The National tribune., 1889-07-04

tho rapidly developing country in the new State
of Iowa offered him n more inviting field of
operations, and he removed thither, settling at
Bloomfield, Davis County, where he built up
prosperous business. He took deep interest in
politics, was an attractive aud forcible public
speaker, and three years after his settlement
in Iowa. the Democrats who had strong ma
iority in his section, elected him TO the State
Senate. He was an admirer and supporter of
Stephen A. Douglas. and was delegate to the
baltimore Convention which nominated :" The
Little Giant" for President OF the United States.
Senator Bussey was still in office when the
rebellion broke out, and ut once announced his
intention to support the Government TO the
utmost This decision cost him dearly, for his
District lay along the northern boundary OF
Missouri, and very large proportion of hiscon-
stitueuts were of the same element which had
peopled that State and strongly sympathized
with their secession friends and kindred. The
Representatives from Senator Bussey's own
County were bitterly opposed TO coercion"
and fought IL In tho extra war session" OF
the Legislature. Senator Bussey was denounced
as a traitor TO his people, but this did not deter
him from throwing his whole energy into pre-
pairing for the struggle. His activity aud in
telligeuce so commended him TO s. J. Kirk
wood, tho War Governor Of the State, that
the latter appointed him an Aid on his staff.
and soon committed the whole care of affairs
hltNE tBb SuuincTn 10 us GHhIPb. uO
rebels in Missouri were Rudacious and kept the
border in a tumult by their forays and threat
ening demonstrations. Owing TO Senator
Bussey's shrewd management OF the means at
hand none of these resulted in anything seri-
GUS. Later in the Summer the rebel General
In command of Northern Missouri organized q
formidable movement for the invasion Of Iowa
aud the capture of Keokuk. All the organized
regiments had been sent away from the State
to meet pressing demands elsewhere, and he
had nothing to meet the invasion with but
hastily gathered levies But he gathered up
arms from every quarter. actually sei2ing them
In one instance on train, where they were in
transit for another department, aud made his
dispositions so wisely that the invaders were
met outside of the State aud driven back in con-
fusion.
Gov. Kirkwood and Gen. Fremont then in
sisted that he should take command in the
field. lie was commissioned as Colonel of the
Sd Iowa Cav, new regiment raised by him
in 10 days after the first call was made. and
though he WAS rs ignorant of tactics and
organization as his recruits, and the forma-
ton of new cavalry regiment is particu-
larry trying work, he speedily made the Sd
Iowa one of the best mounted and drilled
regiments in the service. lie was ordered
10 join the Army Of the Southwest, under
Gen. s. X. Curtis He left Benton Barracks.
ST. Louis, in February. 1862. and reached
Springfield. Mo-. Feb. 10, where he expected
To find Gen. Curtis, but the latter was already
far away on the chase after Sterling Price.
There were rumors that the rebels had been
brought to hay, and heavy battle was to be-
fought. Col. Bussey was determined, at all
hazards. to be there in time TO participate. The
weather was bad and the roads bic, but he
moved with such energy that in four days
time he had the satisfaction of reporting with
| his command 10 Gen. Curtis on the banks of
Sugar Creek, 200 miles away. This, il is con-
| 1dently claimed. is the greatest cavalry march
| on record. Gen. Curtis increased his command
| To brigade by assigning 10 him, in addition
! to his own regiment. the lst Mo. Cav, the FIRE.
mont Hussars, the Benton Hussars and three
| pieces of artillery. and with this he took part
! in the bloody battle of Pea Ridge. Acting un-
| der Col. Ostorhans, he opened the battle of the
second day by striking the rebels in flank near
| IIeetown as they were moving around the flank
/ of the army. The collision WAS bloody. for the
rebels Ind massed their infantry there and
| Col. Bussey's command suffered fearfully,
| having encountered charge of McIntosh's
! Division of cavalry, led by himself, aud three
regiments of Indians under Gen. Pike. After
the conflict the field was strewn with bodies Of
| the brave men OF Col. Busseys command with
their scnlls cleft with the murderous AK
! while many of them were scalped. They had
| the satisfaction, however, of killing the rebe
General Ben McCulloch, whose fall did so much
TO take the heart out of the rebels aud insure
their defeat. He was shot from his horse by
| Peter Pelican. of the Both Ill.
Col. Bussey lod in the pursuit Of the enemy
| after the battle, aud came mp with them al
| Bentonyille. where they attempted to make
stand, but were started again by artillery fire
and the pursuit vigorously kept mp until they
reached their stronghold in the Boston Mount
aims. Ia these operations Col. Bussey inflicted
loss upon the enemy very much greater thar
| his command suffered, and his conduct 81
pleased his men that they presented him will
magnificent sword, costing several hundred
dollars He received most efficient assistance
throughout from his Adjutant, John W. Noble
now his official superior,-the Secretary o
| the Interior.
Col. Bussey commanded his brigade through
| tho remainder of the operations of the Sprini
and Summer of 1862 aud the long and tryinl
| campaign through Arkansas to Batesylle. II
July he was assigned to the Third Brigade o
| Gen. Steele's Division, of the Army of tn,
Southwest and held this until Sept. 2. III
commanded various brgades and division
| after this time until Jan. IL, 1863 when b.
| WAS assigned TO the command OF the District o
| Eastern Arkansas, very trying position. as /
| involved the government of a large and popu
lous section, with AL intensely disloyal people
4 constantly ready for any demonstration tina
would damage the Union cause. His prede