The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-02-23
A BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE
BY a Commander in the Late Rebellion, to
the Members OF His Regiment, Of Which
Our Townsman Zach Thomas Was One.

We herewith reprint copy of the
letter received by MIR. Zach. Thomas,
July 81, 1865, which may be of inter-
est to old soldiers and their friends.
The copy was handed TO THE CoLUM-
BIAN reporter by Guy Jacoby, ESQ.,:
HEADQUARTERS 9TH Iowa V. VI
INFANTRY,
LOUISVILLE, KY, July FL, 1865.
offers and SailOrS Of the 6M lena
T. T. hfaHhy:
Peace has dawned upon the Nation.
The Union is restored. Forts and
public property are re-possessed.
The serpent that darted, with pols-
onous fangs, at the vitals of the Re-
public, no longer tempts the states
man. Its head is fatally bruised, and
it has no mourners.
AT your hands no further sacrifices
are demanded, and our beneficent
Government, having gratefully ac-
knowledged your patriotic services,
tomorrow, restores you to our be-
loved Iowa.
Your mediate commanding officers,
in bidding you farewell, added each
worthy tribute to your valor, endur-
ance, fidelity and patriotism.
1t seems fitting that l, who have
been more intimately associated with
you during these four eventtul years,
should repeat the "God bless you"
as it passes down the line.
You have no: advertised, yet your
regiment is not unknown. 1t has
marched seven thousand miles. 1t
has fought twenty-seven battles. Over
four hundred Southern graves its name
is written. Its flag was never lowered
to the accursed emblem of treason.
With comrades, from sister states,
you swept the enemy from Missouri;
mingled in the terrific struggle
of Shiloh; secured Mississippi
laid siege to Vicksburg; captured
Jackson; scaled Lookout Mountain
relieved Knoxville pursued stub
born foe from Resacca, Dallas, New
Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kennesaw,
Chattahoochie, Peachtree Creek, Ezra
Chapel, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, and At
lanta. Together with the brigade you
repulsed at Griswoldville, force Of
five times its numbers, marched down
to the sea thence, through the Caro-
linas, and terminated your glorious
campaigns with triumphal procession,
amid the plaudits of your country
men, at the Federal capital.
l shall not presume to advise for
the future. There are those who,
looking to another continent for pre-
cedent, unmindfu that the American
soldier is yet citizen, and battles
only in defense of law enacted by the
people. are apprehensive that a de-
gree of lawlessness and anarchy will
follow the disbandment of great
army. Their fears will soon be dissi-
pated. Intelligent men never volun-
tarily resign the enjoyments of home,
and breast the battle storm, to serve a
Government they do not respect, or
defend institutions they do not love.
A volunteer soldier is a patriot. Pat
riutism dictates ready and cheerful
obedience to the Constitution and the
laws.
Loved ones will rejoice at your safe
return. Others will weep as your
battle-torn banners are borne proudly
through their streets. Fathers, broth
ers, sons, and husbands, have faller
by your side. Tell the sorrowing faith
er, the weeping widow, and the mourn
ing sister, "He died bravely at th'
iron front. The Southern breeze
that sighs requiem over the restln!
place of your loved one, shall neve
fan slave" But how idle is human
4 consolation. God alone can assuag
= their grief.
4 Twill be alike your pleasure AM
i duty to stand faithful sentinels at tn
!, threshold of the orphans home. Guar
Il it well, that gaunt Famine, Starvatlo
S and Want, shall never enter there.
With many thanks for your person
P al kindness, and implicit obedience t
S orders, while under my command,
r bid you farewell.
May your paths ever wind throug
4 pleasant places, and your future live
q be prosperous and happy, as yol
y deeds have been glorious and homo
II able. w. II. CLUNE,
IS Lieutenant Colonel Commanding.
II A. H. Corell, a printer of tow
a was awarded a government contra
d some time ago to print $4,000 slip
O such as are used by railway post
1t clerks, cut them to the proper siz
a and deliver that number to the pos
ID Office every evening. He receive
D. $50 per month for the work. He h
concluded that there is entirely t.