- Joined
- Jul 23, 2017
- Location
- Southwest Missouri
On July 17, Confederate leaders replaced Johnston with John Bell Hood. The aggressive Hood attacked the Federal troops as they closed in on Atlanta, and the First and Fifteenth Arkansas won laurels on July 22 for capturing the entire Sixteenth Iowa Infantry Regiment and eight artillery pieces.
19 years later, in 1883, survivors of the 16th Iowa met in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
From "Proceedings of Crocker's Iowa Brigade ....Biennial Reunion .... Volume 7-8"
General William Belknap - 15th Iowa
General Daniel Govan - Arkansas brigade commander
General Addison Sanders - 16th Iowa
"The second reunion occurred at Cedar Rapids, and it was here that one of the most graphic incidents ever happened since the war. General D. C. Govan of Marianna, Arkansas, and General Belknap had been carrying on a correspondence of which it was the culmination. General Govan had become possessor of the regimental flag of the 16th Iowa, which the 15th Arkansas regiment C. S. A. had captured in the battle of Atlanta. No member of the 16th Iowa had seen the flag since that time and no one but Gen. Belknap and Gen. Govan knew of what was to be enacted.
After the oration of the evening by ex-Gov. Buren R. Sherman, Gen. Belknap introduced Gen. Govan, who formally presented the flag to General Sanders. At the sight of the flag the 16th burst into cheers and then into tears. The contagion spread like wild-fire. The 11th, 13th and 15th could not restrain their feelings. The great opera house was crowded to its utmost capacity and nearly every one was caught in the mighty wave of excitement which swept over the great assembly.
Gen. Govan tried to speak but broke down, and this was a signal for a second demonstration. Handkerchiefs which waved their plaudits a few moments before now industriously covered the eyes of both the brave and the fair in the galleries. Strong men cried like babes and the tears rolled down the president's cheeks, while the ex-confederate trembled like a leaf. The hums of a few moments before were changed into sobs. It was a most remarkable scene, the like of which will never be duplicated in the history of the brigade.
After some moments General Govan regained his composure and in a speech of patriotic sentiment presented the flag to Gen. Sanders, who, through his tears, accepted it, saying in broken tones:
"The old flag! Lost—captured—but never disgraced!"