Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-05-08
The Volunteers Of the Sixties.
Isl Louis Globe-Democrat.l


Al this time fifty years ago the
United States was a camp turnout its
whole extent President Lincoln had
and vindtcate the national government
from the armed assault that had been
made upon it. There was practically
no regular army Hostili.ies began
with The surrender under fire. of lit
tie band Of United States regulars. The
small force of trained enlisted men had
been pu-posAly minimized and scat
tered, forts, arsenals and material
were seized. and many officers We're
going over TO the side Of rebellion. Only
one way remained 10 save the union.
and that was by the immediate re-
Spouse OF volunteers. men engag ed in
pea ceful vocations and without mill
tary instruction. yet ready to give all
for love of country. The loyal states
quickly made up the $4,000. enlisted
for three months. an army supposed at
the time to be sufficient II It could
have been known that the war would
he the most deadly in modern history.
that II would last four years. and call
for 100000 soldiers on the national
side alone the rashness Of revolt would
have been modified. But. in any case.
the defenders Of the union would have
stood firm in an invincible cause.
The companies and regiments that
were first to take the field in April
and May. 1851. are holding reunions
on the fftieth anniversaries Of the
days they entered the service. They
gave up everything, business prospects,
family and social communion and in
divdual personal action. to yield COM
pi4te obedience in a supreme patriotic
duty. What sacrifice could be more
sweeping? American volunteers when
called upon have always made i, and
should be honored accordingly. The
companies formed in the spring Of
1851 were 100 strong. and all who were
eager 10 enlist could not be accepted.
In the meetings OF survivors 1t is sell
dom that as many as fifteen Of the or
isinal hundred can be brought to-
gether These men typify the vital i'm
portance of volunteers to the nation.
l. has always been SO. the might OF
the United States is based upon its
devoted. willing, courageous citizens.
When an emergency comes and is
clearly defined there will always be an
uprising of volunteers unless the AM
erican character changes. an event no
more likely than some strange rever-
sal in the course Of human destiny.
In the way of arms for the volun-
teers fifty years ago there was nothing
but muzZle loading muskets. and not
enough OF them. Sentries sometimes
performed camp duty with sticks.
Many OF the uniforms We're furnished
by localities At first everything was
externporized. But all expected that the
war would be over in few months.
The truth was unfolded by degrees. but
the patriotic purpose rose in proper
ton. With the greatest propriety the
women of fifty years ago are repre-
scented in the reunions. What the war
cost them entities them tAseats among
the foremost. The pensions bestowed
upon soldiers widows are one Of the
ways BY which the nation honors It
self. Before the summer Of 1853 was
far advanced the three months men
had volunteered for three years or
the war. The colossal nature OF the
struggle was beginning to be under
stood. But there was no faltering then,
| or at any time. If American volunteers
are ever to be defeated c: a!sHnayed
something new must happen in our
national existence.