The National tribune., 1883-10-04
GENERAL GovAN,s AppREss.

war, that | am permitted to participate in this
Reunion. Applause. They will feel grateful
for this honor, and will respond and return it
whenever an opportunity is offered [Cheers.
| have testified heretofore to the valor of your
Iowa soldiers in their heroic resistance at At
lanta And if I had said nothing, the long list
of the killed and wounded soldiers of my COM
mand would bear mute but irresistible testi-
mony of your courage and valor on that occa-
sion. In behalf of our ex-soldiers beg leave
to return to you the aag won from you on that
memorable occasion. | trust you viii bear it
as honorably as you did on that former occa-
sion; and | assure you that should it ever again
be assailed, the men who opposed you that day
viii stand by you in the future and vie with
you in its defense. Loud cheers / hope
that flag may float as long as the everlasting
hills endure, over a free, prosperous, happy and
united people-as long as the waters flow to the
great ocean.
Cheer after cheer was then sent up, and
COLONEL ADDISON H. SAUNDERS,
who was captured by General Govan, stepped
forward and grasped the old flag that was taken
from him on that memorable day, and, with a
voice husky with emotion, said:
The old flag! Lost-captured-bu never
disgracedi Let those who, in solid line, and
line maSsed on line, as brave soldiers-Confed-
crate as they were-as ever did soldiers duty.
charged and charged again on the Sixteenth
Iowa, July p, 1864, till enemies dead and
wounded numbered half as many as our men
in the rit1e-p and prisoners from their ranks
nearly doubled our own number; let them say,
whether in the final capture of this flag, they
thought in the hour of their triumph, it had
been disgraccd by our defense or their victory.
They know because they were there, and it
was q sad and awful place for brave men TO be-
whether thirsting for glory or hungering for
that flag. Only the day before sixty-five men
of the Sixteenth Iowa fell In charge on rebel
works, with these same colors waving at their
front; was the old flag with all its records of
victories and never a defeat, ,he very next day
to be trailed in the dust without struggle,
such as men fight to the last drop of their
hearts blood, when honor more than life is at
stake?
The old flag! In many battle ewes have
glazed in death looking at its loved folds Men
with gaping wounds, and suppressed cries of
agony, broke from the field, having turned
their last gaze at the old colors still hutterinr
mid smoke and shot. But never was so much
blood shed for the defense of this flag as was
spilled like rain for its capture on that 22d day
of July. Ask those who won it and wore it,
and now, as gallantfy as they fought for the
prize, restore it to the brave hands that once
so proudly upheld it. In the presence of the
brave and chivairous officer who, with so many
complimentary expressions accompanying the
gift, has restored this flag to the regiment
from which his command once wrenched it.
cannot find heart or voice at this hour to dis
parage the cause which secured such defenders
as General Goyan and his brigade. The flag of
the Union, represented by these colors, still
waves, Yindicated, triumphant. It's friends
and foes of two decades ago are now as one,
equally ready and equally brave 10 defend the
old flag and all it represents, whether danger
threatens from abroad or At home.
Now, in the name and as representative on
this occasion of the survivors OF the Sixteenth
Iowa infantry, | receive again our old loved
coiors; and in the name of these comrades, and
by their authority, or, rs feel sure in response
to their wishes, return thanks for the gem
erOus, chivalric kindness which has enabled us
this night to rejoice with even greater joy than
those other comrades Of the Iowa brigade who
never lost q flag.
The Glee Club then rendered Star SpangIed
Banner" and other national airs, the audience
joining heartily in the choruses.
Major ii. G. Macarthur then spoke to the
comrades, and rendered "Old Shady" in q
manner that evoked heartiest applause.
General Macarthur, the division commander
who wore a Scotch cap" was called out, and
made rousing speech to the veterans. He
spoke of the good influence of these Reunions
upon the young Of this country, teaching them
patriotism.
General Yandeyer, colonel of the Ninth Iowa,
was called upon. Though not member of
Crockers brigade, he said he was proud of the
fact that he was an Iowa soldier. The greatest
result of the war is an increased love of liberty
in the hearts of the American people. The
North and South would in the future present
an united front against any invader
General " Jack" Stibbs; of the Twelfth Iowa,
was called out and everybody was "broke
up" over his exceedingly humorous rendition
of the German parody on Barbara Fritchie. >
One of the features of the evening was the
projection on a large transparency of the
familiar army cry: +" Grab root!" 1t was
General Belknap's idea, and took the boys by
storm.
SECOND DAY.
The second day of the Reunion was probably
enjoyed by the veterans as much as was the
first day.
st the business meeting at the opera house.
the following officers were elected for the ensu-
ing year: President, w. w. BeIknap; vice
president (Eleventh), John Wilkinson; vice
president (Thirteenth), E. r. Mason; vice
president Fifteenth, J. J. Wilson; vice-presi-
dent fSixteenth) q r Pray. corrasDon dinc,