Saline County, NEGenWeb Project

1923 Memorial Day Speech

Home

Copyright © 2011 
Saline Co.,  NEGenWeb Project 

Memorial Day Address May 30, 1923
By Rev. William Lewis Miller at Tobias, NE
Submitted and copyright ©7 July 1999 
by Peggy Miller

Comrades, young and old, ladies and gentlemen, the order of General John A. Logan, Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic which has just been read, inaugurating this "Day" in memory of those who died in defense of the flag in the Civil War and has been extended to all who have died in its defense in all Wars. In the Civil War, general history gives a record of 2200 pitched battles not counting smaller engagements and skirmishes in which no report is made in the records. The U.S. Pension Department is given a record of 6800 engagements in the Civil War in which wounds were received for which pensions were given. And that younger generations may know that we have here, men who participated in many of the Great Campaigns of the Civil War. I will give a short history of the men buried in our cemeteries and of our Post #188 buried elsewhere, and of the remnant still living.

Beginning with those in the cemetery at Atlanta Center, as we hop in at the gate on the left side of the street is John A. Hogue, Company F, 38th Illinois Infantry. Enlisted Aug. 16, 1861 to serve 3 years, Discharged Sept. 15, 1864 at Chattanooga, Tenn. from gun shot wounds in the right thigh and left ankle. I do not know his Division and Army Corps. By his side lays his son Walter Hogue, Co. G, 1st Nebr. (regiment) Spanish War. Was at the Capture of Manila from the Spaniards, and in the Battles of the Philippine Insurrection. Died in the Philippines and was brought home for burial.

The next is Walter N. Hurd, 23rd Indiana Battery of Light Artillery. Enlisted Oct. 24th 1862 for 3 years, discharged July 2, 1865 at Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the first soldier buried in this cemetery before our G.A.R. organization here. Do not know what department his battery served in.

The next on the right is Leo Snyder (Leodegar Schynder) of the Regular Army who enlisted I 1837 during the Seminole Indian War. Was in active service 53 years til 1890, then on the retired list til 1896 making 59 years in the U.S. Army when he died. His service was from the Seminole War, Mexican War, Civil War and the Indian Wars on the Plains. For a long time he was Ordinance Sergeant and was stationed at Fort Laramie, which was the out-fitting and supply station during many of the Indian Wars. Do not know the number of engagements he was in.

Next is H. B. Macklin, Co. K, 39th Iowa Infantry. Enlisting in 1862 for 3 years. This regiment was in Rowet's Brigade, Sweeny's 2nd Division 16th Army Corps. Was in the Battle of Parkers Cross Roads.

During 1863 the Division was in Garrison duty at Corinth, Mississippi and vicinity and on the Atlanta Campaign, the 2nd and 4th Divisions of the 16th Corps commanded by General G. M. Dodge. Were engaged at Snake Gap, Resacca, Lays Ferry, Rome Cross Roads and in the flanking movements at Adairsville and Kingston. Then Rowet's Brigade was sent to Garrison Rome, Georgia which was made the General Hospital of the Tennessee during the Atlanta Campaign. 

The hospitals for the Army of the Cumberland and the Ohio were at Chattanooga and Nashville. Sweeny's and other Brigades of the Division continued with the Army at the close of Atlanta Campaign. General John M. Corse succeeded Sweeny in Command of the Division. The 4 divisions of the 15th Corps were consolidated into 3 and the 2nd Division of the 16th Corps was transferred and became the 4th Division of the 15th Corps and the 4th Division of the 16th Corps and the two divisions of the 17th Corps left in Tennessee and Mississippi were consolidated and became the 16th Corps under A. J. Smith.

As soon as the Atlanta Campaign closed, General Corse was sent with the other brigades to join Rowet's Brigade. At somewhere the Division was again united and when Hood made his Campaign to Tennessee to draw Sherman out of Georgia. General Corse was ordered to take part of his division and reinforce Ft. Tulette at Atlanta. The 39th Iowa was one of the regiments selected to go and in the battle they made the desperate fight at the outer works which enabled Corse to get his troops all in the fort. The holding of which caused the Sunday school song "Hold the Fort", in after years to be written. 

The 39th Iowa here lost more than in all their other battles. Their Colonel Redmend was killed and 70% of their members were killed, wounded and taken prisoner. I was on duty at Hospital Headquarters at Rome and was at the Depot when the 39th took the train for Altoona and I was at the Depot when they returned. Co. K had only 3 men to return, the rest were killed, wounded or taken prisoners. Comrade Macklin was wounded and taken prisoner and was in the Rebel Prisons until the close of the War. The Regiment was with Sherman's Army till the end of the War and in the Review at Washington.

The next is Joseph D. Wilson, Co. H, 7th Penn. Cavalry. Enlisted Feb. 15, 1863. Discharged Aug, 23, 1865. Served 2 years 5 months and 8 days. This Regiment was in Mintz's Brigade, Gerald's Division of the Cavalry of the Army of the Cumberland and participated in the Cavalry battles in that department from Murphysburough to the close of the Atlanta Campaign then under Thomas at Nashville and proceeding Campaign then in the forming of the Cavalry of the Army of the Cumberland and Tennessee into Cavalry Corps. The Brigade was in Hatch's Division under Wilson in his celebrated Campaign from Gravely Springs, Mississippi to Selma and Montgomery, Alabama and to Macon, Georgia when the surrender came.

The next is Stillman Meade, a drummer boy in the War of 1812. Was with the Army of Detroit, which was surrendered by General Hull, to the British, which was followed by the Massacre at the River Raison and the Siege of Ft. Meigs. Whether he was exchanged in time to take part in General Harrison's Campaign in Canada and the Battle of the Thames, his family does not know.

Beside him is his son Giles H. Meade, who served in the Civil War in the 10th Iowa Infantry which was raised in August and September 1861. Served in Mississippi and was under General Pope in the spring of 1862 at Island #10, New Madrid and Tiptonville, then with Pope's Army was sent to reinforce Halleck in the Siege of Corrinth. Was in the Battle of Luke and Corrinth in October 1862 and the Hatchie in the organization of Army Corps was placed in the 17th Army Corps under General McPherson. 

Was in the movements of the 17th Corps in November and December then joining the Grant's Army for the Vicksburg Campaign. Was at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, the Battles and Siege of Vicksburg after which the division under John E. Smith was transferred and became the 3rd Division of the 15th Corps. Went with Sherman to Chattanooga and was in that Division under Sherman to the close of the War. Comrade Meade was severely wounded at Champion Hill and was in the Hospital the rest of his service and was discharged from the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, having served over two years.

Then we have Comrade Clark of the 25th Iowa and Walter Dubois 31st Iowa. Each served 3 years. Their regiments with my regiment the 30th and the 4th Iowa and the 9th Iowa formed the Third Brigade, First Division, 15th Army Corps and continued in the same division and corps the entire War. From their organization at Helena, Arkansas in November 1862 with Gen. John M. Thayer as Brigade Commander and Fred Steele, Division Commander, Wm. T. Sherman commanding the Corps, participated in 42 Battles from Chickasaw, Bryan, Arkansas, Post Oakland, White River, Haynes Bluff, through Vicksburg Campaign, Hawkins Ferry, the First Battle of Jackson, Bridgeport, Walnut Hills, Vicksburg may 18, 21, and May 22, Siege of Vicksburg, the 2nd Battle Jackson, and Brandon. 

Then General Steele was assigned to command the Department of Arkansas and General Thayer to command a division in the same department, Colonel Williamson of the 4th Iowa assumed command of the Brigade and General T. J. Osterhouse from the 13th Corps took command of the Division. General Sherman with the 15th Corps was ordered to reinforce General Rosecranse at Chattanooga, took boat to Memphis then marched to Chattanooga, fought on the way the Battles of Cherokee Station and Tuscumbia. The Division being the last to get to Chattanooga by being Train Guards. 

General Howard was assigned with the 11th Corps to Sherman for his movements at Mission Ridge and Osterhouse with the 1st Division took their place with General Hooker at Look Out Mountain, Mission Ridge, Rooseville and Ringold. Upon Gen. Grant being promoted to the command of the Military Division of the Mississippi consisting of the Army's of the Tennessee, Cumberland and Ohio, Sherman succeeded Grant in command of the Army of the Tennessee and General John A. Logan, commanding a division in the 17th Corps assumed command of the 15th Corps. 

Then when Sherman succeeded Grant in command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, General McPherson of the 17th Corps became commander of the Army of the Tennessee and Frank Blair to the command of the 17th Corps. Then on the Atlanta Campaign the Division and Brigade took part in all the battles from Resacca to Lovejoy Station that the 15th Corps was engaged in, 16 in number and the Siege of Atlanta. The General Logan, going home on leave of absence, General Osterhouse commanded the 15th Corps til Logan's return at Savannah and General C. S. Woods commanding 1st Brigade took command of the Division til the close of the War. Then Hoods flank movement to draw Sherman from Georgia. 

The regiments of the Brigade were engaged at Owl Gap and Little River then from G_______, Lorsville, Alabama where Sherman divided his army. Returned to Atlanta to the March to the Sea where in reserve at the Battle of Griswaldville engaged at Wright's Bridge Station #2, Siege of Savannah. Then followed the Campaign through the Carolinas. Was engaged at Hickory Hills, the cropping of the North and South Edisto Rivers, Congree Creek, Columbia and Bentonville then the Raleigh Campaign and the Surrender of Johnson's Army. Colonel George A. Stone of the 25th Iowa commanded the Brigade from Savannah to the close. Then came the march from Raleigh to Richmond and Washington and the Grand Review, and muster out. 

The next is David Henry, 34th Illinois who served 4 years in the Army of the Cumberland from Shiloh to the close of the War after the formation of the Corps. Was in the 14th Corps at Murphysburough to Chickamauga where he was wounded but recovered to re-enlist with his regiment and was with his regiment and Corps in all the battles of the Atlanta Campaign from Dalton to Lone Jay Station, the last battle of the Campaign. I was told by members of his company, neither one knew the other had told me, that in the attack on the Rebel outer works in front of Kenesaw Mountain. 

He captured one of the skirmish pits of 3 men, shooting one and bayoneting one and taking the other prisoner. Was in the march after Hood, then returned to Atlanta, the march to the Sea, the Siege of Savannah, the Carolinas Campaign, the Battles of Ayersburough and Bentonville, then the Campaign from Goldsburough to Raleigh, with Johnson's surrender then the march to Washington for the Review, and muster out.

The next is John Griffith, Co. G, 174 Ohio. Served from Aug 3rd 1864 to June 15th, 1865, 10 months and 12 days. This regiment was raised under the call for one year's service. It was assigned to the 23rd Army Corps. Joining the Corps during Hood's Nashville Campaign at or near Columbia on the retirement of General Schofield to Nashville. Was in the battle of Franklin, then from Nashville was sent to Murphysburough and Malroy during Forest's attack on that place while Hood was sieging Nashville. 

The regiment after Nashville, went with the 23rd Corps under Schofield to North Carolina joining Sherman's Army at Goldsburough, but Comrade Griffith was with a detail from his regiment to guard rebel prisoners taken form Hood north and was severely injured in a railroad wreck. Was unconscious for several days and was discharged when recovered from the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky.

The next is Philip Hublitz, Co. C, 7th Ill Cavalry. Served 3 years and 2 months. Was in the Army of the Tennessee. Was in many cavalry Battles. Was in the famous Grierson Raid. In April 1863, Colonel Grierson with the 6th and 7th Ill. Cavalry and the 2nd Iowa Cavalry starting from Memphis. 

In Mississippi, Grierson sent Colonel Hatch with the 2nd Iowa in one direction drawing off Forest and afterwards returning to Memphis while Grierson with the 6th and 7th rode through the entire state of Mississippi cutting railroads and burning bridges joining General Banks at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, thus aiding General Grant in the Vicksburg Campaign as Johnson was hindered in rapid concentration of his Army to aid Pemberton by having to repair track and bridges. Grierson was under Banks at Port Hudson then in many other engagements in the Department of the Tennessee and Gulf.

In the Tobias Cemetery, of Civil War service the first is J. M. Horney, Co. H, 106 Ill. Infantry. After Vicksburg, this regiment was in the 7th Corps, Department of Arkansas and was in Garrison the most of the time at Devalls Bluffs, Arkansas. Served three years.

The next is James McCreedy, Co. H, 55th Ill. Infantry. Served 3 years at St. Louis, MO. This regiment was formed into Sherman's old division of 4 brigades which Sherman took up the Tennessee River to Pittsburg Landing and commanded in the Battle of Shiloh April 6th and 7th, 1862. Colonel Stewart of the 55th Ill. commanded one of the brigades of the division and Lieut. Colonel Malmburg commanded the regiment. The 55th at Shiloh lost the heaviest in killed and wounded of all its battles, loosing 51 killed, 197 wounded and 27 missing, total of 275 out of 512 in line. After Shiloh came the siege of Corrinth then Sherman was sent with his division to command and Garrison Memphis and in the formation of the Corps, the 55th was in the 2nd division of the 15th Corps til the end of the War. 

Was in the battles at Chickasaw, Bryant, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg Campaign in the rear of Vicksburg, Jackson Bridge burn, Vicksburg May 18, 21 and 22nd. Then the siege of Vicksburg, then the 2nd Battle of Jackson and Brandon, then in camp in Black River till Sherman took the Corps to Chattanooga. Comrade McCreedy was taken sick at Black River, sent to the hospital at Memphis and never rejoined his regiment. Was then transferred to the Veteran reserve Corps and was in the Memphis Garrison till his 3 years enlistment expired.

The next is Comrade Jury, Co. G, 76th Ohio. Served 4 years. Their 1st Battle was Ft. Donaldson, the Shiloh, Siege of Corrinth, then sent to Memphis and Helena where they were put in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps and were in that Brigade til the close of the War. Their Colonel, C. R. Woods was made Brigadier General and commanded the Brigade. His brother Lieut. Colonel Wm. E. Woods was made Colonel of the regiment, was in all the Battles, Chickasaw, Bryant, Arkansas Post, all the battles of the Vicksburg Campaign and Siege, 2nd Battle of Jackson, Brandon, Look Out Mountain, Mission Ridge, Rooseville and Ringold, then in all the battles of Atlanta Campaign, March to the Sea, the Carolina Campaign, Johnson's surrender at Raleigh, then to Washington and Review and mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. Comrade Jury enlisted as a Private was made Sergeant then Lieutenant Adjutant of the regiment. After re-enlistment was made Captain of Co. G and when C. R. Woods was promoted Brigadier General and commanded the brigade to the end of the War. Jury served on his staff as Captain and Brigade Adjutant and at the close of the War was brevetted Major.

The next is T. J. Beaty, Co. E, 117 Ohio. Served 2 years and 10 months. Was in Steadman's Division, Army of the Cumberland. During the Atlanta Campaign was in garrison at Chattanooga. The principal battles were Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and Nashville.

The next is Charles Snowball, Co. D, 17th Ill. Cavalry. Enlisted Oct. 15, 1863. Served 2 years. Was in the 7th Corps, Department of Arkansas. Served in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. Do not know the number of battles.

The next is Adam Bucher who served 2 enlistments. The first in Co. G, 133 Tenn. nine months. Regiment raised in August 1862. Was assigned to the 5th Army Corps. It's battles were Antetum, Fredericksburg and Chancelorsville. The second was in Co. G, 208 Penn., raised in the call in August 1864 for one year's service. Comrade Bucher enlisted in this regiment August 5, 1864. Was discharged June 1st, 1865. Was in the 9th Army Corps, General Hartraub's Division. Co. G. was General Hartraub's Headquarters' Guard. 

Took part in the different operations and engagements of the siege and 
capture of Petersburg and Richmond. This division especially distinguished itself at Ft. Steadman when Lee undertook to break through and capture City Point. Was in the Review at Washington of the Army of the Potomac.

The next is N. L. Standish, 10th New York Heavy Artillery. Enlisted in 1862 for 3 years. Was in Garrison at Washington until the opening of the Wilderness Campaign of 1864 when as infantry it was assigned to the 2nd Army Corps till the close of the War. Took part in the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor and all the engagements of the Corps to the Cropping of the James River and the Investment of Petersburg and in all of the engagements of the siege and capture and surrender at Appomattox. Marched to Washington for the Review of the Army of the Potomac May 23, 1865. Sherman's Army May 24th and Cavalry the 25th.

Next is L. H. Mumma, Co. L, 102 Tenn. This regiment was one of the noted regiments of the 6th Army Corps, taking part in the 2nd Manassas (or Bull Run), Antetum, Fredericksburg, Chancelorsville and Gettysburg. Comrade Mumma enlisted in this regiment July 13, 1863. Then came the Mine Run Campaign, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, North Ann and others till the Investment of Petersburg, it's siege and series of battles till Early made his raid down the Shenandoah Valley to Washington, when the 6th Corps was hurried to the defense of Washington. 

Followed Early to the Valley. Was in all of Sheridan's battles in the Valley, Winchester, Ohequin, Fisher Hill and Cedar Creek. After that Campaign returning to the siege of Petersburg. Took part in the closing battles in the capture of Petersburg and Richmond to the surrender at Appomattox, then the Corps was sent to Danville, Virginia and did not arrive in time for the Review at Washington, but was reviewed later and mustered out July 6th, 1865.

The next is Alexander Johnson, Co. F, 23rd Iowa. Enlisted Aug 15th 1862 for 3 years. Was discharged July 28th, 1865. Was in the 13th Army Corps. Battles were Chickasaw, Bryant, Arkansas Post, of the Vicksburg Campaign, Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge and the Investment of Vicksburg. Then he was sent north guarding Rebel prisoners, taken in the battles in the rear of Vicksburg. On the return was in garrison at Milekins Bend. Was desperately engaged in the battle there, then sent to the Department of the Gulf. Was in the Red River Campaign and the capture of Mobile, then to Teas until the muster out of the regiment.

The next is David Upton Co. B, 40th Iowa. Served 3 years. Was in the 7th Corps, Department of Arkansas. The regiment participated in the battles of Steele's' Campaign in Arkansas and the Trice Raid into Missouri. Was in garrison for a time at Ft. Smith, Arkansas near the Indian Territory Line.

The next is Comrade Neal, 15th Ill. Infantry. This regiment served 4 years in the Army of the Cumberland in the 14th Army Corps. Was at Shiloh, Murphysburough, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, the battles of the Atlanta Campaign, March to the Sea and Carolina Campaign. Comrade Neal joined the regiment at Goldsboro, North Carolina, enlisting as a recruit in the last call for 1-year service. After Johnson's surrender and the Review at Washington the regiment was sent for duty on the Plains to guard the building of the U. P. railroad, as the Indian War was still raging. The regiment was mustered out at Ft. Leavenworth, KS.

The next is Wm. T. Metcalf, Co. C, 185th Ohio. This regiment was raised under the last call for 1-year service. Comrade Metcalf enlisted Jan 26, 1865. The regiment was on garrison duty at Cumberland Gap, Kentucky. Was mustered out August 27, 1865. Served 8 months and 1 day. 

The Spanish War men buried in this cemetery are: Fred Gilmore, Third Nebraska, served in Cuba, buried since the War. Frank Dun, Co. D, 2nd Nebraska. After the 2nd mustered out he enlisted in Co. M, 4th U.S. and was sent to the Philippines during the Philippine Insurrection. Was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant. Was killed in the Philippines and brought home for burial.

Jep Tyson, Co. C, First Nebraska. Was in the Battle of Manila when it was taken from the Spaniards and in all the battles that the regiment was engaged in during the Philippine War. Died a few years after mustered out.

William Krall served 8 years in the regular army. The first enlistment for 3 years was I the infantry on the Plains during the Indian Wars after the Civil War. The second enlistment for 5 years was in the Light Artillery. Do not know the different posts that he was stationed at.

World War I:
Calvin Bightman died in the camp at Denver. Roy Oaks was drafted, then at Camp Dodge, was rejected for field service and was put in a munitions factory in Illinois. Died while working in the factory and was brought home for burial.

In the County Line Cemetery all are Civil War Soldiers: John Smith, 15th Illinois, enlisted as a recruit at the last call. The same time as Comrade Neal, served the Plains, mustered out at Leavenworth, Kansas.

John Woodman, Co. K, 75th Illinois. Enlisted Aug 12, 1862 for 3 years and was in the Battle of Perryville, KY. Sept 5th. The regiment was in the 4th Corps til the close of the War. Was at Murphysboro and Chickamauga, was taken prisoner. The rest of the War at Andersonville, Miller and Florence South Carolina. Had to be carried out when released. Was Discharged June 1st, 1865.

The rest of the soldiers buried here are: David L. Reshel, W. H. Painton, Jessie B. Collison, G. B. Frazier, Clement S. Peck, George W. Sproggins. They were not members of this Post and some buried in early days. I do not know their regiments of service.

Members and former members of this Post buried elsewhere are:
A. F. Collison, Co. K, 55th Illinois. Served 3 years from Oct 26, 1861 to Oct 30, 1864. From Shiloh his regiment was in all the battles of the 2nd Division of the 15th Army Corps. Died at the Soldiers home in Idaho.

Newton Combs, Co. G, 22nd Wisconsin. Enlisted Aug 22, 1862. Discharged May 21st, 1865. Served in Army of the Cumberland. Is buried at Friend, Nebraska.

John Halpuch, Co. K, 22nd Iowa. Served 3 years Aug 1862. This was a notable regiment, during the campaign around Vicksburg. Was in the 13th Army Corps in all the battles of the Corps and in the assault on Vicksburg May 22, 1863. Was the only regiment to gain a lodgment inside of the Rebel works and held a short time but had to retreat and dig in on the outside. Their work that day made their Colonel, Wm. M. Stone, Governor of Iowa succeeding Givines (?) Kirkwood. 

After the Siege of Vicksburg and the 2nd Battle of Jackson and Brandon they were sent to the Department of the Gulf. Transferred to Grover's Division of the 19th Corps. Was in Bank's Red River Campaign, then sent to Washington to reinforce Sheridan. Was in the Battles of Winchester, Ohequin, Fisher Hill and Cedar Creek. Then from the Valley, Grover's Division was sent to garrison Savannah, Georgia. When Sherman's Army moved on the Carolina Campaign, my regiment was on Provo Duty in the city and the 22nd Iowa relieved us about 9 a.m. the day we marched to take the ship for Beauport, South Carolina for the Campaign. They were in garrison there until their muster out. He, (John Halpuch) is buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Milligan.

B. D. Howard, Co. I, 11th Illinois Infantry. This was a notable regiment. Served 4 years in the 16th and 17th Corps. Howard, after Shiloh was discharged after 8 months of service. Is buried at Fairfield, NE.

John Moore, Co. A, 68th Ohio, after Ft. Donaldson and Shiloh was discharged for disability after 8 1/2 months service. Is buried in the cemetery on his farm in Fillmore County.

Dennis Marka, Co. C, 123rd Tenn. A nine months regiment in the 5th Army Corps. Engaged at Antetum, Fredericksburg and Chancelorsville. Buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Alexandria, NE.

Joseph Andrews, Co. C, 106th Illinois, 7th Army Corps. Buried at Superior, NE.

H. L. Sweeney, Co. C, 4th Missouri. Served 3 years in the 16th Army Corps. Do not know the number of his battles. He moved away. Do not know where he is buried.

Wm. Kassebaum, Co. G, 82nd Illinois, 3 years service. Was in the 11th Army Corps. Was at Chancelorsville and Gettysburg then to Chattanooga under Hooker in the Battle of Mission Ridge. Marched to Knoxville to relieve Burnside, then the 11th and 12th Corps consolidated and became the 20th Corps. Was in all the battles of the Corps during the Atlanta Campaign, March to the Sea, the Carolina Campaign, Ayersburough and Bentonville. Then Johnson's Surrender, the march from Raleigh, NC to Washington for Review and muster out. Is buried at Fairbury, NE.

Ben Corbin, Co. H, 75th Illinois, enlisted August 15, 1862. Was wounded at Terryville, Kentucky 5 times Sept 5, 1862. Was in the hospital the rest of his service. Discharged in August 1863. Never entirely recovered from his wounds. He is buried at Western.

A. M. Corbin, Co. G, 31st Wisconsin. Enlisted September 25, 1862. Discharged July 8, 1865. Was in the Army of the Cumberland, 14th Army Corps and its battles til the close of the War, Review at Washington and mustered out. Is buried at Fairfield, NE.

A. M. Smith, Co. A, 13th Maine. Enlisted November 6, 1861. Discharged November 7, 1864. Was in General Butler's expedition to New Orleans with Faragut for its capture. Served in the Department of the Gulf at Port Hudson, Bank's Red River Campaign in the 19th Corps in the battle of Sabine Crop Wood (?) in support of the Battery. His eardrums were burst by concussion. Went with the 15th Corp to Washington to reinforce Sheridan in the Valley. Engaged in the Battles of Winchester, Ohequin, Fisher Hill and Cedar Creek. Transferred from this Post to Western and is buried in Western.

James Thomas, Co. B, 3rd Wisconsin. This was a notable regiment. Served 4 years in the Shenandoah Valley under Bank's, then at Cedar Mountain and Pope's Battles of Manassas and second Battle of Bull Run. Placed in the 12th Corps at Antetum, Fredericksburg, Chancelorsville and Gettysburg, then came west with the 11th and 12th Corps under Hooker, engaged at Wattucha, Look Out Mountain, Mission Ridge, Rooseville, Ringold. 

Then re-enlisting on the consolidation of the 11th and 12th Corps. Was in William's 1st Division, 20th Corps. Took part in all the Battles of the Corps on the Atlanta Campaign, the March to the Sea, the Carolina Campaign, the Surrender at Raleigh, the March to Washington and Review. Comrade Thomas was severely wounded Robertsville South Carolina the regiments' first battle of the Carolina Campaign. Was in the hospital the rest of his service. His wounds never healed. Moved to Iowa. Burial unknown to me.

His father Henry Thomas, Co. B, 49th Wisconsin served 3 years. I do not know his Corps or Department. Went to Iowa with his son James. I do not know his place of burial.

L. B. Thomas, Co. I, 15th Iowa. Enlisted November 4, 1861. Discharged July 24, 1865. Went on steamboat from St. Louis to Pittsburg Landing. April 6, 1862 got off the boat and into the Battle of Shiloh. Then the Siege of Corrinth, the Battle of Corrinth in the fall. Then placed in the 17th Corps in the brigade consisting of the 11th Iowa, 13th Iowa and 16th Iowa. Colonel Crooker of the 13th commanding. Was in all the battles of the Corps during the Vicksburg Campaign and Siege, then was in garrison at Vicksburg. 

Took part in Sherman's Meridian Campaign. Re-enlisted and came with divisions of the 17th Corps under Blair to reinforce Sherman's Army on the Atlanta Campaign, joining Sherman's Army June 6th at Acworth, Georgia. Colonel Read was made Brigadier General. Major Belknap was made Colonel, then Brigadier General. He succeeded Crooker in command of the Brigade and commanded until the close of the War. The regiment took part in the rest of the Atlanta Campaign, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Ligget's Hill July 21st, Atlanta July 22nd, Siege of Atlanta, Jonesborough and Lovejoy Station. 

Comrade Thomas was taken prisoner July 22nd, was exchanged in the special exchange of Sherman and Hood. Then the March to the Sea, the Carolina Campaign was engaged at the Cropping of the Salkahatchie, Orangeburg, Bentonville, the Surrender and the Review in Washington. Then to Louisville, KY where they mustered out. Comrade Thomas was transferred from this Post to Fremont then went to California.

Jabez Mitchel, Co. B, 30th Illinois. Enlisted August 9, 1861. Was discharged August 27, 1865. Was in General Grant's 1st Battle at Belmont. Then at Ft. Donaldson, Shiloh, Corrinth, then was in Logan's Division of the 17th Corps in all it's battles up to and during the Vicksburg Campaign and siege. 

Then in garrison at Vicksburg. Re-enlisting after Logan's promotion to command of the 15th Corps. Leggett commanded the division. Was in the Meridian Expedition, in the Atlanta Campaign from Acworth to the close of the Campaign. Was promoted to Color Sergeant and carried the flag of the regiment to the close, the March to the Sea, the Carolina Campaign, the Campaign to Shiloh and the Surrender and the Review at Washington. Then to Louisville, KY for muster out. Died at his daughter's and was buried in the family cemetery in Illinois.

Isaac Lightbody, Co. C, 12th Illinois Cavalry. Enlisted November 4, 1863. Discharged May 23, 1866. Was in the Departments of the Tennessee and Arkansas. Is buried at Powell, NE.

Henry Alpress, Co. H, 12th Illinois Cavalry. Enlisted September 27, 1864. Discharged June 16th, 1865, transferred from this Post to Western and is buried at Western.

Of the remnant of this Post still living: Thomas Mason, Co. F, 125th Illinois. Enlisted August 5th, 1862 for 3 years. Was in the Army of the Cumberland and after the re-organization of the Corps was in the 20th Army Corps. Took part in all the battles of the Corps in the Atlanta Campaign. March to the Sea, Carolina Campaign, Johnson's surrender, the Review at Washington and muster out.

James Houck, Co. D,1st Ohio Cavalry. Enlisted August 5th, 1861. Discharged Sept 27. 1865. Served 4 years 2 months. Was in Lang's Brigade, Gerard's Division, Army of the Cumberland and took part in the Cavalry engagements of that brigade up to the close of the Atlanta Campaign, Hood's Campaign to Nashville, then in the formation of Cavalry Corps. Was in Lang's Brigade, Hatch's Division of Wilson's Corps. In the Great Raid and Cavalry Campaign of Wilson's Corps from Gravely Springs, Mississippi to Selma and Montgomery, Alabama to Macon, Georgia and the close of the War.

H. C. Welch, Co. K, 15th Iowa. Enlisted as a recruit Oct 31, 1864. Discharged June 26, 1865. Was in the March to the Sea, the Carolina Campaign, to Goldsburough, then to Raleigh, then to Washington. Was sick in the hospital at the time of the Review, and was discharged at Washington.

David Frankforter, Co. H, 49th Ohio. Enlisted Sept 4, 1861. Discharged Nov 30, 1865. Was in Buel's Army of the Cumberland, the 2nd day at Shiloh, the siege of Corrinth, Buel's Kentucky Campaign to Murphysburough, there the 89th Illinois was brigaded with them. 

There was the regiment of D. C. Marsh who enlisted Aug 12, 1862 and discharged in June 1865. Their regiments were in Willick's Brigade, T .J. Wood's Division, 4th Army and were in all the battles the division was in from Stone River on. At Chickamauga they both were wounded, Frankforter in the mouth and Marsh in the right thigh. After Mission Ridge, was the re-enlistment of the 49th Ohio, then the Atlanta Campaign, then the Corps was sent to Thomas (?) to meet Hood on the wounding of General Stanley, the 4th Corps commander at Franklin.

 T. J. Wood took command of the Corps and commanded it at Nashville 
and until the close. Frankforter was wounded the 2nd time in the mouth at Resacca and Marsh the 2nd time in the left foot at Picket's Mills. In this battle each of their regiments lost the most of any of the battles they were in. General Howard who commanded the 4th Corps at that time reports in his official report that T. J. Wood's Division lost 1800 in 40 minutes. I have read his report and also Pat Clayborn's (sic) report who commanded on the other side. The flanking movements of Sherman's Army up to this time at Dallas had been by the right flank. Here it was by the left flank.

That morning the supply train of my division, (the 1st of the 15th Corps) unloaded their wagons in the rear of the Army of the Cumberland where Hooker had his Battle cropping the Pumpkin Vine Creek and went back to get new loads and I was one of a detail from my regiment to guard the supplies, so I heard the firing. I was on guard at the time. Howard says, "The object was to nip the Rebel lines and Wood to strike in flank and rear". Claiborne says, "That by rapid marching he got there first, threw up entrenchment's, placing his first line in the ditch and the front and rear rank could fire under the logs and the second line was behind the first so that both front and rear could fire over the top of the head logs so Wood's division got a volley both lines at once". 

I thought that volley was the heaviest that I ever heard. General Claiborne was at Franklin, leading his men in the charge on the works of the 4th Corps. After Nashville and the pursuit of Hood, the 4th Corps was sent to support Stoneman's Cavalry in their Campaign into western North Carolina. Then after the War closed the 89th Illinois and 62 other regiments were mustered out, the 49th Ohio and the veteran regiments were sent to Sheridan on the Rio Grande in Texas. When Napoleon got the French troops out of Mexico, they were mustered out.

G. A. Tyson who lived here so long and two years ago moved to California, served 3 years in Co. K, 5th Mo. Cavalry in Missouri and Arkansas. Then afterwards served a few months in a battalion of Nebraska Scouts in the Indian War in Nebraska.

I was 14 years old when the War commenced. In the call for 500,000 men to fill up the old regiments, I enlisted February 22, 1864 in Co. I, 30th Iowa. I joined the regiment at Paint Rock, Alabama. Was in the Trianna Expedition and in the Atlanta Campaign at Resacca, Rome Cross Roads, the flanking movements at Adairsville and Kingston, the Battle of Dallas, New Hope church, Big Shanty and Kenesaw Mountain. Here I was taken sick with fever, sent to the hospital at Rome, Georgia and when convalescent was put on duty at hospital headquarters. 

Was there until the March to the Sea. Joined the regiment at Atlanta and on this march was on reserve at the Battle of Griswaldville. Was in Wright's Bridge Station #2, Siege of  Savannah on the Carolina Campaign, South Edisto to North Edisto, Congree Creek, Columbia and Bentonville, the Campaign from Goldsburough to Raleigh and Johnson's Surrender, the March from Raleigh to Richmond and Washington and the Review. Then the order to muster out all troops, time expiring by October 1, 1864. This took the regiment and all the recruits were transferred to the 6th Iowa, a re-enlistment regiment. 

May 30th was sent to Louisville, KY. Mustered out July 21st in Co. C, 6th Iowa. Sent to Davenport, Iowa for Discharge and pay. Paid off July 29th. Got home August 1, 1865.

Comrades, soon we all will leap over the River, The Word of God speaking of the Christian Dead says; "Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord. They rest from their labors and their works do follow them". So with the Nation's dead their works do follow them as the years that have past since the struggle for the Nation's life. We have seen our nation grow to first rank in the nations of the World and in every emergency as in the Spanish War and the World War, the young men have come to the defense of the Flag as comrades. 

We are proud of the Grand Army of the Republic, organized in fraternity, charity and loyalty in keeping remembrance of the Nation's Dead, seeking for honor and trust in public affairs, loyalty to Government and obedience to its laws and that every department of trust has been filled by our Comrades, Presidents Grant, Hayes, Garfield and McKinley served in the field and President Arthur, during the Civil War was Adjutant General of the State of New York and done so much in putting the New York troops in the field. 

Young Comrades of the Legion, The G.A.R. and the Nation are proud of you. You have before you a great future. May you faithfully serve in the principles for which you are organized, so that when you too top over and your work is done, the Nation will say; "Well done".