Iowa Infantry 6th Regt. 1861-1865

Officers and Soldiers of the 6th Iowa V.V. Infantry

Peace has dawned upon the nation. The Union is restored. Ports and public property are repossessed. The serpent that darted, with poisonous fangs, at the vitals of the Republic, no longer tempts the statesman. Its head is fatally bruised, and it has no mourners.

At your hands no further sacrifices are demanded, and our benificent Government. having gratefully acknowledged your patriotic services, to morrow, restores you to our beloved Iowa.

Your mediate commanding officers, in bidding you farewell, added each a worthy tribute to your valor, endurance, fidelity and patriotism.

It seems fitting that I, who have been more intimately associated with you during these four eventful years, should repeat the "God bless you"as it passes down the line.

You have not advertised, yet your regiment is not unknown. It has marched seven thousand miles. It has fought twenty-seven battles. Over four hundred Southern graves its name is written. Its flag was never lowered to the accursed emblem of treason.

With comrades, from sister States, you swept the enemy from Missouri; mingled in the terrible struggle of Shiloh; scoured Mississippi; laid seige to Vicksburg; captured Jackson: scaled Lookout Mountain; relieved Knoxville; pursued a stubborn foe from Kesacca?, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kennesaw, Chattahoochie. Peachtree Creek, Ezra Chapel. Jonesboro, Lovejoy and Atlanta. Together with the brigade you repulsed at Griswoldville, a force of five times its numbers, marched down to the sea: thence, through the Carolinas. and terminated your glorious campaigns -With a triumphal procession, amid the plaudits of your countrymen, at the federal capital.

I shall not presume to advise for the future. There are those who, looking to another continent for precedent, unmindful that the American soldier is yet a citizen, and battles only in defense of laws enacted by the people, are apprehensive that a degree of lawlessness and anarchy, will follow the disbandment of a great army. Their fears will soon be dissipated, intelligent men never voluntarily resign the enjoyments of home, and breast the battlestorm, to serve a government they do not respect, or defend institutions they do not love. A volunteer soldier is a patriot. Patriotism dictates ready and cheerful obedience to the Constitution and the laws.

Loved ones will rejoice at your safe return. Others will weep as your battle-torn banners are borne proudly through their streets. Fathers, brothers, sons and busbands, have fallen by your side. Tell the sorrowing father, the weeping widow and the mourning sister, "He died bravely at the iron front. The Southern breeze, that sighs a requiem over the resting place of your loved one shall never fan a slave." But how idle is human consolation. God alone can assuage their grief.

'Twill be alike your pleasure and duty to stand faithful sentinels at the threshold of the orphan's home. Guard it well, that gaunt Famine, Starvation, and Want, shall never enter there.

With many thanks for your personal kindness, and implicit obedience to orders, while under my command, I bid you farewell.

May your paths ever wind through pleasant places. and your future lives be prosperous and happy, as your deeds have been glorious and honorable.

W.H. Clune
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding.