USA > Georgia > The army reunion : with reports of the meetings of the societies of the Army of the Cumberland; the Army of the Tennessee; the Army of the Ohio: and the Army of Georgia > Part 14
USA > Ohio > The army reunion : with reports of the meetings of the societies of the Army of the Cumberland; the Army of the Tennessee; the Army of the Ohio: and the Army of Georgia > Part 14
USA > Tennessee > The army reunion : with reports of the meetings of the societies of the Army of the Cumberland; the Army of the Tennessee; the Army of the Ohio: and the Army of Georgia > Part 14
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I had the honor, in some of their darkest and also some of their most glorious hours, of doing what I could as a member of the general staff of the armies of the United States, to alleviate their sufferings, repair their losses, and secure their triumphs.
These are among the most agreeable recollections of a long military service. I regret that I am unable to visit Chicago on the 15th and 16th inst.
I beg of you, whom I well remember at Chattanooga, where we counseled together upon the situation, and the measures necessary for success, to give my most cordial greetings to our
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brother officers, and to assure them of my pride and pleasure in having been with them.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. C. MEIGS,
2. M. General. Brevet Major-General U. S. Army.
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WASHINGTON, D. C., December 11, IS68.
GENERAL A. C. DUCAT,
Chicago, Ill.
SIR ;- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of an invitation to attend the reunion of the Western armies at Chicago on the 15th and 16th of the present month.
I regret very much that my engagements forbid my being present on this interesting occasion, especially as it would afford me the pleasure of meeting the honored members of your societies, many of whom I am proud to remember among my early and most valued friends.
The object of your reunion can not be too highly appreciated, and it should commend itself to all of our citizens, who should be proud of the deeds of those armies which contributed so largely to the preservation of our Government.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. B. DYER,
Brevet Major-General, Chief of Ordance.
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WASHINGTON, December 11, 1868.
GENERAL A. C. DUCAT :
DEAR SIR ;- I am just favored with the receipt of your Com- mittee's invitation to the great military reunion at Chicago, the 15th inst. I desire to tender my acknowledgements for the honor
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Letters.
of the invitation, whilst I must beg of you to accept the expres- sion of my sincerest regrets that official engagements, just now pressing upon me, will not permit my acceptance. Be assured I am with you, in spirit, most cordially, though it was not my good fortune to be permitted to participate with you in the perils and glories of the active field.
I am, with much regard, Your obedient servant, B. W. BRISE, Paymaster-General U. S. Army.
WASHINGTON, December 11, IS6S.
GENERAL A. C. DUCAT,
And Gentlemen of the Committee :
GENTLEMEN ;- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your invitation to attend a meeting of the soldiers of the West- ern Armies, at Chicago, on the 15th and 16th of this month, and regret that I shall not be able to be with you. It was not my fortune, during the war for the suppression of the Rebellion, to serve in either of the distinguished armies you represent. Yet I watched with deep interest your splendid feats of arms, and felt a soldier's pride in every victory which crowned the heroic efforts of that portion of the Grand Army of the Republic. Having three, times crossed the continent with Western troops, and tasted with them the luxury of mule and buffalo bull meat, I never had a doubt but that your armies would overcome all obsta- cles and force which might oppose them; and when you cut loose from your base and swung out from Atlanta, when the whole country was anxious, watching the pillar of cloud by day, and fire by night, that marked your course, I never for a moment doubted that you would arrive safely at the sea.
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Army Reunion.
I will not occupy your time by making any thing like a detailed reference to the achievements of your armies, but I must say that your organization seeks the accomplishment of an object worthy of the brave men of which those armies were composed, and that it has my entire sympathy and hearty wishes for its success and perpetuity.
I have the honor to be, gentlemen, with high regard,
Your obedient servant,
W. H. EMORY,
U. S. Army, Late Major-General of Volunteers, Commanding 19th Army Corps.
BRISTOL, ILLINOIS, December 13, 1868.
GENERAL A. C. DUCAT :
DEAR SIR ; - It has been a most earnest desire on my part to be present in Chicago at the time of the gathering of the armies, but a sickness that has now laid me aside for two weeks, forbids it. I am suffering from an attack of acute bronchitis, and have not left my quarters for a fortnight.
Please express to any of our old comrades my regret at not being permitted to meet them, and assure them of my continued interest in their welfare.
Yours, most truly, JOEL GRANT.
NEW YORK, December 14, 1868.
GENERAL ;- I very much regret that the invitation to be pres- ent at the Army Reunion at Chicago reached me so late that I was unable to alter engagements made for this week. It would have given me much pleasure to be present. I should have been glad to meet again the friends with whom I had been associated
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during the war, and to have made the acquaintance of others so well known to us all, but whom I have not had the pleasure to know personally.
Yours truly, J. C. FREMONT.
GENERAL A. C. DUCAT,
Chicago.
WASHINGTON, December 13, IS68.
DEAR GENERAL ;- I am in grief that I am compelled at this last moment to give up going to Chicago. Tell all our Cumber- land boys that I regret more than I can tell. But our work here has accumulated so that I can not get away. Write me, and let me know what kind of a time you had.
Ever yours, J. GARFIELD.
WASHINGTON, December 12, 186S.
GENERAL A. C. DUCAT ; - Your kind invitation to attend the reunion of the Western Armies, was received some days since, and I have delayed to reply until the last moment, hoping to find a way to accept the same. I deeply regret that I am compelled to decline.
To meet with the noble assemblage of men who will doubtless be with you on this great occasion, I should heartily enjoy. To hear them recount anew their experiences and triumphs for liberty's sake, would add new force to the admiration which I, in common with all their grateful countrymen, cherish toward them. To recall the glorious deeds of our sainted dead, whose self-sac- rificing patriotism is the marvel of the whole civilized world, would yet more exalt and hallow their sacred memory. To
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assist in the expression of our common pride in the glory of our national arms, would be with me a labor of love.
It is the proudest memory of my life that I was permitted to be a part of the mighty past, and that my tongue and hand were the instruments to call into action many of the immortal heroes whose names were not born to die ; and especially do I feel inter- ested in this reunion, for it is in very deed the marshaling anew of the genius and prowess which first lifted the clouds of adverse fortune from the nation's horizon, and revealed the nation's redemption. One name we may mention without danger of being considered invidious, for his glory is ours. He moved into the mighty arena, and order sprang from chaos. He spoke victory into being. Lately, with the foresight of a prophet, and the authority of a predestined ruler, looking upon the new gath- ering of discordant and stormy elements, he said, "Let us have peace," and the storm recognized its master and straightway accepted the situation.
In closing, I can only renew my thanks for the invitation tend- ered, and my regrets that I can not be with you. Congratulating you upon the happy prospects for our beloved country, so near at hand, and wishing you entire success in the objects for which you meet,
I am, General, with profound regard, Your friend,
RICHARD YATES.
TO GENERAL DUCAT,
And the Committee.
ALBANY, December 7, 1868.
DEAR SIR ; - It would afford me great pleasure to participate in the festivities of the reunion, at Chicago, of the soldiers of the armies of the West; a pleasure which would be enhanced by
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the privilege of seeing so many whose names are honorably identified with the defence of the country. Official duties inci- dent to the close of my term of office are so pressing as to prevent me, greatly to my regret, from being with you.
Very respectfully,
R. E. FENTON.
GENERAL A. C. DUCAT, Secretary Committee Invitation, Chicago, Ill.
NORWICH, CONN., December 12, 1868.
GENERAL A. C. DUCAT,
Corresponding Secretary :
DEAR SIR ;- I thank you for your invitation for the 15th and 16th inst., and regret that I can not join in your congratulations on that interesting occasion.
Permit me, however, to claim the privilege of being closely allied and deeply interested in the soldiers who composed the Army of the Union, and to say that no language that I can use . can express my appreciation of their services.
I am, with great respect,
Your obedient servant,
WM. A. BUCKINGHAM.
WASHINGTON, December 11, 1868.
GENERAL ; - I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of an invitation to be present at the reunion of the Western armies which will assemble at Chicago on the 15th and 16th of this month.
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Having had the good fortune, as Governor of Minnesota, to aid in sending .into the field many noble regiments which shared in the dangers and glories of the armies of the West, it would afford me sincere pleasure to participate in the observances of this very interesting occasion. But I regret that the require- ments of public business will probably prevent my attendance.
Yours, very truly,
ALEXANDER RAMSEY.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, INDIANA, December 18, 186S.
GENERAL A. C. DUCAT,
Secretary Committee Invitation, Chicago, Ill.
DEAR SIR; - I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the communication of your Committee of the 30th ultimo, inviting me to be present and participate in the Army Reunion to be held at Chicago on the 15th and 16th days of the present month.
Allow me to assure you that I deeply regret that official engagements will prevent me from enjoying the pleasure and honor of participating in the observances of the occasion.
Trusting that the reunion may more than realize the expecta- tions of the gallant and patriotic soldiers who may participate therein, and to whom the Republic owes so much, and with many thanks to the Committee for the kind invitation,
I have the honor, General, to be,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CONRAD BAKER.
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Letters.
LINCOLN, December 15, 1868.
SIR; - Your favor of the 30th, containing the invitation to attend the reunion of the armies of the West, was this day received. The delay results from the fact that the capitol of the state has been recently removed from Omaha to this place, and, probably, from a temporary stoppage of the mails from the recent storm.
Nothing would have afforded me greater pleasure than to have been present at your reunion to-day; to meet the heroes of the battles of the Mississippi Valley, and of Sherman's march to the sea.
May this reunion cement more firmly the bonds of fellowship between the glorious men of the armies of the West, and cause the fires of patriotism to glow with renewed ardor over the entire length and breadth of the Union restored by their valor.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully yours,
DAVID BUTLER, Governor of Nebraska.
GENERAL A. C. DUCAT, Secretary Committee.
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NASHVILLE, TENN., December 10, 186S.
MY DEAR GENERAL ; - I am compelled, by imperative profes- sional engagements, to deny myself the pleasure of attending the reunion of the Western Armies this year. Present my best wishes and n.ost cordial greetings to our old comrades.
With regrets and regards, Very truly yours, G. P. THIRUSTON, Late Brevet Brigadier-General U. S. Army.
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ALBANY, December 7, 186S.
GENERAL A. C. DUCAT,
Chicago, Illinois :
I regret that a pressure of official engagements will not admit of my acceptance of your invitation to be present at the reunion of the grand old Armies of the West, on the 15th and 16th of the present month.
Wishing you, in every respect, a joyous and happy meeting,
I am, respectfully yours, S. E. MARVIN, Adjutant-General State New York.
TRENTON, N. J., December 11, 1868.
GENERAL A. C. DUCAT, .
Chicago, Illinois :
GENERAL ; - I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of an invitation from your Committee to be present and participate in the Army Reunion, at Chicago, on the 15th of this month. I have delayed reply, hoping it might be possible for me to be with you, to meet many of my personal friends and old comrades. I find, however, that my official duties just at this season will deprive me of the pleasure. While I regret my own inability to be present, I add my most earnest wish that your gathering may be successful in cementing a union of men of tried loyalty, and at the same time an honor to yourselves, a glory to your country, and a sure preventive to treason in future.
WILLIAM S. STRYKER, Adjutant-General New York.
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DESMOINES, December 12, IS6S.
GENERAL ARTHUR C. DUCAT,
Secretary Committee, Chicago, Illinois :
SIR ; - I have delayed my answer to your invitation to be pres- ent at the " Reunion" of the Armies of the Tennessee, Cumber- land, Georgia and Ohio, at Chicago, on the 15th and 16th instant, hoping that I should not be compelled to decline it; but duties here will deprive me of the honor and pleasure of the occasion.
Iowa has her pride in her share in those armies and their exploits. Their history is a part of our State's history. Many an Iowan will boast of his share in their victories, and his children and grand-children will remember and repeat the proud boast of the gallant soldier.
May all of you survive for many more happy reunions ! Long may you live in the memories of a grateful people ! And may your example, your patient endurance on the march and amid other sufferings, your gallant bearing and bravery on the battle- field, and your patriotic devotion at all times and on all occasions, be so impressed upon the hearts and very fibres of all coming men, that if emergencies ever shall arise, they will be worthy imitators of your deeds.
With great respect, very truly yours,
N. B. BAKER.
NOTE.
THE following is a complete list of the sub-committees under whose special charge the various features of the Reunion were prepared :
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Colonel JOHN MASON LOOMIS, Chairman.
General John M. Corse; General Theodore F. Brown; General M. R. M. Wallace; Major G. S. Hubbard, Jr .; Colonel L. H. Whittlesey; Colonel C. W. Davis; General James R. Hugunin; Major George Mason; General W. Scott Stewart; Colonel Samuel B. Raymond; Cap- tain D. C. Bradley; Colonel Lyman Bridges; Captain R. P. Derrickson ; Colonel J. B. Sweet; Major J. G. McWilliams; Captain Lyman A. White; Captain E. V. C. Klokke; Colonel C. Fitz Simmons; Colonel J. M. Woodworth, M.D.
COMMITTEE ON BANQUET.
General WILLIAM E. STRONG, Chairman.
General John McArthur; Colonel W. W. Wheeler; Colonel Hunting- ton Jackson; Major S. B. Eaton; General C. T. Hotchkiss; General J. HI. Ledlie ; Colonel R. A. McFeeley ; Colonel Henry Howland; Major A. HI. Boyden; Captain J. P. Rumsey ; General R. W. Smith; Colonel C. H. Dyer; General 1I. N. Eldridge; Captain W. II. Gale; Captain John . W. Gregg; General John B. Turchin.
COMMITTEE ON RAILROADS AND TRANSPORTATION.
General I. N. STILES, Chairman.
General Joseph Stockton ; Major O. A. Schultz; General J. R. Hugu- nin ; Colonel Levi P. Wright; Colonel W. Stubbs; Captain Harry Pease ; Captain A. C. McMurtry; Captain Chris. Miller; Captain O. II. Mor- gan; Lieutenant Fred. Fake; Lieutenant C. F. Schuman; Lieutenant John W. Rumsey.
COMMITTEE ON INVITATIONS.
General JOHN MCARTHUR, Chairman.
General F. T. Sherman; General A. C. Ducat; General John M. Corse; General Walter B. Scates; General Julius White; General A. C. McClurg; General William E. Strong.
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Note.
COMMITTEE ON RECEPTION.
General J. D. WEBSTER, Chairman.
General John McArthur; Major E. Powell, M.D .; General George W. Smith; General C. T. Hotchkiss; Major Lu. II. Drury; General R. W. Smith; Colonel W. W. Wheeler; General W. Scott Stewart; General A. C. McClurg; Lieutenant Caleb Blood; Colonel John Mason Loomis.
COMMITTEE ON HALLS.
General A. C. MCCLURG, Chairman.
General Joseph Stockton; General William E. Strong; General W. Scott Stewart; Colonel W. W. Wheeler; Major A. H. Boyden.
COMMITTEE ON DECORATIONS.
Major W. L. B. JENNEY, Chairman.
Colonel Lyman Bridges ; General Ezra Taylor; General A. C. Ducat; Colonel G. I. Waterman; Colonel Nelson K. Towner; General A. E. Erskine; General Theodore F. Brown; Colonel A. Silversparre; Major J. A. Fitch : Colonel John M. Woodworth, M.D .; Captain George F. Robinson ; Major E. V. C. Klokke; Lieutenant George H. Heafford.
COMMITTEE ON PRINTING AND BADGES .*
Major S. S. HART, Chairman. .
Major S. B. Eaton; Colonel H. S. Brown; Major J. J. Spaulding; Major Samuel E. Barrett; Colonel Oliver Stewart; Major W. L. B. Jenney ; Colonel L. H. Whittlesey.
COMMITTEE ON MUSIC.
Captain L. B. CHURCHI, Chairman.
Major A. H. Boyden; Captain Henry Bennett; Major C. S. Moore; Major E. O. F. Roeller, M.D.
* It would be pleasant, if it were practicable, to mention particular names in connection with the labors of each of the sub-committees, and to give special credit to individuals whose energy and judgment largely helped to make the Reunion a grand success. We have not done this, as a rule, but we make an exception in the case of this committee, to say that the very tasteful and pleasing results of its efforts were especially due to the cffi- ciency and good taste of Major S. B. Eaton and Col. II. S. Brown.
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Geok. Thomas
PRESIDENT, SOCIETY ARMY OF CUMBERLAND
REPORT
[ Furnished by the Recording Secretary]
OF THE
ROCEEDINGS OF THE A NNUAL M EETING
OF THE
SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND,
HELD AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,
DECEMBER 15TH, IS6S.
q
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.
President : Major-General GEORGE H. THOMAS, U. S. A.
Vice-Presidents.
Major-General P. H. SHERIDAN, U. S. A.
Brevet Colonel WILLIAM McMICHAEL, Pennsylvania.
Brigadier-General W. J. SMITH, Tennessee. Brevet Major-General J. T. CROXTON, Kentucky. Brevet Major-General J. M. BRANNAN, District of Columbia.
Brevet Brigadier-General W. J. PALMER, Missouri. Brevet Brigadier-General WM. COGSWELL, Massachusetts.
Colonel GEORGE B. BINGHAM, Wisconsin. Brevet Brigadier-General J. W. BISHOP, Minnesota.
Brevet Brigadier-General B. F. SCRIBNER, Indiana.
Brevet Brigadier-General W. L. STOUGHTON, Michigan. Brevet Major-General H. A. BARNUM, New York. Brevet Major-General W. W. LOWE, Iowa. Brevet Major-General AUGUST WILLICH, Ohio.
Major-General JOHN M. PALMER, Illinois.
Brevet Brigadier-General J. W. BURKE, Alabama.
Brevet Major-General G. W. MINDEL, New Jersey. Major S. L. COULTER, Kansas.
Corresponding Secretary : Brevet Major-General W. D. WHIPPLE, U. S. A.
Recording Secretary :
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel GEORGE I. WATERMAN.
Treasurer : * Brevet Brigadier-General J. S. FULLERTON.
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE I.
The name and title of this Association shall be the " SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND," and said Society shall include every officer and soldier who has at any time served with honor in that army.
Honorary members may be elected from those officers who may have become distinguished in any of the armies of the United States.
ARTICLE II.
The object of the Society shall be to perpetuate the memory of the fortunes and achievements of the Army of the Cumberland : to preserve that unanimity of loyal sentiment, and that kind and cordial feeling which has been an eminent characteristic of this army, and the main element of the power and success of its efforts in behalf of the cause of the Union. The history and glory of the officers and soldiers belong- ing to this army, who have fallen either on the field of battle, or otherwise in the line of their duty, shall be a permanent and sacred trust to this society, and every effort shall be made to collect and preserve the proper memorials of their services, to inscribe their names upon the roll of honor, and transmit their fame to posterity. It shall also be the object and bounden duty of this Society to relieve, as far as possible, the families of such deceased officers and soldiers when in indigent circumstances, either by the voluntary contributions of the members, or in such other manner as they may determine when the cases are brought to their attention. This provision shall also hereafter apply to the suffering families of those members of the Society who may, in the future, be called hence, and the welfare of the soldier's widow and orphan shall forever be a holy trust in the hands of his surviving com- rades.
ARTICLE III.
For the purpose of effecting these objects, the Society shall be organ- ized by the annual clection of a President, and a Vice-President from each state having soldiers in the Army of the Cumberland, to be nominated by members from the several states, a Corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer.
The Society shall meet once in every year; the time and place of the next meeting to be selected by ballot at each meeting. All members of the Society who are prevented by any cause from personally attending are expected to notify the Corresponding Secretary, and to impart such
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By-Laws.
information in regard to themselves as they may think proper, and as may be of interest to their brethren of the Society.
Having a fraternal feeling for, and honoring the glorious efforts of, our brothers in arms belonging to other armies who have shared with us the service of saving our Government, the President, and either of the Vice-Presidents shall be authorized to invite the attendance of any officer of the United States armies at any of our annual meetings.
BY-LAWS.
I. All meetings of this Society shall be opened by prayer to Almighty God by a former chaplain of the army, or by a minister of the gospel, to be selected for the occasion by the President of the Society.
II. Every officer and soldier desiring to become a member of this Society shall, upon signing the Constitution, pay to the Treasurer the sum of five dollars as an initiation fee, and thereafter the like sum of five dollars per annum as yearly dues; and shall thereupon be entitled to a copy of the proceedings of the Society, when published, free of charge.
III. Any member who shall be in arrears for dues for a period of two years, shall have his name dropped from the rolls.
IV. All moneys paid out by the Treasurer shall be upon the written order of the Recording Secretary, approved by the written consent of the President; and at each annual meeting of the Society, the Treasurer shall make a full report of his receipts and disbursements.
V. When the place of the next annual meeting of the Society shall be decided upon, the President shall appoint an Executive Committee of three (3) members, resident at such place, or contiguous thereto, whose duty it shall be to make all needful preparations and arrange- ·
ments for such meeting.
VI. That prior to the final adjournment of the Society, at such annual meeting thereof, the President shall appoint a committee of three members, resident in the city in which such meeting shall be, and not officers of the Society, as a committee on bills and claims, and to such committee all claims against the Society of whatsoever character, should be referred for investigation and allowance before being paid.
VII. No member of the Society shall speak more than once on any question of business, and no longer than five minutes, without the consent of the Society first obtained.
VIII. At each annual meeting there shall be selected, in such manner as the Society shall determine, from the members of the Society, a person to deliver an address upon the history of the Army of the Cumberland, and the objects of the Society at the next annual meeting.
IX. Cushing's Manual of Parliamentary Law shall be authority for the government and regulation of all meetings of this Society.
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ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.
THE Society of the Army of the Cumberland met at their headquarters, in the Sherman House, on Tuesday, December 15, IS68, and, at two o'clock P.M., mustering about six hundred members, formed in procession and marched to McVicker's Theatre, which had been kindly and freely offered for the busi- ness meetings of the Society. The President, Vice-Presidents, and other officers of the Society, occupied the stage, at the back of which was suspended a life-size portrait of General Rosecrans, painted for, and presented to, the Society by the artist Brevet Brigadier-General S. W. Price. The members of the Society comfortably filled the lower part of the audience room, and many visitors the upper part.
McVICKER'S THEATRE, CITY OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, December 15, 1868.
Pursuant to its adjournment at the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 7th day of January, 1868, the Society of the Army of the Cumberland met at two o'clock P.M., at Mc Vicker's Theatre, in the city of Chicago, Illinois.
The Society was called to order by Major-General George H. Thomas, President, and Chaplain Thomas B. VanHorn invoked the blessing of Almighty God.
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