John G. Foote to Richard Yates

Burlington Iowa

Augt 26th 1864

Hon Richard Yates

Springfield Ills

Dr sir

Your favor of the 22d is at hand, accepting our invitation to deliver an opening address at the Southern Iowa Soldiers Fair. Please accept the thanks of the Board of Managers

Yours Respectfully

John G. Foote

SOUTHERN IOWA SOLDIERS' FAIR

AT

Burlington, September 26th to October 1st, 1864.

MILITARY MONUMENT.

Burlington, Iowa, June 25th, 1864.

To the President of the Ladies' Soldiers Aid Society, City of Burlington, Iowa.

RESPECTED MADAM:-We hand you herewith, a design for a Military Monument, which we propose to present, through your Society, to the Township in Iowa, exclusive of the Township of Burlington, which shall, in proportion to the number of inhabitants, (taking the census of 1860 as standard,) contribute the most in cash, or in goods, wares, merchandise or produce, at a cash valuation, to the Southern Iowa Soldiers' Fair, to be held in this city, on the last week of next September.

The Monument will be twelve feet above the level of the ground, and will be made of the best American Marble, and executed in good style. On the face of the spire, will be carved the shield of the United States, with the motto, "E Pluribus Unum," and resting upon it is a musket and sword, united by the laurel wreath of victory: and floating over its staff, the triumphant guidon, inscribed "Union and Liberty."

The Monument will be worth Five Hundred Dollars in cash, and will be to the successful competing Township, a fitting and worthy memorial to their honored dead, who have given their lives a willing sacrifice for the perpetuity of the glorious American Union.

Yours Respectfully,

DONAHUE & McCOSH,

MARBLE DEALERS.

It affords the Executive Committee great pleasure to send forth the design of the beautiful Monument to be contested for at the approaching Fair. The Monument of itself, will be a magnificent prize.

The cause which it seeks to promote, is of the highest importance to every true Patriot. The motives which awaken the Spirit of emulation for such a treasure are of the purest character. To cherish the memory of the departed is ever praiseworthy. But the fallen heroes of our Nation should be enshrined in every loyal heart, and their names written in unperishable letters upon tablets of gold.

What County or Township is there in our patriotic State that would not desire to have this silent orator standing in some selected place in their midst, to speak the praise of the honored dead who cannot now speak for themselves. The departed have nobly and bravely acted for us, and let us now put forth a be-fitting act for them.

They have given their precious lives for the perpetuity of our inheritance, and shall we not of our abundance contribute freely and liberally to the comfort and consolation of their living and dying comrades in arms.

Many of the graves of our fallen defenders can never be visited by their friends, but here, the bereaved can look on the names of their loved ones, and feel that they have not been forgotten.

Let each County or Township in our State contend for this prize, and thereby evidence their love for their noble dead. Donations received previous to the Fair will be appraised and credited to the Township from which they are received.

DELEGATES. - Each County contributing to the Fair as a County shall be entitled to two delegates; and each Township or Society contributing as such shall be entitled to one delegate; and said delegates shall be entertained free of charge during the Fair.

It is desired that Counties, Townships and Societies intending to send delegates, notify the Secretary of their intention at their earliest convenience.

MRS. H. B. RANSOM, Cor. Sec'y.

Burlington Ia. Aug. 26/64

John. G. Foote,

of So. Iowa Soldiers' Fair.

Returns thanks of Board of Managers for Govr's acceptation of invitation to make opening address.