Monday, November 3, 2014

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood To the Soldiers of Iowa in the Army of the Tennessee, July 11, 1863

Executive Office, Iowa,
Iowa City, July 11, 1863.
To the Soldiers of Iowa in the Army of the Tennessee:

You have passed through one of the most memorable campaigns of history, and are now rewarded for all your toil, privation and suffering by beholding the foul emblem of treason trailed in the dust to give place to the glorious banner of Liberty over the city of Vicksburg.

The eyes of the world have been upon you and your brave and worthy comrades from other States, and admiration of your fortitude, patience and indomitable bravery, watching the progress of your work as one of those great events which shapes the destiny of a nation.

You yourselves have probably been unaware of the momentous results consequent upon your failure or success. Despots the world over have earnestly desired the former, while the good, the generous and the nobly brave have prayed Almighty God to give you the victory. But while the world has been thus observant of you, all lovers of liberty in Iowa have beheld with an intensity of gaze and admiration unknown to others the deeds of her valiant sons. Many thousands of her citizens are bound to you by kindred ties, while every one has felt that the name and standing of this State were in your hands, and that he was honored in your honor, and that he shared in your glory.

The brightest hope of all is realized. You have not only maintained the lofty reputation of your country and your State, but have added greatly thereto, and shown the world that whoever insults the flag of our beloved country must meet the bravest of the brave.

The State of Iowa is proud of your achievements and renders you her homage and gratitude, and with exultant heart and exuberant joy claims you as her sons. Her tears flow for the brave men fallen, and her sympathies are warm for the sick, wounded and suffering.

You have made it a high privilege to be a citizen of Iowa to share your renown, and it will be a proud remembrance to you while life shall last and a rich legacy to your children that you were members of the Army of the Tennessee.

Samuel J. Kirkwood.

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 243-4

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