Iowa Old Press
Keosauqua Republican
Keosauqua, Van Buren co. Iowa
April 26, 1861
WAR SPIRIT IN VAN BUREN
A large and enthusiastic meeting was held at the Court
House last Saturday night, at which, preliminary steps were taken
towards raising a volunteer company to be placed at the disposal
of the Governor in answer to the call of the President for
troops. After consultation as to the kind of company, and the
best mode of proceeding, the meeting adjourned at 2 o'clock
Wednesday afternoon. At the hour appointed the house was crowded,
and many who came afterward failed to gain admittance. All parts
of the county was represented. The meeting was organized by the
appointment of Maj. King as President, and Capts. Bonney and
Shaw, Vice Presidents. Short addresses were made by J. M. Tuttle,
Caldwell and Webster; afterwhich a beating for volunteers
commenced, and over eighty were enrolled for service. Maj. King
paraded the company on the public square, when the commissioned
officers were chosen, the election of the remainder being
postponed for a future meeting of the company. The following are
the ones elected: Capt., J. M. Tuttle; 1st Lieutenant, George F.
Wright; 2nd do., Ed. Wilkins.
The company is subject to the order of the Governor. Arms will be
procured as soon as possible. The captain started to see the
Governor in reference to the arms yesterday.
The company meet on the first day of May, at the Fair Grounds,
when it will go into camp.
Good solid material are embraced in this company. Some of the
best citizens of Van Buren are in it. We may publish a list of
the names hereafter. Steps were taken to make ample provisions
for the families of those who volunteered.
[transcribed by M.O., March 2017]