If it were not beyond the bounds of possibility, every man from Polk County who took up arms voluntarily in defense of his country, would be mentioned at length in these pages — the living as well as the dead. Madison R. Laird lived to see the end of the rebellion; returned home, and engaged in the peaceful pursuits of life; after a brief sojourn amongst his friends and kindred at home, yielded up his life, and was consigned to the "narrow house prepared for all living," respected and honored for what he had done and suffered in the cause of his country; a good citizen, and a true patriot, his death was lamented by all who knew him, and he was widely known. Died Dec. 3, 1866. The following obituary notice appeared in the columns of the "Daily State Register," of the morning of Dec. 4th:—
"Lieutenant Madison R. Laird, a faithful officer of the 16th Iowa Infantry, died in this city yesterday morning. He was in different prisons of the South for nine months, and it was while in the prison at Columbia, that he received the glad news of his exchange. He made two unsuccessful efforts to escape and reach our lines. The last time he got in sight of our gun-boats, but only to have his joyous anticipations of liberty and reunion with friends blasted by the sudden appearance of his pursuers, who returned him to bondage. It was in prison that he contracted the disease from which he never recovered, and yesterday morning he passed to his final home. The funeral will take place to-day in accordance with a notice in another column. Let all soldiers and friends of soldiers attend, and pay the last tribute of respect to the departed."
Born in Dalton, Wayne County, Ohio, August 3, 1833; came to Des Moines, June, 1854; engaged in business with the firm of Laird Brothers; was also surveyor and civil engineer. In 1860 and 1861 he was in Colorado; hastened home to enlist in the service of his country, expressing a regret that he was not here to enter the first company organized; enlisted as a private in Company F, 16th Iowa, December 18, 1861; was elected second sergeant; fought bravely in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, and Iuka; was severely wounded in the left side, a little above the heart (the ball glancing from his ribs), in the battle of Iuka, Sept. 19, 1862; reenlisted as a veteran, January, 1864; was taken prisoner near Atlanta, in battle, July 22, 1864; exchanged, March, 1865. His escape from prison in company with Captain John H. Turner, and three other Federal officers, and their recapture, would form a very interesting history. They were treated with great kindness by the negroes in their attempted escape.
Madison R. Laird was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company F, 16th Iowa, Jan. 12, 1863; mustered out at the close of the war, May 15, 1865. On the front of the beautiful monument erected to his memory by the Laird Brothers, is inscribed, —
"MADISON."
On the reverse : —
"M. R. LAIRD,
LIEUTENANT COMPANY F, 16TH IOWA INFANTRY,
Born at Dalton, Ohio, Aug. 3,1833.
Fought at the battle of Shiloh;
Severely wounded at Iuka;
Taken prisoner at Atlanta;
Eight months in Rebel Prisons;
Died Dec. 4,1866."
Of the many letters written home by Lieutenant Laird, the following is the only one which has come into my hands. It was directed to his brother, J. M. Laird, and is descriptive of the battle of Shiloh : —
Pittsburg Landing, April 8th, 1864.
Dear Brother, — The great fight is over, and I am still in the land of the living; which is more than I can say of thousands who were well on Sunday morning. We arrived here on Friday night last, and on Sunday at 10 A. M., we were led into the fight. To give you a description of the battle would take more paper than I have at my command.
The attack was made by the Rebels, who must have had an immense force. They drove us inch by inch toward the river until about 4 o'clock, P. M., when General Buell came in. He had no men with him but a few of his body guard; but he rode along the lines, calling on the boys for God's sake to hold the Rebels in check for two hours longer, until his reinforcements could cross the river. These reinforcements came none too soon. We held our position until night, and lay on our arms in line of battle until morning. It rained heavily all night.
During the night, General Buell's forces were crossing the river, and fast as they came over, they formed in line of battle. When morning came, the Rebels commenced the attack with the greatest fury. They thought they had a sure thing on us, and were surprised at the warm reception with which they were met. They commenced to retreat about 11 o'clock, which soon turned into a total rout. The slaughter was then immense. The troops who were in the first day's fight, were not in the hottest part of the fight on Monday, as they were completely exhausted. They were, however, brought out in line to act as a reserve, and many of the boys lay right down in the line and went to sleep when the shells were momentarily bursting over their heads.
Where the Rebels are now, I am unable to say; but I have no doubt that General Buell is punishing them wherever they are. Our regiment lost about 150 in killed and wounded. James Devault was wounded in the arm, but not dangerously. I never received a scratch, but such a whistling of balls was not desirable to hear. I was over the field of battle the next day, and have no anxiety to go over it again. It was a horrible sight; but a soldier soon gets used to anything.
SOURCE: Leonard Brown, American Patriotism: Or, Memoirs Of "Commen Men", p.233-6
