USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > Muscatine > First and second re-unions of the Thirty-fifth Iowa infantry held at Muscatine, Iowa. First re-union, September 29, 1886. Second re-union, October 2 and 3, 1889 > Part 3
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Allusion has been made to what the women at home did for the soldiers -e. g., in planting and digging potatoes. I helped in that, and at the request of the women gave a motto from the Bible to put upon the express tags which were fastened to each package of potatoes and onions sent. It was not probably as much prized by the soldiers as were the vegetables. But it was of interest as coming from God's word, where we went for prayers against the Confederacy. and was from the book of Revelations, as follows: "And the Earth Helped the Woman." The women helped the soldiers and the earth helped the women.
I am glad to again look into the faces of so many of the boys of the 35th Iowa, and to shake hands with so many of them. I have often, in officiat- ing at the funerals of soldiers of the Union, had full enough sympathy with the heresy of him of the Iowa Brigade. Stern tells ns that when Toby, under great provocation, droppe l an oath, the recording angel, as he put it onto the book, dropped a tear upon it and blotted it out forever. Cable, in one of liis stories of the Creole days, tells of a quadroon in New Orleans who, in order to save her illegitimate child from the taint of slavery, swore that the beautiful and white girl was not her own, but that of another woman, not a slave, whose portrait she showed.
But, being a good Catholic, she was compelled by conscience to confess her sin to the priest, and at or before her absolution she died in the confes- sional, from the excitement of opposing elements in her heart. So it has seemed, sometimes, that most any fault might be pardoned in him who has given his life for his country's.
Yet no loyal soldier but knows that he should be in heart and in all things, loyal to that God who has given him a country worth dying for. I thank you for the privilege of these few moments.
Then followed a fine recitation of "The Felon," by Comrade Mee, and remarks by H. F. Bodman, Drum Major Becke, R. H. MeCampbell and George Hettinger.
. The "Star Spangled Banner" was rendered by the choir, followed by "Old Shady," from Comrade McCoy, after which the following resolutions were adopted unanimously:
Your committee appointed to draft resolutions appropriate to this, our first Re-union, report the following:
Ist. We congratulate each other on this, our first Re-union since 1865, and are grateful that we can still muster 200 strong.
2d. We think of our dead comrades so true to us and so brave for the country for which they gave their lives, our brave and best beloved com- mander, Colonel Hill, the brave and patriotic Major Johns, gallant Bur- meister, Blank, Shaw, Evans, Dugan and others, aud the many brave boy's who fell with them in the same holy cause.
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FIRST RE-UNION, THIRTY-WITH IOWA.
3d. We mourn the sudden and unexpected death of our comrade, the late Major Dill, whom we expected to meet with us to-day; brave, faithful sol- hier, true patriot; we tender to his widow and children our tenderest sym- pathy.
4th. To Shelby Norman Post G. A. R. we offer our grateful apprecia- tion of their brotherly kindness and soldierly attention.
5th. To Co. C, 2d Regiment, I N. G., we extend the thanks of brothers, and commit the keeping of the country we served to their valor and patriotism1.
6th. To the women and girls of Muscatine who cared for our wants when we went out, welcomed ns home, and are able and willing to care for our comforts to-day, we extend every feeling and sentiment that the gal- lantry of soldiers and the love of brothers dictate.
7th. To the citizens of Muscatine, one and all for their hearty welcome and generous hospitality we give a soldier's thanks, with three cheers and a tiger.
HENRY O'CONNOR, . S. M. COBB, F. W. EVANS, Committee.
On motion, the time and place of the next Re-union were left in the hands of the executive committee.
Then came one of the best treats of the evening in the singing by O. S. Terry of "John Brown," which was followed by "She Leaf Poor Schnapps Pehint," by Comrade McCoy, of the - regiment, and "The Faded Coat of Blue," by Mr. and Mrs. McCoy, who were heartily applauded. .
Mr. Van Horne was called ont, and tendered his congratulations, and made the boys quite a speech, which they warmly appreciated, and then Colonel Keeler gave the assembly a talking dialect recitation of Miles O'Reilly's "Fall of Richmond," which was applauded to the echo. "Auld Lang Syne" followed, sung by all hands, three cheers for the old colors, which were held upon the stage by their old bearers and guards, taps were sounded, then the Colonel ordered the ashes to be raked over the embers until the next Re-union, and the first Re-union of the 35th Iowa was over.
The donation of the hall by L. W. Olds was unfortunately omitted by the committee on rosolutions, a circunistinice regretted by all. The execu- tive committee summoned Mr. Olds to the Webster Hotel parlors the fol- lowing night, and there presented him with a large photograph of the Regi- ment as they appeared at the Re-union. It was handsomely framed in gilt and plush, and now hangs in Mr. Olds' parlor, ornamented with the badges of the Regiment. He considers it the finest rental ever received by him for his Opera House.
The following is the roster of the Regiment as it marched at the first Re-union:
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FIRST RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
Colonel, W. B. Keeler.
Major, II. O'Connor.
Surgeon, S. M. Cobb.
Surgeon, C. L. Chambers.
.Chaplain, F. W. Evans.
Lt. and Q. M., R. B. Baird.
Lt. and Q. M., II. Lolland. Commissary Sergt., Geo. W. Wise. Chief Musician, HI. Schmidt.
Drum Major, M. Becke.
Wagon Master, Thos. Rayner.
VISITING. Ex-Governor S. J. Kirkwood.
MEMBERS BY COMPANIES.
COMPANY A.
O. Sergt., I. Kintzle.
Sergt., J. W. Berry.
Sergt., W. M. Benefiel.
Sergt., J. Blessing. Musician, O. Dickinson.
Corporal, HI. Gurtner. Corporal, Geo. C. Winn. Corporal, G. H. Wiles. Corporal, J. Covell.
Berry, J. L.
Harmon, J. A. Smith, Wmn.
Clough, J.
Kemptner, E.
Simmons, G.
Everett, R. M.
Long, J. S. Stafford, A. J.
Fishburn, W. H.
Steckman, A. Whitmer, T.
Feustal, J.
Smith, Chas. Walker, A.
Hesser, C. W.
COMPANY B.
0. Sergt., B. F. Hershe.
Sergt., Willis Davis.
Sergt., S. Lantz .. Corporal, W. Brownawell.
Brockway, G. A. Ilunter, J. C.
Morom, F.
Baldwin, L.
Ilopson, A.
Nicola, J.
Burr, D. O.
Irwin, S.
Osborn, A.
Cone, W. D.
Klepper, E. Purcell, I. N.
Dora, Bass
Lowry, W. B.
Ryerson, D.
Desbro, S. S.
McCampbell, R. 11. Stewart, M. M.
Funk, A, S. Mathis, C. W.
Wise, J. A.
Hunter, C. II.
Mayes, C. C.
Walters, L. K.
COMPANY C.
2d Lieut., C. Kranz.
Corporal, J. J. Boston,
Sergt., L. Goetzman.
Sergt., C. Hinkle.
Corporal, C. Brenner. Corporal, A. Othmer. Musician, C. Brown. Musician, A. Hartman.
Betholz, J. Hocke, II.
Schafer, J.
Eckhardt, II. lless, J.
Spohn, G. Schomberg, J.
Frochner, J. Knopp, G.
Giesler, F. Miller, L.
Weimann, W. C.
flettinger, Geo. Neibert, J.
Weber, F.
Sergt., C. A. Rink. Corporal, H. F. Burmeister,
Corporal, W. Hoffner. Corporal, E. Patten. Corporal, John Seiler.
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FIRST RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
COMPANY D.
Corporal, M. Wilson.
Sergt., P. Leysen. Corporal, I. K. Chase.
Bodman, R. D.
Luse, B.
Schofel, J. W.
Bodman, H. F.
Mec, M. J.
Sneer, F. W.
Bowman, J.
Meerdink, H. Terry, O. S.
Cutcomb, Wm.
Myers, H. M. Thompson, S. M.
Eichoff, 1.
MeKivett, J.
Wright, E. R.
lleath, II.
Nicholas, F. N.
White, N. P.
King, E. Il.
Stocker, G.
COMPANY E.
Captain, F. W. Doran. O. Sergt., J. A. MeCormack. Sergt., J. Foley.
Sergt., E. R. Jordan. Sergt., M. Purcell. Corporal, J. Price.
Byrne, S. Keenan, P.
Sullivan, P.
Connor, B.
Kelley. C.
Carey, D.
Lang, J.
Walsh, J. B. Woods, J. M.
Doyle, J.
Moylan, E.
Hearn, P.
O'Malia, M.
COMPANY F.
1st Lieut., G. W. Baxter. ed Lieut., G. W. H. Lucas. O. Sergt., T. M. Brown. Sergt., O. Il. P. Linn.
Corporal, J. B. Cross. Corporal, J. S. Kelley. Corporal, A. V. Riggs.
Bretz, J. Brookhardt, J.
Hendrix, Wm.
Snyder, S. B.
Hiddlebangh, A. Snyder, A. J.
Ilubbard, II. S. Sleeley, M.
Cross, P. Fangmyer, W.
Hessler, II.
Shellabarger, D. W.
Fitzsimmons. T.
Rumery, J.
Weaver, J.
Fry, J.
Reichley, G. W.
COMPANY G.
Ist Lieut., L. F. Creitz. Sergi., L. S. Corey. Corporal, E. W. Brooker.
Corporal, N. Gaskill. Corporal, E. Kingsbury. Musician, S. H. Wise.
Cooper, W. A.
Jewell, II. B. Lambert, S. V. Syas, O.
Sterritt, G. T.
Duncan, Fred.
Jones, J. Il.
Rowntree, J. II. Wildasin, Geo.
COMPANY H.
O. Sergt., M. Rice. Sergt .. W. Ayres. Sergt., J. A. Flaugher.
Betzer, A. R.
Grewell, J. C.
Tipton, W. S.
Davis, J.
Ilill, B.
COMPANY I.
Coporal, J. Evans. Baker, A.
Evans, If. A. Lowe, N. M.
COMPANY K.
Ross. I. N. Lichtenwalter, S. J.
Fulweder, A. Ileller, M.
Corporal, E. Kamerling. Corporal, J. Ward.
SECOND RE=UNION OF THE-
35TH REGIMENT, IOWA V. I.
MUSCATINE, IOWA, October 2 and 3, ISS9.
The first Re-union three years ago lasted but one day, and that was not time enough by at least half. Now the boys determined to double up the time and quadruplicate the quality. The date was fixed, headquarters, as of old, established at Olds' Opera House.
Shelby Norman Post, G. A. R. and the Women's. Relief Corps opened their rooms, flung out their banners, and bade the boys welcome.
The warm feeling existing between the soldier of the future and the vet- eran of the past prompted Co. C, (Muscatine Rifles) 2d Regiment, I. N. G., to again throw wide open their large hall and beautiful parlors for the ban- quet to be given to the Regiment.
Shelby Norman Post also sent a detail, who decorated headquarters handsomely for the Re-union.
Wednesday morning seemed to have been made especially for the meet- ing, and the sound of the old drum corps was early heard as the reception . committee with the old flags of the Regiment marched to the depot to meet the veterans on the incoming trains.
For the fourth time the gallant Thirty-Fifth of Iowa Volunteers is the guest of the city. It was here in August, 1862, when the boys were mus- tered in and departed for the front for the defense of an imperiled Union. Here again Angust 10, 1865, when it came home with its battle-scarred ban- ner and was paid off here, being mustered out in Davenport a day or two before, with one of the grandest records in the Army of the Republic. Again it came in October, 1886, twenty-one years after the war. Its ranks had been sadly thinned; the boys of '62 showed many a wrinkled visage and locks of gray and white, and the eyes were not so keen as when they stood picket duty or looked down the barrel of their rifles twenty-three years before, and there were bent forms that could not again have stood those forced marches in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. But every heart glowed with love of comrade and of country, and with fond remembrances of Muscatine.
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SECOND RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
And the banners of the city hang out their welcome from every window, the Opera House again lights up with the blaze of the camp fire, and re- echoes with Becke's drum, and speech and song, and resounds with only such cheers as ring from the lips of those who cheered for flag and country when life hung in the balance.
MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION.
At 2 p m. the assembly was sounded from the balcony of Olds' Opera House, and the Regiment and citizens filled the hall.
The balustrade of the gallery was trimmed with flags and the proscenim was dressed with banners and foliage plants. In the center of the stage stood a stack of arms supporting the battle-torn ensigns of the Regiment. "Old Glory," which the boys followed through three long years of war, hung conspicuously draped in mourning. Suspended centrally over the proscenium hung a banner with the following inscriptions:
OUR RECORD: Jackson, May 14, 1863. Vicksburg. Jackson, July 11, 1863. Middleton. Ft. De Russy. Henderson Hill. Campti. Pleasant Hill. Mansura. Yellow Bayon. Old River Lake. Brice Cross Roads. Tupello. Tallahatehte River. Nashville. Spanish Fort.
The appearance on the stage of Colonel Keeler, Lieut. - Colonel Roth- rock, (now of the Iowa Supreme Bench) Capt. F. W. Doran, Captain S. H. Dixson and Mayor Gobble, was greeted with applause.
Col. Win. B. Keeler, president of the association, called the assembly to order with warmly congratulatory words. It was 27 years ago that the 35th Regiment, composed mainly of the flower of the youth of this city and county and from two sister counties, marched down the Avenue to depart for the field of action. The heads of the boys were black, or brown, or red; now the snows of coming age have fallen upon most, and your locks are white or
PRINTD ELETTROTYPE / ENVIONY
ALBERT SIBLEY, * Sergeant-Major 35th Regiment, Iowa Vol. Inf.
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SECOND RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
gray. The speaker said he wished he had the words of the orator to express his gratitude that so many had been spared to meet at this Re-union. He could feel this gratitude very deeply, and the great pleasure of looking into the faces of so many well-remembered comrades. They would be addressed with words of welcome by the Mayor of the city, and he had the pleasure of introducing Hou. John M. Gobble, Mayor of Muscatine.
Mayor Gobble was received with applause, and delivered the following address :
MAYOR GOBBLE'S ADDRESS OF WELCOME. Mr. President, and Survivors of the 35th Iowa:
It is an agreeable duty for me to be called to welcome you again to our city. But while it is a pleasure it seems to me to be entirely unnecessary, as I have not the language nor do I believe that our orators could express in words such a hearty and sincere welcome as is felt and manifested toward you by all our citizens.
While it is true that many of you come from distant and various parts of this country, we feel and shall always claim that this is the rightful home of the 35th Iowa Infantry, and it shall be our endeavor to make each and every one feel as we do, so long as you stay with us (Applause.) We had the pleasure of entertaining you at your first Re-union three years ago, and we have reason to believe that you all enjoyed yourselves on that occasion, and it is our desire to make this, your second Re-union, still more pleasant, and thereby impress on your memories the fact, as we believe, that for genuine, old-fashioned hospitality Muscatine has but few equals and no superior. (Applause.)
We take a pardonable pleasure in calling to your attention the solid- improvements and substantial progress made by our little city since your former visit, and the hearts of all true residents of the Bridge City swell with pride when we speak of our prosperity and think of the future success which we hope to attain.
We are a happy, moral and contented people, and so healthy that even one of our undertakers has retired from business for a better and more pleas- ing vocation.
Providence has indeed been kind to you, as to us, and I am pleased to know that you meet with us again with so of your few comrades missing from the ranks. Let us pray that many years hence will find you as united and happy as you are to-day.
The record of your regiment is an honorable and enviable one, and I have 110 doubt some of your members will do full justice to its history.
I have been much interested in some of your experiences, as told by your comrades, and particularly of the last hard service you saw in 1864, when you made the trip of about 1, 750 miles through Missouri and Arkan- sas, marching on foot over 900 miles, and going for over two months with- out a change of clothing. I believe it was on this march that your general, on election day, issued to yon double rations of hard tack and whisky. (Laughter and applause. ) 1
I take it for granted that there is not one here to-day but what ate the hard tack and threw out the whisky, and that is what we want you to do on this occasion, for before yon leave us we propose to issne you double rations
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SECOND RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
of provisions and water, and we ask you to eat drink and be merry, and talk over the times of long ago when you were soldier boys.
In conclusion let me say that there is nothing in Muscatine too good for the 35th Iowa, (applause) and if in your rambles about the city you do not see what you want, do not be too modest to ask for it, and if possible it will be forth coming. (Applause. )
President Keeler said that one who might at first appear somewhat of a stranger to the Regiment, had been assigned to respond to Mayor Gobble's address of welcome, but before he got far advanced he would probably be recognized as Captain F. W. Doran, of Co. E. (Applause, which became an ovation as Captain Doran came to the frout.)
RESPONSE OF CAPTAIN F. W. DORAN.
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, comrades and fellow citizens:
I feel honored beyond expression in being ealled to respond to the eor- dial and warm welcome which has been extended to the old vets of the 35th . by the citizens of Muscatine through their bright and intelligent young Mayor. And in behalf of my comrades, "the boys that wore the blue," I am pleased to say that your warm welcome and grand reception is highly appreciated by every one of my comrades present. This ovation to the old vets by the generous and patriotic citizens of Museatine goes to show that though the soldier element is getting like the line of beauty, "small by degrees and beautifully less," still it is highly honored and respected by an intelligent and patriotie people. And we are glad that we are here to-day, in "God's own country," in the banner county of the grand State of Iowa. I know and feel that I speak the sentiments of every comrade here to-day when I say that this occasion makes our hearts throb with pride and gratitude Such honor and respect as you extend to us eannot fail but to stir up the deepest fountains of the heart and bring forth the finer sensibili- ties and emotions of our nature. It cannot fail to affect the old vet when he sees the youth, beauty and intelligence of the land extending to him the highest honors. Methinks I hear some of the piously inclined old grisleys saying, "Thank God, our sufferings and sacrifices are not forgotten. We are still appreciated. The old soldier is not played ont." You are right, my old comrades. The boy who wore the blue is not played out. He will never play out in this land. When he plays out the light of liberty will desert the folds of that banner. (Applause.) He will never play out nor die out in this "land of the free and home of the brave." He will ever live in luis grand works, the defense of liberty, and the elevation of humanity. He will live forever in stenla sæculorum. His name will be enshrined in the heart of every lover of liberty. The muse of history shall inscribe his glorious deeds on her brightest pages, and as the ages roll on the genius of musie and poetry will lend their aid to brighten and embellish his glorious deed. His name and fame will live forever, and be handed down crowned with laurels and immortelles from father to son, from generation to genera- tion, and it is this pleasing reflection that his name and fame will be immor- tal that, no doubt, often sustains many an old vet whilst struggling against an adxerse fate. But with those bright visions of the future and the glori- ous memories of the past floating in beauty and triumph before his mind's eye, what cares he for the frowns of fate? Fate has no terrors for the man who has oft faced death at the cannon's mouth. He can say, as he ealls up his reserves of pride and courage, the forces that made him a man of iron on the field of battle over a quarter of a century ago, "Let fate do her worst." (Applause. )
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SECOND RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
Let fate do her worst, there are relics of joy,
Bright dreams of the past which she cannot destroy, Which come in the night time of sorrow and care,
And bring with them the features that joy used to wear. Long, long be our hearts with those memories filled Like the vase in which roses have long been distilled,
You may break or destroy the vase if you will,
But the scent of the roses will hang round it still.
I feel that I should be wanting in gratitude if I let slip or pass over this occasion without paying my humble tribute of respect and devotion to the women of Muscatine. My language is inadequate to express my esteem and gratitude for those noble ladies who in the past as the present ever ministered to our wants, when sick or wounded, in camp or fiekl. The blessing of many a brave boy in blue now nestles in the once golden or raven curls of the now dignified and lovable matrons of Muscatine. And the blessing of the past now light up and transfigure with heavenly radi- ance the thin white locks that proclaim "this is the reflection from the light of Heaven." And here let me add my humble prayer, "May God bless the noble women of Muscatine, who in the days of the stormny and terrible past did so much for the vets, and did it gently and quietly, without any blaze of trumpets or beating of the brass bands. I am glad that I have this oppor- tunity to feebly express my respect, esteem and devotion for the ladies of Museatine."
In conclusion, I want it distinctly understood that I want no man to exceed me in devotion to woman, even if he can express himself more fluently or appropriately. (Applause.)
As the speaker retired three cheers were called and given with a ring.
Lieutenant-Colonel and Hon. J. H. Rothrock was now presented to the andience. He said that the present was a pleasure he had desired three years ago, but was not then able then to enjoy it. Coming to this city he was feelingly reminded of the scene twenty-seven years ago when the 35th marched down these streets, a body of 960 young men, strong and buoyant in their youth, feeling that a grand mission was before them. They were all young. Colonel Hill, who was 43, was the oldest of the Regiment, and the speaker was but 31, and the large majority were in their first young man- hood. A quarter of a century has since passed, and we gather here with our grey and silver locks to speak of what that Regiment found at the front and to bless the memory of our dead comrades. That was a grand Regi- ment. It was a self-respecting, earnest, well disciplined body, and fired with a high patriotism, and no regiment returned from the war with a prouder record. He was compelled to leave it in 1863, and it was the sever- est sorrow of his life. He never knew it to fail to obey orders but once, and that was before Vicksburg, when it stood on the crest exposed to the hottest fire of rifle and battery, and he gave the command to fall to the ground. The boys sat down. (Laughter. ) But in a moment more they appreciated the order, and fell as flat as pancakes, and the speaker was as flat as the others. (Laughter and applause ) The speaker narrated other incidents of
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SECOND RE-UNION, THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA.
the 35th's history, marking the coolness, bravery and other qualities which won upon his esteem, and made him feel that the officers were in their place only by accident, and that every private carried in his heroic bearing the possible commission of a general. Time has swiftly passed since the war, and generations crowded npon each other. The current was sweeping civil- ians down the stream as well as the soldier. We are passing, one by one, off the stage, which should draw those who remain in closer bonds of affec- tion and good will, and he trusted that these re-unions would frequently mark the years to come. The comrades were now gray or baldheaded, while many are now lying gently sleeping. The 35th were in earnest and ready for their duty, and he wanted to say there never was a regiment came out of the war with a better record than the 35th Iowa Infantry. (Applause.) He had not met many of the boys since August 23, 1863, and this was one of the happiest days of his life. He felt as proud to shake hands to-day with a . private of the 35th as he would with a general.
The Colonel closed amid hearty applause.
Colonel Keeler remarked that there was no special program for that afternoon, and comrades could take possession.
There were instant calls from all over the house for "Tobe" Brown, and he came forward amid the cheers of the Regiment.
"Tobe" is probably the most original character of the lowa division of the Union army, and he has few peers in the whole country. He took up at onee Colonel Rothrock's allusion to that laying low before Vicksburg. The 35th were not scared then, but they were awfully homesick. (Shouts of laughter.) Those boys never did scare except at their rations. (Laughter.) A Second Iowa Cavalryman had asked him to-day if the 35th was really in the war. ( Merriment. ) I told that saddle-bag gentleman that a history of the war with the 35th left out wouldn't sell-it would make so small a book it wouldn't be worth publishing. (Laughter and applause.) The 35th also had the champion chaplain (Rev. F. W. Evans) of the war, not as a pugi- list,' but in the use of words he could beat greased lightning. (Hearty and prolonged cheering.) And now the 35th was back in Muscatine again, and we were glad to come here, for it is the best city in the world, (applause) the banner city of the banner county of glorious Iowa. (Great cheering ) The 35th came from Muscatine and her surroundings, and here we are made at home and feel at home. (Applause.) Colonel Rothrock feared that the 35th would some day die out. Never. The old Regiment was immortal. (Prolonged cheering.) Die out! Look at the offspring that are following- most of us. (Laughter.) Captain Doran, (addressing that officer confiden- tially) how many Dorans are following you? (The stage and the house
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