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         WAR FOR THE UNION. From the time the Government was established up to 1860, slavery, as a public question, entered into nearly every political contest. The States of the Union in which slavery existed feared their rights would be encroached upon, and to allay such fears and maintain peace various measures were passed. These only served for a little while, and were never quite satisfactory to either party interested. That known as the “Missouri Compromise” seemed to come nearer a solution of the difficulty than any other, and was the most satisfactory to the Northern States, and seemed for a time, also, to satisfy the South. By the terms of that compromise slavery was confined south of an imaginary line known as the Mason and Dixon line. The rapid growth of the North, and the formation of new States without slavery, alarmed the Southern people, who feared the loss of power. Then came the repeal of the “Missouri Compromise,” the adoption of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, and the question of the introduction of the slaves into the Territories. The Republican party, formed for the purpose of preventing any further extension of slavery, was regarded as a menace by the south, and threats of secession were made in the event of that party coming into power. In the Presidential campaign of 1860, the Republicans, with Abraham Lincoln as their leader, presented a solid front, while the Democracy was divided, presenting Stephen A. Douglas as a candidate for the Presidency, representing the Northern wing of the party, and John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, representing the Southern wing. John Bell, of Tennessee, was also a candidate, receiving his nomination from the Union party, composed principally of those formerly affiliating with the American or Know-Nothing party. The election of Lincoln was almost a foregone conclusion. While it was known that there were many hot-headed men in the South willing to plunge the country into civil war, few persons realized the danger, or for a moment believed that the threats of the Southern people would be carried into execution. Little was known of the preparations being made in the South for the event sure to follow the election of Lincoln. When the result of the general election was known, and months before the inauguration of Lincoln as President, South Carolina and other States passed ordinances of secession, and preparations were made to resist any force that would be sent against them, as well as to obtain possession of any property belonging to the General Government within the limits of . . .

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. . . their States. At Charleston, S. C., two forts were in the possession of the United States authorities, Fts. Moultrie and Sumter. The former was abandoned, the troops being moved to the latter. Early in April, 1861, the authorities of South Carolina demanded their surrender, and being refused, erected fortifications upon the mainland for the purpose of bombardment. No attempt was made to prevent them, and when completed, another demand was made with threats of opening fire upon the fort in case of refusal. In Ft. Sumter were Maj. Anderson and a gallant band of loyal men, with provisions to last but a short time. To the demand for the surrender a refusal was sent, and on the morning of April 12, 1861, the rebels commenced the attack by opening fire upon the fort. The fire was returned by the brave commander of the fort, but on the 14th he was compelled to lower his flag and yield to the rebels.

The first gun fired upon Ft. Sumter reverberated throughout the whole length and breadth of the land, and was more of a call to arms than the proclamation of President Lincoln for 75,000 men, which immediately followed. There was no lack of response to this call among the Northern States, and no State more enthusiastically and patriotically responded than the State of Iowa. Men and money were offered without reserve. Volunteers came from all vocations in life, and offered up their lives on the altar of their country. Patriotism was dominant in every heart. Party lines were ignored, and political conflicts were forgotten, and all formed themselves together for the preservation of the Union. The proclamation of Abraham Lincoln was issued on the 15th day of April, 1861, and two days afterward Gov. Kirkwood issued his proclamation calling for the men of Iowa to offer their services to the Union. Louisa County came promptly to the front, and from the first to the last did its duty faithfully, furnishing many of the best men, whose lives were offered up as a sacrifice that the Union might be saved. Time would fail to tell of the heroic deeds of those who went out in life’s young manhood, and now sleep upon Southern soil, or who returned with body racked with pain, possibly minus an arm or a limb, and yet remain suffering in body and mind, with the consciousness that many of their fellow-countrymen fail to appreciate what they have done.

While the boys were in the field the patriotic men and women remaining at home were not idle. Especially should the women of Louisa County have credit for what they did. Think of the struggle of the wife giving up a loved husband, the mother a dutiful son, and the maiden a lover with whom she imagined that her future life was to be passed, while love would reign supreme in their hearts. But they not only gave them up, but sent them forth with their blessing, while praying the God of battles to bring them safely home again. During the four long years that passed they held in check their tears, often with an almost breaking heart, wrote loving and cheerful letters to the absent ones, formed societies for the purpose of obtaining and forwarding to the front sanitary supplies. It was indeed a grand work in which they engaged, and not a soldier boy whose heart was so callous that he did not gratefully appreciate the service. Even at this late day, when a quarter of a century has passed, as they gather together at their reunions they tell how their hearts were cheered by this loving remembrance.

But the war is now over, peace reigns supreme throughout the land, 4,000,000 of human beings have obtained that freedom for which they prayed but hardly hoped for. But it was a fearful price to be paid, though there are few regret it, and may it never occur again. While it has been said that the brave boys who yet remain have a consciousness that their services are not appreciated by some, yet the great majority do not neglect to show their appreciation, and once each year all gather in the various cemeteries of the land, and while they strew the graves of the fallen soldiers with beautiful flowers, let fall the silent tear, teach their children lessons of patriotism, urging them to likewise be faithful, and that it is grand to die for one’s country.