Saturday, September 6, 2014

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Colonel Cyrus Bussey, August 2, 1861

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, IOWA, August 2, 1861.

I am compelled to be absent some two weeks at Washington City, looking after the clothing and equipments of the new regiments raised, and being raised, in this State for the United States Service; and also to procure, if possible, a further supply of arms for the use of the State. In the meantime, you must exercise your discretion as to the means necessary for the safety of the frontier under your care. The first object — and one that must be attained at all hazards and at any sacrifice — is to secure the lives and property of our people. You have my full authority to adopt such measures as you may deem essential to this end.

Report promptly to the Adjutant-General whatever you may find it necessary to do. If I succeed in procuring arms, I hope to place the border in a more efficient state of defense.

SOURCES: Samuel Storrs Howe, Editor, Annals of Iowa, Series 3, Volume 5, No. 2, July 1901, p. 90;  Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 169 according to whom this letter, dated August 1st, was also sent to Colonels John Edwards, Asahel W. Hubbard and Caleb Baldwin.

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