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 19
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 19
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 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
-
264
Army Reunion.
The presiding officer, General Smith, asked leave to vacate the chair, in the absence of the President elect, in favor of the First Vice-President elect, General Logan, wlio assumed the chair as presiding officer, amidst applause, and addressed the Society in these words :
"FELLOW-COMRADES OF THE ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE : I presume that not one of the men whose names are regis- stered as your officials for the year, in the report just read, but feels a just pride in your selection, and toward you grateful for the compliment bestowed. Upon assuming the responsibility of your presiding officer, it may be proper for me to say something in regard to those officers of the army who are not present with us here to-day. In selecting General John A. Rawlins as your President, you have made a noble choice. He is a man of intellect and courage-one whose nobility is unquestioned, and whose generosity is as boundless, in expanse, as the ocean.
" Alas ! there are others absent from our midst with whom we have fought side by side upon many a bloody field - McPherson, than whom the war produced no greater commander save one, our President elect. There are many others whom I think of now. They died that we might live. Then let us so live that we may emulate them in a noble death. I hope that while presiding I shall secure all due aid and assistance in the performance of my duties from the Army of the Tennessee."
The committee appointed to draft resolutions commemorative of General Mathies, asked leave and presented, as their report, resolutions as follows :
Resolved, That the Society of the Army of the Tennessee learns, with the deepest regret, of the death of the late General Charles S. Mathies, of Iowa, an adopted citizen of the United States, who, in the late war for the Union, first served as captain
265
Army of the Tennessee.
in the distinguished First Iowa Volunteers, then as Lieutenant- Colonel of the Fifth Iowa, then as Colonel of that noted com- mand, from which, for the most intrepid gallantry and efficient conduct at the battle of Iuka, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, in that capacity maintaining the reputation he had justly earned, and greatly adding to it throughout all the campaigns and operations of General Sherman to the victory of Missionary Ridge, where he was severely wounded.
Resolved, That the pure personal character, strict individual and political integrity, valor, and military services of General Mathies, most justly won for him general respect while he was living, and entitle his memory to be cherished in the hearts of all good and patriotic citizens, now that he is dead.
[Signed by the Committee ].
On motion of General Dodge,
Resolved, That the report of the committee appointed to draft resolutions of respect to the late General Charles S. Mathies, be adopted.
The committee appointed to report resolutions respecting Colonel John J. Jones, presented the following report :
WHEREAS, It has pleased Him above to take from us our brave and honored comrade, Colonel John J. Jones, late Colonel of the Forty-sixth Illinois, therefore, be it
Resolved, That we revere his memory, and remember with pride his brave and daring deeds at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and other fields throughout the late war.
Resolved, That we tender to his bereaved wife and friends the consolations of this organization.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be furnished to the widow and parents of the deceased.
[Signed by the Committee].
On motion of General Giles A. Smith,
266
Army Reunion.
Resolved, That the report of the committee appointed to draft resolutions of respect to Colonel John J. Jones be adopted.
Colonel Coleman, chairman of the committee appointed at the last annual meeting, to report a design of seal and certificate of membership of the Society, reported that it had been impos- sible to get a meeting or conference of the committee, and that nothing had been done ; and, on his own motion,
Resolved, That the committee appointed to report a design for seal and certificate of membership be discharged.
On motion of General Potts,
Resolved, That Generals Force, Hickenlooper, and Yorke be authorized as a committee to report to the Society a design for seal and certificate of membership.
General Sanborn moved that, before the resolution should be put to vote, it be amended so as to read, " That the committee be authorized to adopt a design for seal and certificate of member- ship for the Society."
General Potts accepted the amendment, and the resolution, so amended, was adopted.
General Grier, chairman of the committee appointed to select the place for the next annual meeting of the Society, reported that the committee had not reached any conclusion, and desired an extension of time for considering the matter, and that the committee might confer with resident officers of different cities in which it would be desirable to hold the meeting.
On motion,
Resolved, That the report of the committee appointed to select the locality for- holding the next annual meeting be accepted, and the committee is granted further time, according to the necessities of the faithful performance of their duties in making such selection ; and, when made, will report the same at once to the President, General John A. Rawlins. .
,
267
Army of the Tennessee.
The committee appointed to report a design for a Society badge was called on for a report.
The chairman of the committee, Colonel Joel, not being present, and not having made any report, Colonel Dayton, next in order of the committee, stated, that so far as he knew, the committee had never been called together for deliberation, and he had been unable to learn that any thing had been done, and presumed there had not ; and, therefore, asked, by reason of there being no probability that the committtee appointed would do any thing, that the committee be discharged.
By resolution of the Society the committee was discharged.
On motion of General Dodge,
Resolved, That Generals Force, Hickenlooper, and Yorke, the committee appointed to select and adopt a device for seal and certificate of membership, shall constitute a committee to adopt and report a device for badge of the Society, and are instructed to incorporate in such device a representation of the corps badge of each corps that served in the Army of the Tennessee.
General Hickenlooper, upon behalf of the McPherson Monu- ment Committee, was granted leave to read and file his report of transactions for the past year, as follows :
CHICAGO, December 15, 1868.
GENERAL JOHN A. RAWLINS,
President Society of the Army of the Tennessee :
SIR; - On behalf of the Committee on McPherson Monument, I have the honor to submit for the information of the Society the following report :
The balance remaining in my hands November 14, 1867, as per report submitted at our last annual meeting $3,121 1I Amount reported to General Leggett, - - 1,934 32
Amount reported by McPherson Monument Association, of Clyde, Ohio, exclusive of $3,000 expended for grounds and improvements, - 2,000 00
$7,055 43 Total reported on hand November 14, 1867, -
268
Army Reunion.
Since that date I have received the following subscriptions :
November 18, 1867, Lieut. Charles E. Griffin, $25 25
November 21, 1867, Dr. S. P. Bonner 5 00
January 6, IS68, Captain J. S. Foster, 5 00
January IS, 1868, Francis Skiddy,
1,000 00
January 20, 1868, Colonel T. Reynolds, 56 00
January 28, 1868, General W. E. Strong, -
300 00
March 9, 1868, Colonel L. M. Dayton, 100 00
June 27, 1868, Colonel James Peckham,
35 00
September 23, 1868, Colonel E. F. Winslow, -
IS 00
December 12, 1868, Captain John Ried, 33 00
Received from Interest account,
276 74-$1,853 99
$8,909 42
There having been no expenditures from this fund during the year, leaves balance in my hand at this time, of - $4,975 10
I have received no information either from General Leg- gett, or the McPherson Monument Association, at Clyde, Ohio, which will enable me to give any definite information in regard to the funds in their hands. Supposing it has increased by accumulating interest only, (six per cent), it will amount to not less than, in the hands of General Leggett, - And in the hands of McPherson Monument Association, of Clyde, Ohio, - - -
2,060 04
2,130 00
Making the aggregate of
- $9,165 14
At our last meeting considerable enthusiasm was manifested by our members upon the subject of raising a sufficient sum to enable the com- mittee to proceed with the erection of the monument. Various sums were pledged, and subscription blanks were given to twenty-two persons · making such pledges, but only three of them have reported collections, viz. : General W. E. Strong, Colonel Thomas Reynolds, and Colonel L. M. Dayton.
In reply to my letters requesting information as to progress made in this matter, five of those persons answer, assigning various reasons for having neglected to carry out the good intentions expressed at St. Louis ; the remainder are unheard from.
In conclusion, I can not too earnestly urge upon you the necessity of further and more energetic exertion, and remind you that we, as a Society, have pledged ourselves to the erection of this monument.
As the Army of the Tennessee has never yet failed in any thing it has undertaken, let us not do so in this, but put forth renewed efforts, and the result will add one more to the many achievements which we are proud to look back upon.
A HICKENLOOPER, Secretary.
269
Army of the Tennessee.
At the conclusion of reading the report of General Hicken- looper, he desired General Logan to express his views in regard to this subject, which he did, in the most interesting and feeling manner, eliciting the commendation of the members present. The mention of McPherson's name, and that the Society pro- posed to assist in the erection of a monument over his grave, was sufficient to claim the earnest attention of all. Colonel McMil- lan also made some remarks, approving the efforts of the Society, and thought if a committee were appointed to solicit subscrip- tions in New York City, money might be obtained there.
On motion of General Hickenlooper,
Resolved, That Colonel Charles R. McMillan, Colonel S. M. Bowman, and Colonel G. G. Pride, be appointed a special committee to solicit subscriptions in the city of New York, on behalf of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, in aid of the McPherson Monument Association.
On motion of General Noyes,
Resolved, That the most earnest thanks of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee are accorded to Mr. Francis Skiddy, of New York, for his liberal contribution of one thousand dol- lars in aid of the McPherson Monument fund.
At this point Lieutenant-General Sherman entered the hall, and was received, on presentation, with many cheers and raptur- ous applause. Learning what the point of business was that the Society was discussing, he stated that he had something referring to it, and which he would at once engage in, if in order.
Specially stating to the reporters present, that he had to speak of private affairs of General McPherson and a young lady to whom he was engaged to be married, when killed, he requested the reporters to omit this subject in their report, he said :
FELLOW-SOLDIERS ;- I understand that the subject now com- manding your attention is that of the McPherson Monument.
270
Army Reunion.
You recollect that at the time McPherson was killed, he was engaged to a young lady whom he met at the house of Mr. Louis McLean. It was my good fortune to become acquainted with Mr. McLean, in California, in 1846, and we both remained in that country until we became the respective heads of banking houses. Mr. McLean was a good Union man. The lady was very accomplished, and now considered herself the widow of McPherson, and was generally so recognized by Mr. McLean, with whom she lived in California. The other day, at St. Louis, I was called upon by Mr. McLean, who had come there on a visit, and, during the course of our conversation, he told me that he had collected four thousand three hundred and fifty dollars ($4,350) in California, as contribution to the McPherson Monument fund, but that his widow wished that the monument should be erected at West Point. Nevertheless, that if I could procure her consent, the amount should be forwarded for the Clyde Monument. I immediately wrote the young lady a long letter, in which I stated the claims that Clyde, where the hero was born, had in the premises, and I have since received her consent that the money collected by Mr. McLean shall go toward the monument now erecting over the grave of McPherson. Mr. McLean has signified this fact to me in a telegram which I received on Saturday last, and will now read to you :
NEW YORK, December 8, 1868.
GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN,
St. Louis, Missouri :
You can rely on the California subscription in my hands for monu- ment to General J. B. McPherson, amounting to some four thousand three hundred and fifty dollars ($4,350.)
LOUIS MCLEAN.
I now pledge to your Association, for the use as named, that sum of money, and in doing so I will suggest that the selection of the monument, and its erection, be accomplished as speedily
27I
Army of the Tennessee.
as possible. I need not tell you of McPherson's claims upon us, or how much I honored him, and appreciated his nobleness as a gentleman, a soldier, and your commander, but I do think if a modest memoriał is erected over his grave now, with the money we have, it will do him more honor than if we defer until years hence and erect one more costly.
General Sherman desired further to say a few words in connection with letters he had, though not regarding the matter under immediate consideration, he asked it as a privilege, because he had some engagements that would prevent his remaining during the regular course of business. He spoke of the lamented General Ransom in the strongest terms of approbation as a soldier and gentleman, and also read a letter from a Mr. Bridgeman, of New York, in which he hopes the matter of erecting a monument to General Ransom will be looked to at this meeting. He submitted the letters for consideration of the Society, and asked its members to do what they could in furtherance of the object. The letter reads :
NEW YORK, December 12, 1868.
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SHERMAN :
DEAR SIR; - The remains of my friend, General Ransom, who died . at Rome, Georgia, more than four years ago, were taken to Chicago, for interment, by his request. The city that he loved, honored him as one so gallant should be honored at his burial, but, if I mistake not, there is not a stone to mark the spot where he sleeps, and no movement on foot to place one there. It has occurred to me that some word might be said by some of the speakers at the reunion next week, that would incite to action the generous people of Chicago, who are going ahead so fast that they forget the past, and need to have their memory jogged. Cer- tainly that city should build a monument to one so brave and noble, who has laid down his life in their service.
I am sure you will sympathize with what I have written. I hope you will excuse the liberty a stranger takes. I will only add, I am a friend of Mr. Healy, the artist.
Very respectfully,
W. H. BRIDGEMAN.
272
Army Reunion.
General Sherman here spoke of Admiral Farragut, and Vice- Admiral D. D. Porter, presenting letters from them explaining why they could not accept his invitations and attend this reunion. Admiral Porter was at one time in command of the Mississippi Squadron, and worked in perfect harmony with the commanders of the Army of the Tennessee. His letter was wholly private, and but few extracts could be read from it; these, however, elicited much applause from the hearers.
Admiral Farragut's letter was read in full, as follows :
DEAR GENERAL; - Your very kind letter of the 2nd inst., inviting me to join your reunion of the Western armies, at their regular annual meeting, has just been received. To be present upon such an occasion, for the most excellent purpose of keeping alive and cementing more strongly the bonds of friendship formed in trials of fire and blood, and, in fact, every hardship incident to a war of the most desperate character that ever afflicted a nation, and through which their gallant leaders conducted them with such unparalleled success, from the mountains of the West to the ocean beach on the East, would, I can assure you, give me the greatest possible gratification, if it was only to experience the pleasure of hearing the soldiers of that grand army fight their many battles over again, and make their criticisms on the acts of their com- rades, whilst I could -in my time I could -occasionally tell them how these affairs were looked upon by the different nations of Europe; how they had, by their deeds, astonished and aroused the admiration of the most distinguished military men throughout the countries I have so recently visited ; but I regret that it will not be in my power to visit the West this winter. I beg you to believe me, however, when I say that I fully appreciate your desire to receive me with yards manned, and the kind expressions of friendship, which, I can assure you, I cordially reciprocate. I sincerely hope I may have the pleasure of meeting you during next spring, but my time is so much occupied at present that I am not able to make any engagements ahead.
I am, General, very sincerely yours,
D. G. FARRAGUT.
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SHERMAN, United States Army.
NEW YORK, December 8, 186S.
General Sherman now made one more appeal to the members to hasten the movement toward erecting a monument to General
273
Army of the Tennessee.
McPherson, giving it as his opinion that we should secure all subscriptions, and complete the whole, during the coming year. He was now done, and kindly thanking his listeners for the patience with which they heard him, he withdrew, the members giving him rapturous applause and three cheers.
Resuming the business under consideration, General Hicken- looper, on behalf of the committee, explained at some length, the impracticability of fixing upon any particular date upon which to close thie subscriptions. As the monument is to be erected not alone for the present, but for future generations, the committee do not deem it advisable to be too hasty in concluding a long and laborious task. Their past efforts must be taken as an earnest of what will be done in the future ; while there is no doubt that the subscriptions pledged will be promptly paid, the committee could not consent to go on and contract for the monument until the money necessary to pay for it is actually in their possession, or under their immediate control. The fund is steadily increas- ing, and in the opinion of the committee, it would be better to wait until the desired sum, fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), can be obtained, rather than erect a monument with the compar- atively small sum now on hand. As soon as the California fund, and the Clyde Association subscriptions are paid in, the commit- tees will be in a condition to act ; but even then ample time must be given them to advertise for plans, make their selection, and contract for the work. After which, he reported the subscrip- tions received during the present meeting, as follows :
Colonel Ad. Sanders,
$5 00
Major O. D. Kinsman, -
5 00
Colonel F. H. Madenburg, -
10 00
General J. B. Sanborn, 25 00
Captain L. F. Ross,
10 00
General H. T. Reid
100 00
Captain A. Barto, -
5 00
General G. M. Dodge, 18
50 00
274
Army Reunion.
Surgeon Plummer, - -
$5 00
Lieutenant Francis Rutger,
5 00
Captain Ed. Spear, -
25 00
Colonel John HI. Howe,
5 00
Surgeon A. E. Heighway, -
10 00
Cash,
2 00
General W. E. Strong,
50 00
Captain E. W. Lucas, -
5 00
Colonel L. H. Whittlesey, -
5 00
General C. E. Lippencot,
5 00
Colonel II. Scofield,
r
5 00
General E. F. Noyes, -
10 00
General J. W. Sprague,
10 00
Colonel John P. Hall, -
5 00
Major-General John A. Logan,
I50 00
Colonel S. A. Stockdale,
20 00
Colonel John Logan,
50 00
Colonel Richard Rowett,
10 00
General Giles A. Smith,
-
50 00
General L. E. Yorke, -
25 00
Colonel A. Sabine, -
50 00
And his statement was greeted with cheers.
On motion of Colonel Dayton,
Resolved, That the thanks of the Society are hereby accorded to Mr. Louis McLean, formerly of San Francisco, now of Balti- more, for the assistance he has given us through aiding Lieuten- ant-General Sherman in securing the California subscription, to be used by our Society, with its association fund, to place the McPherson Monument over his remains, at Clyde, Ohio.
On motion of General Smith,
Resolved, That the report of the committee on McPherson Monument, as given by General Hickenlooper, be accepted.
The proceedings of the Society were again interrupted by the arrival of Major-General George H. Thomas, U.S.A., and President of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, who was greeted in a most kindly manner by. rounds of cheers. It seemed to be a very gratifying incident to our Society to be visited by the President of a kindred Society-by one who had,
-
-
-
275
Army of the Tennessee.
during long campaigns, so ably co-operated with their own efforts in the one common object. General Logan formally presented him to the Society, when he said :
SOLDIERS ;- As I belonged to the Army of the Tennessee for a short time, I hope you will permit me to make a few remarks. I am gratified to be so courteously received. Now, at the present time, there is a very interesting meeting of the Army of the Cum- berland, to which I especially belong, and I must be there to keep them in order.
Three cheers were proposed for General Thomas, and given with a will.
The subject of a monument for General Ransom was then brought up by General Dodge, who urged the matter, and expressed the hope that some definite action would be taken.
General Wallace referred to the letter of Mr. Bridgeman, that had been read to the Society, and said that the remains of General Ransom are now deposited in Rose Hill Cemetery, the point selected for them, and that an association of the friends of General Ransom, and citizens of Chicago, were endeavoring to erect a monument to his memory, and desired the assistance of . the Society.
On motion of General Dodge,
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to confer with the citizen association of Chicago intending to erect a mon- ument commemorating General T. E. G. Ransom ; said com- mittee to be Generals W. E. Strong, F. A. Starring, Ezra Taylor, Joseph Stockton, and Colonel L. H. Whittlesey.
On motion of General Giles A. Smith,
Resolved, That the thanks of the Society are accorded as follows: To the local committees who have had in charge the arrangement of this reunion, for their untiring exertions, judg- ment and skill displayed in contributing so largely to the success
276
Army Reunion.
and pleasure of this meeting. To the Glee Club that has done so much to enliven the occasion by their excellent singing. To the various railway companies who have carried our members to and from this meeting at reduced rates. To the citizens of this city, ladies and gentlemen, for their uniform kindness and courtesy, and their personal presence, on appropriate occasions, to encourage and add to the interest of our meetings.
On motion of General Wallace,
Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be conveyed to General Giles A. Smith, for the able, gentlemanly and devoted manner in which he has presided at this meeting while a Vice- President of the Society.
On motion,
Resolved, That the thanks of the Society are tendered "The Chicago Board of Trade" for the great respect and deference that has been shown by it toward those gathered here to partici- pate in this reunion, in giving the free use of their unequaled trade room to hold our banquet in, and for adjourning their regular trade session this day, that the room might be prepared for us, and that this recognition of the same be communicated in writing.
On motion of General M. R. M. Wallace, it was
Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be tendered our dis- tinguished comrade, General W. W. Belknap, for his able and eloquent address, delivered at the Reunion of the Societies of the Armies of the Tennessee, Cumberland, Georgia and Ohio, at Crosby's Opera House, last evening, in behalf of this Society, and that the Corresponding Secretary be instructed to notify him in writing. 1
General Grant visited the Society at this time, escorted by the committee selected for that purpose. His entrance to the hall was the signal, and was followed by the most emphatic enthu- siasm and bursts of cheers. The Society and spectators entire,
277
Army of the Tennessee.
arose and stood to receive their old and first commander, under whose guidance they had won so many victories, and preserved the nation to peace. In introducing him the President said :
GENTLEMEN ; - I have the pleasure of presenting to you the President elect, who has proved his faith by his works.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.