Pella in the Civil War

When the dark and sinister clouds of internecine strife hovered over our
country, the citizens of Pella and Lake Prairie township, native
Americans and those who but a few years before had landed on our shores
from the Netherlands, responded to the call for defenders of the
integrity of the Union, with a spirit of loyalty and devotion that
constitutes one of the proudest chapters in our history.

From the first call for volunteers on the 12th day of April, 1861, to
the close of the war in 1865, Marion county and the colony of Pella and
vicinity furnished its full quota of troops. In fact, when the draft
came Lake Prairie township was not included because enough men had
volunteered to fill the full quota.

It is impossible in the restricted scope of this history to give
anything like a full account of the part taken by our people in the
great struggle to preserve the Union. The records of the time show that
our citizens had learned to love the country of their adoption and that
they were ready to defend it with their lives. Not only was this true of
the men, but the following article taken from the Pella's Weekblad of
December 12, 1861, shows that the women were no less devoted:

"PELLA'S PATRIOTISM APPRECIATED.--The letter given below was received by
Dr. B. F. Keables. It shows that the war work of our loyal women is
highly appreciated, and that Pella is not the least in the cities of
Iowa in the way citizens are responding to the needs of our country"

"'Dear Sir"

"'Your letters of November 12th were referred to me. It affords me
sincere pleasure to inform you of the safe arrival of the box of
hospital supplies sent by W. Olney. It is now in the hands of the mother
of the hospital, as a gift from the loyal citizens of your town. We
assure you that the contents will be used for the purpose of alleviating
the suffering of our sick boys.

"'Those in the administration of affairs are doing everything possible
for the army; nevertheless, much remains undone. But thanks be to God,
our needs are being supplied from many sources; and from none with more
liberal hand than from the state of Iowa, and with greater generosity
than from the beautiful little city of Pella.

"'You ask for a list of the things we are most in need of, and promise
to send canned fruits, etc. There is nothing you could send that would
be more welcome or that is more needed by our sick ones, and the only
source of supply is such free will offerings as you are sending. Many
grateful and suffering hearts here are filled with gratitude to your
loyal women and hope that God will reward them for taking the place of
the mothers and sisters from whom they are separated. We will ever
remember with gratitude your generous efforts to help us and also the
spirit manifested in your letter. We can only say from a full heart" God
bless you and yours. May Heaven pour out on you all, her richest
blessings, and may you all enjoy a happy and blessed Christmas time.

"'T. O. Edwards, Surgeon-in-Chief.' "