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


was needed to repress anarchy and en-
force justice, and this was supplied by
General Bussey.
He was retained at this post until the
close Of the war, for Fort Smith was too
important base to take any risks with
during the great operat ions in Arkansas,
Louisiana and Texas in 1866. March
13, 1865, he was breveted Major Gen
eral.
Since the close of the war General
Bussey has been in business in st. Louis
and New Orleans, where he proved to
be useful, public-spirited and enter
prising citizen. He was especially active
in all matters relating to the improve
ment of navigation in the south and
west.
In 1880 the bishops Of the Methodist
church appointed him delegate to the
Ecumenical Methodist conference held
in London in September, 1881. While
in Liverpool on his way he was
present, by invitation, at great meet
ing held to express sorrow over the
death Of President Garfield. He was
given the honor of proposing the reso-
luton, which he did in speech of great
eloquence and pathos.
In 1882 he was invited to deliver an
address at the laying of the corner
stone Of the new Cotton Exchange at
New Orleans. His address abounded in
excellent commercial doctrine and tell
ing facts and figures.
In 1881 he decided to remove to New
York, and has resided there ever since,
actively engaged in business, but keep
ing up his old time interest in politics.
He was a delegate to the republican
convention of 1868 which nominated
General Grant, and in 1884 was active
in the canvass for MIR. Blaine.
| In 1888 he paid a visit to his old home
in Iowa, and was received everywhere
| with enthusiasm. While in Des Moines
! the legislature passed the following
resolution, under a suspension of the
rules:
Whereas, The Hon. Cyrus Bussey was,
at the commencement of the rebellion,
member Of the senate of Iowa, and at
once resigned his seat in this body for
the purpose of serving our common
country on the field Of battle to uphold
our flag and to perpetuate the union of
states; and
Whereas, He served with distin-
guished courage and ability during the
war, receiving promotion to the rank
Of General officer for gallant conduct;
and
Whereas, He is now visiting relatives
in Des Moines: Therefore
Resolved, That a committee of three
Senators be appointed to arrange re-
ception on the part of the Senate for
the Hon. Cyrus Bussey.
At the reception, which took place in
the Senate chamber, he was escorted to
the dais by the governor and commit
tee OF Senators, and all the members of
the Legislature, together with the
prominent citizens of Des Moines, united
in the demonstration in his honor.
The author of "Iowa Colonies and
Regiments gives this description OF
General Bussey in war times:--
General Bussey is five feet eleven
inches in height, and has slender
. athletic form. He has an exceedingly
fair complexion, dark hair and dark
lustrous eyes. He is not only comely in
person, but winning in manners, and
with his pleasing conversational powers
could not be otherwise than popular in
any community. He has ready wit
great power Of expression, and is able
to say whatever he wishes in whatever
way he pleases, and in this lies the Sc.
cret OF his success as an e1tempore
public speaker. General Bussey has
confidence in himself ana his abilities
and is, happily, free from those airs and
indiscretions common to men overbur.
dened with self-esteem. AS business
man he was characterized for prompt
ness and order, and these traits he car
ried into the army.
Another writer, describing "Iowa'i
General officers" says Of General Bus
sey:
His demeanor indicates at once the
scholar and the gentleman. He possesses
fne sensibilities, and character ire.
proachable for honesty and morality
His moral qualities have suffered little
by three years contact with the evi
associations of the army. Position OF
promotion does not change him. It
gives me pleasure to dwell on the vir
tues of his private life, because he
stands alone in this respect. His con
duct during the war proves him not un
worthy the position that he occupies.
Throughout the day whenever there
was nothing else on the program the
Leon K. p. band furnished excellent
music and the boys were highly oompli
mented by the visitors for the excel
lent music which they furnished.