Senator Cyrus Bussey View All Years

MR. PRESIDENT—Your committee appointed to draft resolutions commemorative of the life, character and services of Gen. Cyrus Bussey beg to submit the following report:

GEN. CYRUS BUSSEY.

WHEREAS, on the 2d day of March, 1915, Cyrus Bussey, a former member of the State Senate of Iowa, departed this life at the city of Washington, D. C., his home in later years; and

WHEREAS, his record as a man, a legislator, a soldier and a citizen has been of the highest character; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that we should recognize in some fitting manner the passing of this distinguished citizen; therefore be it

Resolved, By the Senate of the State of Iowa, that in the death of Gen. Cyrus Bussey, the state and nation have suffered a distinct loss.

Cyrus Bussey was born in the state of Ohio on October 5, 1833. His father was a clergyman and in the early years of General Bussey’s life, took the family to northern Indiana. There the boy received the usual rural schooling, his first employment being as a clerk in the dry goods store. Soon afterwards, he studied medicine and for a few years practiced the profession of a physician. In 1855 he moved to Iowa, settling at Bloomfield. In 1859 he was chosen a member of the Senate from the Third Senatorial District, at that time composed of Davis county alone.

In 1861 at the beginning of the war, he resigned his position in the state senate of Iowa, and entered the service of his country. Along the southern border of the state at the outset of the Civil War, he conducted a vigorous campaign against a force that was threatening the towns on the border of the state. This activity led to the organization of the 3d Iowa Cavalry, of which organization he was made colonel.

In February, 1862, his regiment was ordered to Springfield, Mo., to join General Curtis. The 3d Iowa Cavalry under the command of Colonel Bussey conducted an active campaign and participated in various battles in that locality. Colonel Bussey was placed in command of a brigade and was next made commander of the Second Cavalry Division of the Army of the Tennessee. Soon after he was placed at the head of all the cavalry in the rear of Vicksburg, where he rendered important service.

Afterwards he led the advance of Sherman’s army at Jackson after the fall of Vicksburg. Soon afterwards, commanding an expedition he further entered into Mississippi and encountered the Commander Jackson, whom he had met at the town of Jackson just before. A fierce battle followed, lasting for nine hours, the enemy being driven across Pearl River.

January 5, 1864, Colonel Bussey was made Brigadier General, his superior officers recommending him for “special gallantry.” Towards the close of the war he acted as Commander in the administration of affairs in Arkansas, and his administration was highly spoken of as contributing greatly to restoring confidence among the loyal people, and infusing new hope for a bright future among them. He left the army with the rank of Brevet Major General. He retired from the service in September, 1865.

For several years General Bussey made his home at New Orleans, where he was at one time at the head of the Chamber of Commerce.

In the administration of President Harrison, he was Assistant Secretary of the Interior, serving there under General Noble, who was an officer under him in the 3d Iowa Cavalry.

It is believed that he was the last survivor when he departed this life, of all who sat in the General Assembly that answered Governor Kirkwood’s call to duty in 1861. His Lieutenant Colonel, who went just before him, was the last to go of all the members of the House of Representatives.

For several years General Bussey and Gen. Grenville M. Dodge have been the only remaining survivors of the original Colonels of Iowa regiments. Be it further

Resolved, That his life as a citizen, as a soldier, as a legislator, and in every other walk of life has been such as to commend his example as an inspiration to coming generations. His unswerving fidelity to duty, the inflexible nature of his character, and his loyalty to duty in every respect, should inspire the rising generation of Americans to follow in the footsteps of that grand army of men of which General Bussey was a distinct type. And be it further

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this Senate, and an engrossed copy thereof be furnished to the family of the deceased.

J. M. WILSON,

J. H. TAYLOR,

F. E. THOMPSON,

Committee.

The resolutions were adopted unanimously by a rising vote.