DUBUQUE RIFLES

DUBUQUE RIFLES. Organized in 1873, the Dubuque Rifles "was composed of young men entirely of the best social and business standing in the community." Drills were held and the unit was involved in local parades. (1) In October, Joseph H. Lenehan, secretary of the corps, received a letter from Adjutant-General Baker that 40 Springfield breech loading rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition would be forwarded for their drills. (2)

It was not, however, a state organization and therefore could not rely on state funding to provide equipment. A large "dramatic production" was planned as a means of raising money. This "was a dramatic success, but a financial failure." (3)

The Dubuque Rifles disbanded in May, 1875.

Efforts to reorganize the company began with a meeting on May 25, 1875. In an election of officers, Daniel J. Duane was chosen captain. Ed. Beckett was elected first 1st lieutenant and Mr. William Rooney was declared 2nd lieutenant. One of the purposes of the next meeting was to sign the constitution and pay the one dollar initiation fee. A communication was read from a similar group in Burlington asking what inducement it could make for Dubuque to enter a competition for a flag during a 4th of July celebration. This had to be rejected because a similar celebration was planned here. (4)

In 1876 under the militia law of Iowa, the Rifles were incorporated as part of the Fourth Regiment of the Iowa National Guard. On October 20, 1878 it was announced that the members would be receiving new uniforms. (5) The group, however, mustered out of the National Guard in early 1879. (6)

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Source:

1. "Disbanding of the Dubuque Rifles," The Daily Herald, May 8, 1876

2. "Dubuque Rifles," Daily Herald, October 1, 1873, p. 4

3. "Disbanding..."

4. "Dubuque Rifles," The Daily Herald, May 26, 1875, p. 4

5. "Caught on the Fly," The Daily Herald, October 20, 1878, p. 4

6. "Dubuque County Before 1880," The Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, December 1, 1933, p. 21