Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-08-28
The Old Iron Brigade.

gathering devoted TO the pleasures of
the present, though fraught with sor-
rowful "reminiscences of the past.
This is not the remnant that was left
after the terrible battles of South Noun
tain, Antietam, Gainesville. Gettysburg,
the Wilderness and Five Forks, but only
the remnant of that remnant. On these
terrible fields, through victories and dis
asters. triumphs and repulses, this no.
bic old Iron Brigade made 4 record for
valor of which they, their posterity
and their country may justly feel proud.
Repulses they met but defeat never!
Their brave hearts could not brook de-
feat, but recovering from their repulses
they again pressed forward to the fight
until victory perched upon their ban
ners. They fought for principle, for
right, for humanity, for country; and
their ultimate victory is the proud her
itage of the Nation.
In history, among the noblest achieve
ments OF arms, the greatest feats of
daring, the proudest examples of hero
ism, the steadfast adherence to princi-
pie, should be recorded those of the
Iron Brigade.
To-day they win meet like the suryiv-
ors OF long separated family There
will be the warm greeting, the glad
clasping of hands. the fond embrace.
They will laugh in the ccstacy of their
delight in meeting, and weep as they
reverently speak of those who come
not-of those who will meet with them
no more forever. They will talk of
their enlistment, the rendezvous. the
camp OF instruction, their first drills.
their going to the front. They will re-
call the long lines and full companies
that fell in at roll call. They hear the
familiar call to ''fall in and recall the
alacrity and promptness with which
the boys responded.
Aye. the boys were spry and prompt
then! Will it be SO now? Let the call
be sounded! How slowly they fall in!
Some move slowly under the burden of
many years; some with difficulty hobble
along with stiffened joints -stiffened by
exposure on the tented field, some with
constitutions shattered by the masma
and malaria of southern swamps; the
vacant sleeve flaps idly where was once
the vigorous arm; and the crutch sup
plies the place of the once strong limb!
Ask for the boys of the Iron Brigade
and each readily answers Il am one of
the boys" Aye, boys they are to each
other still; though the frosts and SHOWS
of nearly a quarter of century have
left the tracery of their whiteness on
the once dark locks! But where are
the others? o, they are mustered out!
They have received an honorable dis
CHARGE Singly and in numbers, from
Bull Run to Appomattox, they left the
ranks; and steadily on from then till
now they have grown weary on the
march and fallen by the wayside! The
mournful sound of the muflled drum is
no longer heard but the cadence is kept
up by the falling of the cold clols upon
their coffin lids, Yes, there will be re-
grets, and sorrow and tears, as the
names of these are called and there
comes no response. But they will not
be forgotten by those assembled. Those
faces and forms are photographed on
the hearts of the survivors, and from
the tablets of memory they read of
their devotion, their patriotism, their
valor, their martyrdom.
o, with what pride will their thoughts
revert to the past to-day! The priva-
tions of the camp, the fatigues of the
march, the dangers of the battle field
will not be recalled. But they will hear
the first shot on the picket line; the scat
tcring shots of the skirmishers the first
volley from the ranks; followed by the
steady rattle of musketry and the inces-
SAINT roar of cannon; the order to
charge, the answering cheer; the clash
of the collision; the shouts of victory,
How the countenances will brighten
with animation ut the recollection of
these scenesl And it is pardonable
pride, for
1t was splendid sight to see
For one WIG had, no friend, no brother there"
Yes. soldiers of the Iron Brigade, you
may justly feel proud of your victories;
proud of the bright laurels with which
n grateful people have crowned you;
proud of your tattered banners, torn by
shot and shell, but to whose stars YOU
have added a brighter lustre. Yet,
proud as you may justly feel of these,
they are not your grandest achieve
ments. The return to the pursuits of
peace, with your resumption of the du-
ties of citizenship, cheerful obedience
W TIE 1dWS Oh tuc ldul anu tl6 ueIIldDuS
of society eclipses the honors you won
on the battlefields This is the proudest
heritage of the American citizen soldi +.
Your soldiers reunions are the grand
est convocations of the Nation. They
are an inspiration to the younger gen.
Grafton, and will kindle sentiment of
devotion. loyalty and patriotism that
will render US as a Nation invincible.
Soldiers, we wish you happy reun-
ion! Veterans of the Iron Brigade, a
grateful people bid you welcome while
they fervently whisper God bless you,
Henry. Friend Grover. am griev-
ed to see that you are charged by the
Buffalo papers with gross immortality.
For Heavens sake, Grover. tell me if
the charges are true"'
Grover. Friend Henry, | am no
more guilty of anything of that kind
thai, you oren'
Henry shake, Grover! We re-
formers must stand together, and | shall