The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-07-13

Ten companies Of infantry were en-
listed in Mahaska county, the aggre-
gate OF which was about one thous-
and men. Besides this number there
we're some three hundred who enlisted
In other commands in the state and
who were recruited for the ten com.
panies as their ranks became depleted
during the progress OF the war. This
makes a total of thirteen hundred
men who answered the call of patriot.
ism and manfully took their places in
soldier array between their homes ana
southern treason.
In 1851 the entire population of the
county was about $4,000. In that
year four companies were recruited,
viz: Co. II, Sd Iowa; Co. G, TIN Iowa;
Co. II, Stn Iowa; Co. G, 18th Iowa. In
1862 the following companies were re.
eruited: Companies C,aDj Il and X,
33d Iowa, and Co. G, 10th Iowa. The
following year Co. I, 47th Iowa, was
enrolled.
The 33d Iowa Infantry contained
more Mahaska men than any other
regiment. Its place of rendesvouz
was at the county fair grounds, named
Camp futile, in honor OF Colonel Tut
tie, the gallant soldier Of the I'd Iowa.
In the year 1862 when the 33d Iowa
was encamped here while recruiting
its ranks before going to the south,
q company Of women were organized
to prepare such articles as the SOL
diers would find useful in their more
active service In field and camp life
at the front. One Of these articles
the boys called their housewife. II
was q needle.book made like folding
pocketbook, fastened with flap and
button, and contained needles and
pins, thread and buttons aud such
other articles as befitted a soldiers
toilet. When the regiment started on
the march TO Eddyville TO take the
cars, they halted on the commons on
South Market street and were RECALLED
with patriotic speeches and farewell
addresses. Among other articles pre-.
vented to each individual soldier was
copy OF the New Testament, given
by the Mahaska County Bible Society.
These tokens Of affection were gSn.
orally much priced by the men, and
we know OF some OF them who have
that Testament yet and would not
now part with 1t for It's weight in gold.
Three companies Of this regiment
were from Keokuk county and three
were from Marion county. The regi-
ment was raised and organized by
Colonel s. A. Rice, whose splendid
record az a brave commander is q
treasured memory of both county and
state. II was nworn into service on
Oct ], and numbered in all nine hun.
dred and eighty men. The command
left their barracks Nov. 20, marching
to Eddyyille, where they took tho
train for Keokuk, thence by steamer
10 st. Louis and the South, where
they spent the winter OF 1923 in the
most active and trying service. The
following spring Colonel Rice was
placed In command OF the brigade OF
which his regiment formed a part,and
Lieutenant Colonel Mackey. became
the first officffier in the regiment. Ei.
lott w. Rice, brother OF the above,
was also Mahaska county man. He
enlisted in 1851 as second sergeant in
Co. G, 7th Iowa Infantry, and rose to
Brigadier General in 1854.
Captain A. ]. Comstock, OF Co. q,
33d Iowa, was a veteran Of the Mexi.
can war, having enlisted Oct. 25,1848,
at Hannibal, Mo-, as private in the
18th Tennessee regiment. He was
the only Mexican volunteer from Ma.
haska county. But the treaty OF
peace had aldeady been signed and
the war was practically over early In
that year. News Travelled slowly In
Shose days and II took some months
"a roach fhe north Mr. C0matonk