Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-12-07
TO THOSE WHO WORE THE BLUE.
Communication Of Interest to Mem
bers of the 38th Iowa.

/ CoMRADEs:-It 1t has long been fel
by the men who served in the rank
of the Union army, and by loyal
thoughtful people generally, that ther
was q rich mine of historical matte
to be found in the personal histories o
the rank and file of this great struggle
the officers and men who fought thu
battles of the republic. Realizing this
by resolution adopted at the late re
union at Cresco, Howard county, Iowa
Oct. 5th and 9Th, committee was ap'
pointed from each company Of the 3Stt
regiment Iowa vol. infantry, to carry
this purpose into effect. The under
signed was appointed for Co. e, tC
solicit the personal records of all living
members of that company. have
now entered upon the discharge of its
duties, and CALI upon all the members
of Go. E, 3Sth Iowa regiment, where
ever they be living, to assist me in
making the work a success.
Every soldier has a personal history,
the facts of which often surpass the
imaginings of fiction. The committee
desires to obtain these narratives,
which, after careful writing, will be
printed and put in form for prcserva-
ton.
Soldiers, comrades, write the history
of your service. What were you doing
when the call to arms came? Where
were you living? How was the call re-
ceived in your locality? What meet
ings were held? Who addressed them?
Who put down and when and how?
Who enlisted from your town? What
was your motive in enlisting? What
occupation did you leave to enter the
service? Where did you study the
school of the soldier? Who were your
drill masters? Where were you mus
tered in, and under what circumstances?
Where did you 60 from camp of rendez-
vous, and what were the incidents Of
the journey? Where did you first hear
the hum of hostile bullets, and how
did you feel? Did anybody run? Did
you run? What battles, skirmishesand
marches were you in? What Incidents;
grave or gay, marked these campaigns?
How did you live; what were your
tents, ydur "grub," your clothing?
What about the suffers; did you ever
assist in a raid upon these unselfish
patriots? What were the peculiarities
of your officers or your comrades?
What sort of people did you find down
in Dixie? Did you have q contraband
for cook? Give instances which came
under your personal observation of in
dividual heroism and devotion to duty.
Under this head do not forget those
brave and loyal ones, who by reason of
age or circumstances were obliged to
remain at home. What has been your
history since the war-yOur profession,
occupation, ETC.?
All this, and more, we want for our
Personal History of the War" Write
it out as best you can, or tell it to our
son or daughter, or to the grand-child
who is in the high school, and have
them write it for you. The committee
and Historian, S. f. Tubbs, of Superior,
Wis, will see that it is put in proper
form.
Comrades, the time is short. Do
your part nO,U. Do not wait for more
convenient season. We wish to report
a great deal accomplished at our next
reunion October, 1899, at West Union,
Iowa.
Send in your report without delay to
S. f. Tubbs, Superior, Wis.
HENRY /. BRICKNER,
Decorah, Iowa.