The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-10-01

rebels, and our national treasury bank
rupt by defalcation. Our forts in the
south, except Ft. Sumpter, were in the
hands of the seceders, and they were
demanding the withdrawal of the little
garrisonsof so men from Ut. Sumpter.
After waiting about month, employed
in getting his bearings, the president
avowed his intention of sending sup
plies to Ft. Sumpter. AS soon as this
was known the confederate authorities
ordered Gen. Beauregard to demand the
surrender Of the fort. This demand
was made April II, 1851, and promptly
refused by Maj. Anderson. On the morn
ing of the 18th Gen. Beauregard opened
! fire from the land batteries that had
been erected around Ft. Sumpter, and
the bombardment was kept up for SO
hours, the fire being vigorously re-
turned by the fort. After SO hours of
continuous fighting, the ammunition at
the fort was exhausted and they were
compelled to capitulate and lower the
flag. This was the first instance in it's
history that the American flag had ever
been lowered in the face Of an enemy.
The next day after the surrender Of FIT.
Sumpter, the president issued call for
| 10000 volunteers to serve for three
months, believing that the troubles
would be harmonized before that time
expired. He soon saw that something
had to be done. After the battle of
Bnll Run July q, 1851, both sides saw
that the war was no holiday affair. The
president called for 100000 volunteers
for three years, or during the war.
There was now but one political party
in the north, or rather all party lines
were forgotten and everybody was for
the union, and responded promptly to
the call for volunteers. 1t was under
this call that the 3rd Iowa Cavalry was
organized and mustered into service
August 8, 1861, less than two weeks
after the call had been issued. For
more than four years this regiment was
in the thickest of the fray. For more
than four years their patriotic zeal was
stirred into action by the bugle call
Forty-three battles stand to the credit
OF the 3rd Iowa Cavalry. Old Glory was
never trailed in the dust while under
the protection Of the 3rd Iowa. Few Of
us realize the debt of gratitude we owe
to the soldiers. We're it not for tho
work they did, the privations they SUI
fered, the victories they won, we could
| NV oo>thy oO uuueT Lu0 UeSU gov
eminent in the world. To them we owe
the peace OF our land, the prosperity of
our nation and the happiness of our
homes. The boys are not so young now
as they were in 81 to '65. Age has
whitened the hair, dimmed the eve and
stiffened the joints, but it has not
abated their patriotic zeal, nor lessened
their love of country and flag. Let us
ever revere the boys that wore the
blue, and be ever ready to accord to
them the best in the land. On behalf of
the citizens Of Leon, welcome the sur
vivors of the Bird Iowa to Leon and as
sure them that everything we can do to
make their stay with us pleasant and
enjoyable to them, will be cheerfully
done.
Mayor Gates was responded to at
considerable length on behalf OF the
3rd Iowa Cavalry, by Gen. Cyrus Bussey,
who spoke feelingly of the cordial
welcome which had been extended
them, and during his speech he told at
considerable length of the part which
he took in defending the Iowa border
during the trying times of the early
part Of the civil war. We regret that
we cannot give his speech in full, but
SA~S ~sSSSS
which was published in Washington,
D. G. paper, several years ago, which
is as follows:
General Cyrus Bussey was born Octo-
Der 5, 1888, in Hubbard, Trumbull coun-
ty, Ohio. His father, Rev. A. Bussey
was Methodist minister, we'll known
and highly esteemed in Ohio and
Indiana.
When he was four years of age his
father was transferred by the church
i authorities to the field Of duty n south
ern Indiana, and at the age of fourteen
young Cyrus entered dry goods store
in Dupont, Ind, as clerk. He speedily
mastered the business, and at sixteen
started in trade on his own account
His speedy success justified his conf
dence in his own powers, which, how.
ever, he did not neglect to fortify by a
rigid course of study, giving regularly
several hours a day to his purpose till
: he was twenty-five, when the rapidly
developing country in the new State Of
Iowa offered him more inviting field
of operations, and he removed thither
settling at Bloomfield, Davis county
where he built up a prosperous bust
ness. He took a deep interest in poll
tics, was an attractive and forcible
, public speaker, and three years after
. his settlement in Iowa the Democrats
who had a strong majority in this sec
ton, elected him to the State Senate
He was an admirer and supporter Of
Stephen A. Douglas, and was delegate
j to the Baltimore convention which nom
, mated "The Little Giant" for President
of the United States.
, Senator Bussey was still in office
| when the Rebellion broke out, and a,
J once announced his intention to supper
} the government to the utmost. This
decision cost him dearly, for his district
lay along the northern boundary of Mis-
! souri, and very large proportion of his
! constituents were of the same elemen,
which had peopled that State, ano
strongly sympathized with the secession
| friends and kindred. The Representa-
tive from Senator Bussey's own county
! were bitterly opposed to coercion" ant
, fought it in the extra war session.
, of the Legislature. Senator Bussey wal
denounced as traitor to his people
) but this did not deter him from throw
/ | ing his whole energy into preparing TO,