November 22, 1906
________
10:30 A. M.
Music (Brass
Quartette): Fifty-fifth Iowa Regimental Band
"Blest Be the
Tie That Binds"
Address:
General James B.
Weaver of Colfax, Iowa
Governor Cummins,
Members of the Commission, Ladies and Gentlemen:
This was a very hot place on the day of the battle. Iowa did
not have a bad regiment in the field, nor a regiment that failed to reflect
credit upon the commonwealth and the flag, and she had no regiment in the field
that excelled the Second Iowa Infantry. The men in that regiment were as
gallant as ever shouldered a musket or faced an enemy in battle. I will tell
you some things that took place right here.
Standing here to my left is Captain McNeal, of the Second
Iowa Infantry. This was the right of our regiment, — the left extended along
the “Sunken Road.” Captain McNeal at that time was an orderly sergeant, and he
had upon his cartridge box this piece of brass (shows piece of brass). It was
convex when he took his position down there on the left of the regiment, but it
is concave now, as you see. It was made concave by a solid shot, and I saw it
strike him. This piece of brass upon his cartridge box saved his life. I saw
the same cannon ball strike another man and mortally wound him.
The battle here was so hot that the very birds were
confused, and the quail absolutely played around my feet. They did not know
what to do. They forgot their cunning and knew not how to fly. The little
swifts with which you comrades are familiar, were confused, and could not run
nor get out of our way. It was a most terrific battle, here at the “Hornet’s
Nest.”
I feel that I have been highly honored in being permitted to
accompany this party of citizens from Iowa to dedicate these monuments, and I
am especially thankful to Almighty God that my strength has been so spared that
I can return here, after forty-four years, and participate in the dedication of
these memorials. Unless some vandal displaces them, they will stand here until
the end of time.
Our commission is entitled to the gratitude of every soldier
and of the whole people of the state for having selected such enduring material
for commemorating the valor and courage of those who fought here. May God in
His mercy bless us and bless posterity and keep alive the love of God, the love
of country, and the love of the flag — the trinity of affection which will make
for the greatness of this nation for all time. I thank you.
Benediction:
Rev. Dr. A. L. Frisbie
of Des Moines, Iowa
"Grant, O God, thy continued favor as we go on with our
pilgrimage of peace. In these days of prosperity, we pray that we may learn
wisdom from the past, and remember the sublime victories that are to be won in
peace through citizenship and character; that so we may be helped continually
to approach the higher levels of life by which alone our nation shall attain
its proper greatness. Guide us on our
way, and accept our thanks for all thy mercies to us through dark days to the
days of brightness and of peace, in the name of Christ, our Lord. Amen."
SOURCE: Alonzo
Abernathy, Editor, Dedication of
Monuments Erected By The State Of Iowa, 220-1
See Also
See Also
