David Ross Winters

When I reach the name of one who, like David Winters, was one of my school-fellows, a companion of my boyhood days, and an acquaintance and friend for many years, my heart assists my pen, and yet I feel how barren are my words in yielding a tribute for the young life given away. To surrender life in the morning of youth — to die and be buried in the earth in defense of country — is a sacrifice the greatness of which we do not realize. We cannot bestow too much gratitude, let us be ever so liberal. I adore the memory of the soldiers. Poor men! bleeding and suffering; starving in prison; dying in hospitals, away from home and loved ones — for me and for my children; for you and for yours, O reader!

David Ross Winters was born near Steubenville, Ohio, Oct. 15, 1842 — son of Mr. Martin Winters, of Des Moines, He came to this city with his parents in October, 1853, and it was during the winter of 53-4 that I first became acquainted with him, meeting him in the school-room. Many of the old residents of Des Moines remember how well David used to speak in Mr. Nash's school exhibitions in the old Court-house. I remember well with what energy he recited, on one occasion, the eulogy of Lafayette, beginning: "Pile to the clouds the majestic column of glory; let the lips of those who can speak well, hallow the spot where the bones of your bold repose."

His mother says he always delighted in reading of heroes. He pored over the pages which record the acts of Captain Smith, and of adventurers among the Indians. His favorite books were the lives of Washington and Napoleon, which he read through a great many times. He has said often that he was sorry Be did not live in those days, to serve under Washington or Napoleon. As soon as the Rebellion began he was anxious to enter the service; but, on account of being afflicted with rheumatism, his application to enlist in Company D, 2d Iowa Infantry, was rejected. He finally succeeded in being taken into Company B, 15th Iowa, and says Captain Studer : —

"He was a most excellent and dutiful soldier in every respect, and a splendid young man. Kind, noble, generous, of a jovial disposition, he was a friend among all. To alleviate and nurse his suffering comrades, watching at their bedside by night, yet doing duty by day, was a pleasure to him. While I was lying very ill of typhoid fever in our camp, south of Corinth, this noble boy nursed me and waited on me with the tenderness and devotion of a son or brother. I will ever gratefully remember him. He behaved well at Shiloh, performed faithful duty without interruption during the siege of Corinth, took part in all the marches and duties of the regiment thereafter up to the battle of Corinth, where bravely and stubbornly fighting (Oct. 3, 1862), he received a gunshot wound in his right arm, among the foremost in the battle. After being wounded he refused to be sent to hospital, and had not the surgeon's orders been peremptory, he would have remained with the company, and, perhaps, have been a well man today. His death was deeply regretted throughout the company."

He died Oct. 19, 1863, at Mound City, Ill., in hospital.

SOURCE: Leonard Brown, American Patriotism: Or, Memoirs Of Common Men, p. 223-4