The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-10-09

He was sent from BroWnSVlile, IexaS,
then the headquarters of the army OF
the Rio Grand, to report to the head
quarters of General Phil II. Sheridan,
commanding the division of the South
west, at New Orleans. In releasing
Major Lacey from his staff General
Steele became personal and addressed
General Sheridan in communication
as follows;
'"The undersigned deeply regrets
losing from his staff so gallant and
meritorious an officer and from his
military family so amiable and &C
complished gentleman as Captain
Lacey. He entered the service at the
age when most young men have not
left school, and by his energy and
good sense soon became distinguished
as staff officer"
While serving on the staff of Gener-
al Rice and with him as colonel of the
33rd regiment, Major Lacey participant
ed in the following engagements:
Battle of Helena; the Yazoo Pass ex-
petition; the campaigns against Lit
tie Rock and Camden; battle of Terre
Noir Creek; Elkins Ford; Prairie
Dame; Poison Springs, etc., etc.
Under General Steele, in the Mobile
campaign, Major Lacey participated
in the last engagement OF the war,
the storming of Fort Blakely, oppo-
site Mobile, on April 8, 1865, the day
OF Lees surrender.
Following the trip to New Orleans
Major Lacey, in the latter part OF
1865, returned to his home in Oska-
loosa and re-opened his law books,
taking up the threads of citizen life
where he had dropped them to parti-
cipate in the military affairs OF his
time.
When General Rice was wounded
at the battle of Jenkins Ferry, Major
Lacey was by his side and helped to
carry the MORALLY wounded warrior
from that bloody field.
Although not injured while in ser.
vice, Major Lacey was in the thick OF
the fight. Once he was struck by
ball from. a Minnie rife at the battle
of Jenkins Ferry, but its course was
DETECTED by the heavy ponce worn by,
the officer, which saved his life. HIS
mount was killed under him at Prairie
Dame. But at all times he shared
the hardships and the privations OF
the men who know what what war
means. With the exception OF the
brief period while he was under pa
role and was in honor bound to re-
frain from participation in war, Major
Lacey saw almost four years, lacking
less than one month OF active service
during the war;
AT the date of death he was colonel
in command of the 33rd regiment re-
union association, being elected to the
command following the death OF Col
onel Mackey, of Sigourney. He was
presiding officer, as president OF the
association at the recent reunion of the
S3rd held in Oskaloosa only last
month. and was one of the liveliest oil
the old boys present for the occasion.
He gave personal direction to details
of the reunion and was cognlzant OF
every part of the program during the
three days of the meeting.
Patriotic Incident.
Major Lacey was president of the
Thirty.third Iowa flag fund associa-
ton, which through the generosity OF
George w. Schee has furnished and
will maintain flag on every school
house in Marion, Mahaska and heo-
kuk counties, the counties from whlch
the 33rd regiment was recruited. IN
honor of his memory everyone ol
these flags was dropped to halt'mast
Friday afternoon, and the teacher IN
each one of the schools either read
a history of Major Lacey's life or
made some reference to him. rms
showing of love and patriotism was
due the deceased, and was brought
about by the other members of the
board of trustees, Mrs. Harriet Cru
zen and Mr.. o. F. Schee.
Public Service.
John F. Lacey gave a considerable
portion of his life to public service.
The compensation received therefor,
by the everyday standards
of value, was small compared with the
great worth of the splendid service
rendered, but in the character of the
work performed Mr.. Lacey builded
we'll for therein he made unto MS
name lasting monument. .-.a-
His record of public service stands
without a parallel in all the state:
1861-1S6J as a soldier; 1863, served
as city solicitor OF Oskaloosa; 1863,
elected to the general assembly of
Iowa from Mahaska county; 1S80-1S8l
served on Oskaloosa city council;
1888, elected republican representa-
tive in congress from the Sixth con-
gressional district of Iowa. He served
in the 51st, SD, 54th, 55th, seth, 9th,
5Sth and 18th congresses, sixteen
years of impartial and unselfish pub
lie work.
And this does not nearly tell the
story Of his devotion to home and
friends, city and county. In the
death of Major Lacey Oskaloosa has
lost benefactor, but the loss is more
far.reaching 1t becomes national in
its scope and significance. AS con.
gresham Mr.. Lacey secured for Os-
kaloosa the Federal building, located
on North Market street. corner of A
avenue. He was a supporter OF each
and every enterprise that tended to
the betterment and the development
of the community. The Lacey Hotel
the Orient theatre building and the
Lacey building on High avenue West
in which the Lacey Brothers law Of
flee and library is located, all attest
to the loyalty TO home interests.
/ During his sixteen years In congress
Major Lacey secured the passage Of
hundreds OF bills, each and every one
of which held something of benefit
| for the public. President Roosevelt
said OF Mr.. Lacey:
"In public life peneralIy we are