Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 2.djvu/88

 War that Iowa would be called upon for more soldiers than Washington had under his command in the War of the Revolution; for four times as many as General Scott led in the War with Mexico, our people would have been paralyzed with horror. But as the war progressed with varying fortune through the long months and years, our people learned to endure its sacrifices, and like soldiers in battle, nerve themselves to do their duty at any cost.

The difficulties encountered by Governor Kirkwood and his staff in creating an army out of all classes of civilians, without adequate laws, funds or military experience during the first months of the war, were almost insurmountable. But untiring efforts gradually brought system into the new work so suddenly thrust upon them and their fidelity, patient industry and rare ability in that trying time have been universally recognized.

Before funds could be provided by law, the Governor found it necessary to use a large amount of money to meet the expenses of raising and equipping of the First and Second Regiments. In this emergency Hiram Price, Ezekiel Clark, J. K. Graves and W. T. Smith, officers of the branches of the State Bank, came promptly forward and furnished the money required. The amounts paid by the State for raising and equipping the First and Second Regiments, including one month’s pay, but not arms, were $93,722. Every effort possible was made by the Governor to procure arms for the First Regiment, but so great was the demand upon the War Department that a long time passed before suitable weapons could be furnished. The same difficulty was experienced in the effort to supply the First Regiment with suitable uniforms and it was sent into the field with a poor quality of gray clothing most of which was soon in rags.

The Governor found it necessary to call an extra session of the General Assembly to provide funds and enact laws for military organization required by the emergency. The Legislature met in extra session on the 15th of May, 1861,