which confronted the State and Nation with dignity, with wisdom and statesmanlike action. Every important measure recommended by the Governor was carefully considered and provided for. Partisan considerations were largely put aside and all of the principle war measures were considered upon their merits, and enacted into law, receiving the support of a majority of the Democratic members. There was honest difference of opinion often as to details but no factious opposition to important war measures. The patriotic sentiment of the people was well represented by this war session of the Legislature. Many of its members of both political parties entered the military service and attained high rank during the progress of the war. Under the wise legislation of this short session our State was enabled to promptly respond to all calls of the General Government and place at its disposal a class of volunteer soldiers that has never been excelled by any country in any war.
Soon after the beginning of the war, our State was threatened with invasion by Missouri Rebels on the south and by Sioux Indians on the west and north. It was found much easier to find men to protect the frontier than to secure arms for their use. The calls upon the General Government for arms from every section of the loyal States for the troops being mustered into the service, could not be at once supplied. Many regiments were in camp a long time before they could be armed. Colonel Cyrus Bussey, one of the Governor’s aides at Keokuk, was intrusted with the distribution of arms for the protection of the southern border. A regiment of State militia, numbering nine hundred and thirty-three men, was organized in the south-western part of the State under command of Colonel John R. Morledge, of Page County. Hon. Caleb Baldwin, of Council Bluffs, was given full authority by the Governor to organize military companies in that part of the State and call them into the service when needed for protection of that frontier. He issued a call to the citizens of western
