Welcome to Iowa Department Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

As we know, General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, officially proclaimed Decoration Day as a time the fraternal Order would adorn the graves of their Comrades who "died in defense of their country".

On May 30, 1868 flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

By 1890 Decoration Day was observed by all of the northern states. But, the South refused to acknowledge the day.

G.O. 11 originally called only the Comrades of the G.A.R. to come forward to decorate the graves of the fallen and was to continue until not one Comrade remained...but, World War I changed that Order and encompassed all who have fallen in defense of this Grand Nation.

We are close to that time, once again, Brothers.

Colonel William H. Kinsman

Monument

Rededication Service & Commemoration

It is not often that a sesquicentennial event is commemorated on the exact day the event happened.  In this case, the re-dedication of the monument to Colonel William H. Kinsman, commander of the 23^rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry happened on the exact date (May 18) he died from mortal wounds inflicted as he led the decisive charge of his regiment at the Battle of Big Black River Bridge, Mississippi during the Vicksburg campaign in 1863.

The Monument, having fallen into disrepair, was restored  under a joint effort of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the Historic Lincoln-Fairview Neighborhood Association, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the City of Council Bluffs.

The ceremony opened with a cannon shot fired by 2nd Lt. Glen Kelley, Co. B, 10^th Iowa, SVR from a 3-inch ordnance rifle forged in 1862.

The Posting of the Colors was performed by Co. A, 49^th Iowa, SVR, 2^nd Lt. Danny Krock, commanding.

The National Anthem    was sung by Mrs. Carol Forristall of Macedonia, Iowa.  The    

Invocation was given by Dept. Chaplain Dennis Sasse.  The welcome was given by Master of Ceremonies 1st Lt. Michael Carr, Co. B, 10^th Iowa, SVR.

Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan gave the assembled audience of over 150 spectators a hearty welcome and urged them to take part in other projects designed to preserve and perpetuate the history and heritage of Iowa.

One of our most honored speakers was Mrs. Kori Nelson, Director, Historic Dodge House Museum (former home of Major General Grenville M. Dodge and friend of Col. Kinsman.). Following her speech, four ROTC Airforce cadets from Abraham Lincoln High School read letters from comrades of Kinsman who contributed to the building of the monument.  Mrs. Nelson presented a binder to the Department of Iowa containing facsimiles of a cache of letters donated to the Dodge House (These will be posted to the Department web page.).

Iowa SUVCW Dept. Commander Richard Grim gave a short address on the purposes and goals of the Order.  In keeping with the original ceremony, conducted on May 17, 1902,

A wreath was laid by Dept. Commander Richard Grim and Jane Gebhardt, Chapter Vice Regent, Council Bluffs Chapter NSDAR.

The keynote address was given by Mrs. Dennis (Glasgow) Mulshine, great-great granddaughter of Colonel Samuel Glasgow, Kinsman’s  second-in-command and successor.

The dedication of Monument was performed by Dept. Commander Grim, 1^st Lt. Carr (Officer of the Day) and Dept. Chaplain Dennis Sasse.  The Symbols of the Soldier were placed by the Nebraska Rangers SVR, Capt. Marc Witkovski, Commanding.  This unit fired the customary three volleys in honor of the fallen.  Sgt. Henry Krecklow, Co. B, 10^th Iowa, concluded the ceremony by the playing of “Taps”.

Submitted in F, C, & L,

Michael Carr, PDC