of
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, pages 130-131
DEVOTION TO COUNTRY UNPARALLELED IN HISTORY. When final pay day came the men were astonished to find they did not receive the bounty given to other three year men. They had received it in part before. The paymaster who had paid them had been credited with the amount as a proper disbursement by the accounting officers of the government. They were deeply chagrined to find not only that they were not to receive the balance of the bounty due but that the sums they had received on that account were to be deducted from their pay. There were many expressions of indignation. Their services were not indeed rendered in the tented field in the face of the enemy except during the attack on Memphis, but they performed valuable, onerous and oftentimes most disagreeable duties. They received many favorable expressions from commanding officers under whom they served. General Willich, the last general officer under whose command they served, thus wrote to the adjutant general of the army:
"Headquarters, Cincinnati, Ohio.
May 13, 1865.
Brigadier General L. Thomas, Adjutant General U. S. Army.
General:--I have the honor to submit to your consideration the following:
The Thirty-seventh Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, called the 'Greybeards,' now on duty at this post, consist exclusively of old men--none under forty-five, many over sixty years of age. After the men of this regiment had devoted their sons and grandsons to the number of thirteen hundred men to the service of their country, their patriotism induced them to enlist themselves for garrison duty, thus enabling the government to send the young men to the front. Officers and men would cheerfully remain in the service as long as they are wanted, though they are very badly needed at home to save the next harvest, most of them being farmers. I most respectfully submit to you whether there is any necessity now to hold these old men under such heavy sacrifices.
They have received the commendations of their former post commanders. At this post they have performed very heavy duties, which to perform would even have been difficult for an equal number of young men. The high patriotism displayed by these men in devoting a few years of their old age to their country's service is unparalleled in history and commands the respect of every true republican.
I therefore most respectfully recommend that the Thirty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry may be mustered out of service immediately, with the honors and acknowledgments of their services due to the noble spirit with which they gave so glorious an example to the youths of their country.
Very respectfully, etc.,
J. WILLICH."
General Willich's request was granted and the regiment was accordingly mustered out, being the first of the Iowa troops enlisted for three years to be discharged from the service. The command disbanded on the very day of the grand review of the armies at Washington.
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