The regiment marched with its brigade and division from Columbus to Macon,
arriving at the latter place just after the rebel forces which had occupied it
had surrendered unconditionally. The war was now practically ended, but the
services of the Union troops could not at once be dispensed with. The rebel
soldiers, having been paroled, were rapidly returning to their homes. The
country was in a state of destitution, the civil authorities incapable of
exercising proper control, and it was necessary, for the preservation of order
and the protection of life and property, that the military power should be
exercised for a considerable length of time. Early in May the regiment with its
brigade and division proceeded to Atlanta, where headquarters were established,
but detachments were sent into the surrounding country.
The duty was irksome and the men were anxious to return to their homes, but it
was late in the summer before their services could be safely dispensed with. On
the 2nd of August orders were received directing the assembling of the Third and
Fourth Regiments of Iowa Cavalry at Atlanta for the purpose of being mustered
out of the service of the United States, at Atlanta, Ga. It was soon after
provided with transportation to Davenport Iowa, and, upon reaching that place,
the regiment was disbanded and the men departed for their homes.
In the long list of Iowa regiments, the outlines of whose history the
compiler of this sketch has attempted to describe not one has been found to
surpass the glorious record of patriotic service rendered by the Third Cavalry.
Its full and complete history would occupy a volume larger than that which
contains this brief and imperfect sketch. Not many of those who marched, fought
and suffered in its
ranks remain upon earth , but to those who may live to peruse what is here
written will come the assurance that the State, which sent them forth in the
strength of their young manhood, to fight the battles of their country, has made
such provision as was possible to perpetuate the memory of each brave and
faithful soldier of the old regiment. These men of the Third Iowa Cavalry have
left the
impress of their lives upon the history of their State and Nation, not only as
brave soldiers in time of war but as good citizens in every honorable avocation
of life. Some of their number have been highly honored since the close of the
war, and have achieved fame and distinction in the high places to which they
have been assigned, but, to each one who faithfully served his country in her
hour of greatest need, posterity owes a debt of gratitude which can never be
fully repaid.
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