The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-08-23
BATTLEFLAGIDAY IOWA.

| One Hundred and Thfrty-three Battlefags
In Line-1O,OOO Veterans Witness the
| Ceremonies.
The Legislature of Iowa last Winter passed
bill setting the 10th day of August as the
time when the old flags carried by the lows
soldiers in the war should be deposited in the
Capitol of the State in Theoretically sealed glass
cases provided for their reception and preserva
| ton. The 10th of August is the anniversary
of the battle of Wilson's Creek, where the first
Iowa blood was shed.
Des Mones was most deliberately decorated
for the occasion. Each business house seemed to
vie with every other in the profusion of bunt.
| ing, and from every dwelling on the line Of
march could be seen floating the Stars and
| Stripes.
! Over 10000 veterans gathered together on
! the 9th, and regimental Reunions were held
all over the city. 1t was an occasion fraught
with the deepest interest pathos, and sanctity.
Over 30 years had passed since the war, but
| now there came together to rally round the
! flag the same men who had followed Old Glory
| through hail of battle and on to victory. But
what different army it was! Then they were
! stalWart men; now they vere bent and feeble
| old age had Overtaken them, and of all the 10,-
600 only 2.233. by actual count were able bodied
enough 10 march the single mile under the hot
August to the Capitol. The men III line
looked DID, and in many instances very feeble,
but they were sustained by asublime patriotism
which urged them on. The comrades unable
to endure the march formed in line on the
streets, with barred heads and tear-filled eyes,
to wave their hats and cheer themselves
hoa'se as the dear old flag of the regiment
passed by them.
Aud the flags! Those battle-stained and
tattercd old flags! When they were given
into the hands of their bearers, as often as
possible the same hands which carried them
in war carried them then. Shouts and sobs,
tears and smiles, surged over the crowd, and
every soul was filed with an ecstacy of pat
riotsm at the sight of those war-worn and
time furnished old banners. Not flag was
entire; not one but was pierced with bullet
holes; many were stained with heroic blood
and all were eloquent of the selfsacrifcing
bravery of the loyal men of Iowa.
1t was an unique occasion, never to be seen
again. / know not which was more touching,
the fearful enth usiasm of the men grouped about
the one-legged Color Bearer of the Sd Cav, as
he painfully stumred along. bearing the same
old banner he had suffered and all but died for,
or the deep almost reverential, hurrah of the
old, old comrades leaning on crutches and canes
OH the side of the way. ] think these old vet
Grams, who by their every garment proclaimed
their poverty, who had, these hard times,
travelled to Des Moines to be present at this last
great Reunion, and who from age and disability
had been forced to iorego the privilege of follow
ing the dearly loved flag to its last resting
place. think these old men the most eloquent
appeal to Nations gratitude possible to
witness.
The sun beat fercely down upon them-they
were all but fainting under its intense heat
yet they stood with barred heads until the last
old flag had been borne from their sight for
ever. Many wept and, turning shook hands
with the comrade at their side. If Hoke
Smith could have seen them, as with longing
eyes and tagging feet they slowly followed after
the procession even his rebel heart would have
softcned and his hand been stayed of its merci-
less work.
Arrived at the State House on the hill, many
touching scenes were witnessed. One little
band of 81 survivors retired to a sec nded cor
tleiag babe it farewell. Each man of them
took it in his arms and, pressing it to his
breast, kissed it and bathed it with the tears of
a patriots farewell.
The lesson of the day sank deep in every
heart. The love for our beautiful National
banner rekindled and the fires of patriotism
stirred anew in every heart.
Gen. John W. Noble was the President of
the day, and marched at tho head of his reg-
ment through the heat and dust, and delivered
a mastery address in behalf of the Iowa vet
Grams in delivering the flags to the State.
Gov. Jackson responded in telling speech.
Hon. John F. Lacey was the orator of the
day, aud his address a splendid tribute
to the Stars and Stripes and the gallant men
who bore it in the late war.
The whole occasion was marked with in
tensest feeling OF love and loyalty to our
starry banner.