hours Of night away TO meet the enemy at dal
break and take n raw sSirmish for freal fast n