USA > Illinois > Reunion of the 86th Regiment Illinois Infantry, 1889 > Part 10
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Yours in F. C. L., SOL. I. ZINSER, Commander.
-- 7 1898
64273
Prefatory.
Comrades of the noble old S6th Illinois regiment. Perhaps none of you are so much surprised to find the office of Adjutant still in my banda as I am myself I was very anxious for some one else to assume this duty, but our Executive Committee set themselves squarely against my wishes and here I am again, commencing to make another little book. Such is life. We never could see very far ahead, along the pathway, but almost all of us can see back for more than half a century.
In answer to questions asked by a number of comrades who never attend- ed one of our reunions, I will say :- Yes, you are members of this Association. Every living man-no matter where he is or what is his present condition- who was ever at any time, a member of the 86th Regt IN. Vol. Inft., is a mem- ber of this Association.
The dues are one dollar per year. However, the payment of dues is voluntary and not compulsory. Any member whois not financially able to pay his yearly dues is gladly excused; and any member who is financially able to pay his dues, but does not desire to do so, is excused too, whether excusable or not! All are members of the Association anyway.
The collection of dues has never been sufficient to defray expenses. At every reunion held yet, some comrade or comrades have voluntarily paid for the music, the hall rent, or some other necessary expense, and by these helps, the dues collected have been sufficient to pay the remaining expenses. At the recent reunion, ninety-five comrades were present, eighty-nine of them paid dues, and one paid twenty dollars for hall rent, in allition to his dues. The most costly item of the Association's expenses is the printing aud binding of the proceedings of each reunion, a copy of which is mailed to each comrade, far or near, whose address is known.
It has always been the effort of those in attendance to make each reunion as pleasant an I enjoyable as possible. Slagers anl ma ician; have been em- ployed to a Il to the pleasures, but the oritors have invariably been selected from the 86th regiment. The yearly rides, tendered by Capt. John II. Hall, on the Ft. Clark street railway has become a standard pleasure. Many comrades are accompanied by their wives and children, and a great many visitors honor the Association with their presence.
I believe the foregoing answers, sufficiently, the numerous questions that have been asked.
Now I wish to request each and every comrade to send me obituary notices and changes in post-office addresses, and thus keep our record as nearly correct as is possible to do.
C. W. McKowy, Adjutant, Peoria, Ill.
Preliminary.
The Executive Committee of the Association of the 86th Ill. Regt., met in Peoria, Commander A. W. Belcher in the Chair.
Lieut. E. C. Silliman offered to secure the auditorium in the V. M. C. A. building, at his own expense, in which. to hold the reunion. His offer was gladly accepted.
The resignation of adjutant Mckown was duly considered, and it was unanimously agreed to recommend to the full ineeting of the Association that be be paid a salary of thirty dollars a year if he would continue to act as adju- tant. He consented to do so if the recommendation was approved by the regiment,
Comrades J. W. Ewing, H. F. Hosselton. and John McGinnis were appoint- ed a committee on music for the reunion.
Adjutant L. J. Dawdy was authorized to secure badges.
The following exercises were mapped out for the sixth reunion, Aug. 26 and 27, :892.
Programme.
I. Call to order at to o'clock a. m., by Commander Belcher.
2. Prayer by Chaplain.
3. Singing Coronation-by Regiment.
4. Reading minutes of last meeting.
5. Reports of Commander, Adjutant, and Quarter Master.
6. Music.
7. Adjourn to 2 P. M.
AFTERNOON.
I. Two o'clock, Music by the Old Regimental Band.
2. Call to order.
3. Song by Washington Glee Club.
4. General business of the Association.
5. Reading Death Roll.
6. Reading Communications.
7. Appointment of committees.
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
8. Election of Officers.
9. Music.
10. Miscellaneous Business.
JI. Adjourn to 7:30 P. M. EVENING SESSION.
I. Call to order at 7:30.
2. Singing by Washington Quartette.
3. Recitation by the Daughter of the Regiment.
4. Camp Fire.
5. Adjourn.
SECOND DAY.
I. Call to order at S A. M.
2. Singing-America.
3. Prayer. i
4. Music.
5. Recitation by Daughter of Regiment.
6. Annual Address by Comrade L. L. Lehman.
7 .. Singing -- Marching Through Georgia, by all present.
S. Report of Committee on Death Roll.
9. Unfinished business.
10. Installation of Commander.
II. Singing-God be with you till we meet again.
12. Benediction.
Proceedings.
The Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry met in the auditorium of the V. M. C. A. building in Peoria, Ill., August 26th, IS92, at HI o'clock a. m.
Commander Belcher and Vice Commander Wrigley being absent the meet- ing was called to order by the adjutant and comrade.
H. H. Nurse was duly elected commander pro-tem.
Coronation was sung and a call for Chaplain Wilson showed his absence. Motion to suspend reading of minutes of last meeting carried.
No report was received from the absent commander. The adjutant reported as follows:
Peoria, Ill., Ang. 26th, IS92.
Commander and Comrades: My financial account for the past year is as follows:
CREDIT.
Bills for printing and binding proceedings of last reunion $36 00
Freight and drayage on same . 50
Postal wrappers for mailing same 5 50
Programmes for present reunion . 1 75
Postage on same 5 60
Letter postage . So
Total . $50 15
DEBIT.
Cash received of Quartermaster Hall . $30 00
Cash received of Acting Quartermaster McGinnis . 32 00
Cash r. ceived, yearly dues, R. B. Beebe . 1 00
Cash received. yearly dues, unknown comrade . 50
Cash received, yearly dues, J. C. Ziler . 1 00
Cash received, yearly dues, E M. Armstrong 1 00
Cash received, yearly dues, W. R. Ogden 2 00
Total . 567 50
Leaving a balance in my hands of $17.35.
Respectfully, C. W. McKowy.
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
Quartermaster Hall made a verbal report.
Miss Sliester rendered some instrumental music, after which the associa- tion adjourned to meet at 2 o'clock.
Afternoon Sssion.
The afternoon meeting was ushered in by music on fife and drums, after which the house was called to order by Commander Nurse,
Lieutenant John McGinnis reported for the executive committee and made a motion that C. W. Mckown be paid $30 per year for performing the duties of adjutant. The motion was seconded and unanimously adopted.
Music by Washington quartette.
Lieutenant Kingman moved that each company select a man for its member of the new executive committee and that those so selected report candidates for officers and speakers. Motion carried.
While this was being carried out "everybody" sang Marching Through Georgia.
Captain John H. Hall invited the regiment and as many of its friends as wished to go to take a ride on the Fort Clark electric street cars. A motion was made to accept the invitation and that S o'clock next morning be the time to start. Carried.
The companies reported the following as their members respectfully of the executive committee:
A-A. W. Stewart,
C-Cyrus Root,
B -- W. J. Huber, D-Win. Graham,
E-H. F. Hosselton. F-L. J. Dawdy,
G-Martin Kingman, H-J. W. Ewing,
I-T. J. Love,
K-John Slane,
The new executive committee as thus forined held a meeting and reco- mended for commander, Captain S. L. Zinser; vice commander, John McGin- nis; quartermaster, H. F. Hosselton: chaplain. A. Q. Wilson. To deliver the annual address Captain Jo Major; alternate A. P. Webber.
On motion of Colonel Fahnestock the report of the committee was adopted and the comrades declared duly elected.
This was followed by reading a large number of communications from absent comrades, some extracts of which will be found on future pages.
Col. A. L. Fahnestock, Capt. S. L. Zinser and Lieut. E. C. Silliman were appointed a committee on death roll and obituary resolutions.
Adjourned to 7:30 p. m.
Evening Session.
The meeting was called to order by Commander Pro-tem Nurse. The Washington quartette sung a selection.
Miss Jones rendered a recitation.
Several communications were read.
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SIXTH REUNION
Just at this time a "special delivery" letter was received and read from Comrade N. S. Haynes as follows:
535 Chestuut street, Englewood, Chicago, Aug. 26, 1892. ADJ. C. W. MCKOWN, Peoria, Ill.
Dear Sir and Comrade: Boswell says of Dr. Samuel Johnson: "It was his custom to observe certain days with a pious abstraction, namely, New Years Day, the day of his wife's death, Good Friday, Easter Day, and his own birthday." So August 27th will always be to us a redletter day. It is stamped ineffaceably upon our memories. I deeply regret my inability to join in our thirtieth regimental anniversary. But I hope your reunion may be most enjoyable, and that the sad and glad and glorious memories of the long ago, reawakened by the stroke of the bell of years, may again fill and thrill all your hearts. Give my love to all the boys. In the recollections of August 27, 1862, will we not be always young? Its youth and elasticity, its high purposes and inspiring hopes were a priceless treasure. The dying decades cause us to pray more earnestly. Great God of destinies protect our flag and preserve our nation. At the fiftieth anniversary of the American Anti-Slavery Society, held in Philadelphia in 1883, only two persons were present, namely, Robert Pur- vis, the chairman, and Eligur Wright, the audience. The only other sur- viving signer of the original declaration, John G. Whittier, the poet of freedom, could not be present. Thus does old time scatter all the children of earth. And at our fiftieth anniversary I wonder how few and who will be present? Comrades, may we all so live that whether present or absent then, we may all answer "here" at the last roll call of the Great Commander.
Yours truly, N. S. HAYNES.
bieut. Henderson's Address.
Lien'enant J. H. Henderson delivered the following address:
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Our Flag.
In looking over this assembly of intelligent men, it occurs to me that there might have been a more appropriate selection made with reference to material in response to this toast: a theme on which orators have eulogized and poets sang through each succeeding generation for the past century.
In response to this sentiment, it will not be considered amiss to say a word with reference to the origin of this glorious flag, even the sight of which thrills the heart of every patriotic American.
The American congress in session at Philadelphia, established by its reso- lution of June 14, 1777, a national flag for the United States of America.
The resolution was as follows:
Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, in a blue field, representing a new constellation.
Although nearly a year previous, (July 4, 1776) these thirteen United States
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EIGHTY.SIXTH REGIMENT.
had been declared independent, this resolution is the first legislative action recorde l relating to a national flag
The use of the thirteen stripes was not a new feature, as they had been introduced (in alternate white and blue) on the upper left hand corner of a standard presented to the Philadelphia Light Horse by its captain in the early part of 1775, and moreover, the union flag of the thirteen united colonies, raised at Washington's headquarters at Cambridge, January 2, 1776, had the thirteen stripes just as they are this day; but it also had the crosses of S :. George and St. Andrew ou a blue ground in the corner. There is no satis- factory evidence, however, that any flig bearing the union of the stars had been in public use before the resolution of June 14, 1777.
The resolution establishing the flag was not officially promulgated by the secretary of congress until September 3. 1777. Yet it seems well authenticated that the stars and stripes were carried at the battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777, and thence forward during all the battles of the revolution.
History is silent upon the point as to whom is due the credit of making the first fiag; but tradition claims that honor for Mrs John Ross, the wife of an upholsterer, at that time living on Arch : treet, Philadelphia, and who, it is claimed, constructed the first flag in her own parlors under the immediate supervision of General Washington and a committee from congress.
Soon after its adoption the new flag was hoisted on all the naval vessels of the United States, and on February 14, 1778, the flag of the ship Ranger, theu lying in a French port and commnamed by Captain Paul Jones, received the first salute ever paid the American flag by for. ign naval vessels.
The flag remained unchanged for about eighteen years after its a loption. By this time two more states, Vermont and Kentucky, had been a Imitted to the union, and on January 13. 1794 congress enacted that from and after the first day of May, 1795, the flag of the states be fifteen stripes, alternite red and white, and that the union be fifteen stars, white in a blue field.
This flag was the national banner from 1795 to ISIS, during which time occurred the war of 1Siz with Great Britain. By 1818 five alditiona! states Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana and Mississippi had been admitted to the union and a further change in the flig seemed necessary. After considerable discussion in congress on the subject, the act of April 4, 1St8 was passed, which provided: First, that from and after the 4th day of July next, the United States flag be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white, and that the union have twenty stars, white in a blue field.
Second, that on the admission of every new state into the union one star be added to the union of the flag, and that such addition shall take effect on the 4th day of July next succeeding such admission.
The return to the thirteen stripes of the flig of 1777 was due in a measure to reverence for the standard of the revolution; but it was also due to the fact that the further increase of the number of stripes would have made the width of the flag out of proportion to its length,
No act has since been passed by congress altering this feature of the flag, and it is the same as originally adopted except as to the number of stars in its
ИЗИЮНЯ НТИ
7THOM
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SIXTH REUNION
union. During the war with Mexico the national flag bore twenty-nine stars in its union.
During the late civil war, my comrades, the flag you bravely carried through the din and smoke of battle -- over mountains, through valleys and rivers and the almost impenetrable swamps, bore in its field of blue thirty-five stars. This is the flag, comrades, made doubly dear to us, baptised as it is in the blood of husbands, lovers, sons and brothers. Do you remember how your hearts thrilled with rapture when our lines were being sorely pressed, to see from over the crest of some hill or from out of the shade of some forest, regi- ment after regiment, brigade after brigade emerge, each bearing proudly the glorious stars and stripes, rushing forward to take the places of the weary and exhausted troops?
Do you remember the beautiful and inspiring scene which burst upon our vision on the morning of September 19, 1863, as our brigade emerged from the dense growth of underbrush into the open fields of Chickamauga? It may be virtually said, we had spent the night of the eighteenth in the embrace of Longstreet's corps. In the morning as we were being extricated from our perilous position and had stepped out into the open field, there burst apou our bewildered senses this glorious spectacle, As far to the right, as far to the left as the nature of the ground would permit the scope of vision, there stood line upon line of unwavering blue, each bearing aloft the glittering folds of the dearly loved stars and stripes. Alas, how many brave hearts and stalwart hands who so firmly and defiantly clasped the flag they had sworn to protect, on that beautiful September morn, at night are cold and rigid and other devoted comrades are bearing the flag they fell beneath on the banks of the now appropriately natned "River of Blood."
"Put out the lights. He will need them never more: His work is done, his feet have gained The fairer. purer shore."
At Perrysville, our first baptistn, your flag proudly wave ! in the fore front of that bloody field, and proudly you stayed by it through that critical day.
This is the flag that scaled the frowning heights of Lookout mountain, and finally through mists of cloud and smoke, waved in triumph from its summit.
This is the flag you bore over the cruel and pitiless slopes of Kenesaw, through that scorching, secthing flame of death, even on to the enemies works where fell its intrepid and heroic bearer.
This is the flag that with you went over and into the last line of the enemy at Jonesboro.
This is the flag that you with that blind and unwavering faith born of devotion, followed from Atlanta to the sea.
"Your's not to ask the reason why; Your's but to do and die."
This is the flag that on the 24th day of May, 1865, you bore with the fault- elss steps of the disciplined and well tried soldier, through the vistas of Pennsylvania avenue; viewed as you were, not only by the highest officials
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
both civic and military, but under the eager and transfixed gaze of the count- less thousands of a grateful people.
But, miy comrades, better than all this comes the pleasing thought that shall accompany you down to the portals of the tomb, that in years to come when you shall have swelled the ranks of the invisible hosts who keep step to the seraphic music on the golden shore, your posterity can point with proud and swelling hearts to these bright lines of history which shall remain unfading as the ethereal blue of heaven's dome, that you returned that flag from the home from which you took it unsullied and untarnished-shattered by the merciless storms of a score of battles, but with honor, bright and glorious as the rays of the noonday sun. "Tis past. More than a quarter of a century has been recorded in the cycles of time since these things were. A new genera- tion now hold the boards on the stage of action.
Thousands upon thousands of the youth and vigor of our fair northland who went forth with you have now passed to the silent majority. You are in the eventide of life; your hairs are silvered, your eyes are dimined, your steps are weary and your veins are sluggish, you are nearing the river, the plash of the oars of the grim ferryman may be almost heard. Yet how oft in twilight's hour when resting from the labors of the day, there steals o'er you some fond memory of the days that were, and you feel within you a conscious pride that you once bared your breast for the honor of the flag; that you were once a par- ticipant in that great national drama, the stupendous magnitude of which stands without a parallel on the annals of the world's history. Your flag of today bears upon its union forty-four stars, revered and respected by every nation on the face of the globe as the emblem of the free, thie chivalrous and the brave; hailed with delight by every loyal American and with the deepest veneration by those who battled for its supremacy.
Having now occupied more of your time than is perhaps your pleasure and thanking you for your patient attention, I will only say to you soldier fathers, to you loyal, self-sacrificing and heroic mothers, let the prayer of your hearts be that your children and children's children may be exalted to yet higher plains of devotion and intelligence in the administration of the nation's affairs, and achieve still greater possibilities in the advancement of our beloved insti- tutions, under the guidance and leadership of He who holds in His hands the destinies of nations, and under the patriotic and ennobling inspiration of one flag.
Comrade Henderson's speech was followed by a regular camp fire, in which a great many comrades made little talks on diverse subjects, in some cases becoming very personal and reminding each other of some of their short- comings, and peculiar conduct in the long time ago.
Comrade Ewing and daughters, with Miss Sliester at the piano, sang from time to time, as did also the Washington quartette. Comrade John McGinnis sang a solo.
Thus the evening passed away rapidly and very pleasantly till time to adjourn.
TA HTX12 YTROIS
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SIXTH REUNION
Second Day.
Eight o'clock A. M., found the comrades assembled with a large number of friends, fife playing, drums beating and flag waving-all in readiness for a street car ride. The morning was beautiful and bright, the cars new, the line newly equipped with the most modern electric appliances, and the ride of about nine miles was magnificent.
After the car ride, the assemblage was called to order in the auditorium, and Chaplain Wilson offered prayer. This was followed by singing and music.
The Daughter of the Regiment delivered a comic recitation that induced roars of laughter.
According to the programme, the Annual Address should have been delivered at this time, by Comrade L. L. Lehman, but a telegram from him was read, stating that he was in Denver, Col. To occupy the time alloted to the orator of the day, a number of comrades made short, spicy speeches.
The following resolution was introduced and unanimously adopted: .
Resolved. That the thanks of this Regiment be tendered to Capt. John H. Hall for the splendid entertainment given us this morning; hoping he may be as successful in the future as in the past in his splendid railway service.
A vote of thanks was also tendered the Washington quartette. This organization of Washington, Ill., and known as the Washington Male Quartette, consists of F. D. Kyes, H. L. Zinser, A. E. Merchart, A. H. Heiple, with Mrs. Bessie Gish as organist. They were a very interesting factor in our reunion. Comrade Ewing's daughters, Ola, Birty, and Maggie and Miss Nora Clough with Miss Florence Sliester as pianist, also assisted in supplying music and singing.
The committee on death roll and obituary resolutions, handed in the follow- ing report.
Commander and Comrades :- Your committee report the following as having died during the past year;
Death Roll.
D. R. Perrine, Co. A. Joel Kimsey, Co. D.
John Bell. Co. C. James C. Hall, Co. E.
We recommend the adoption of the following:
WHEREAS, These comrades have been called by the Supreme Commander, during the past year, to join our comrades gone before, and realizing that, as the years to come will soon diminish our ranks, therefore be it
Resolved, That the surviving members of the S6th Ill., in reunion assem- bled, teuder our heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of these com- rades in their sad loss, treasuring their memory in our hearts as we journey on. fully expecting to meet them in the grand reunion above-yet parting with them in sadness.
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EIGHTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
Resolved :- That these resolutions be recorded in our proceedings, and copies sent to the families of the deceased.
A. L. FAHNESTOCK S. L. ZINSER E. C. SILLIMAN
Committee.
Pending the motion to adopt these resolutions a large number of comrades spoke in eulogy of the departed. Some of the remerks were very touching indeed; showing that fond memories and associations of the long-a-goes are not forgotten. Lieut. Silliman spoke as follows, after which the resolutions and recommendations of the committee were unanimously adopted:
bieut. Silliman's Address.
As first sergeant of company "C" I have called the roll in camp on the battlefield when the company was full and after its ranks were thinued by disease and death. Were I to call this roll today, Captain Thomas, afterward Major, Capt. McDonald and Lieut. Batchelder would not answer, yot all these officers returned after three years' service. After Kenesaw Sirlott, Easton, Clark, Shand, Prentis, and Jack Rutherford did not answer, and were marked eternally mustered out by order of the Grand Commander. Of those who came home, were I to call the foll today, Edson, Turner, J. B. Selders, James H. Atkins. W. J Beebe. D. C. Carver, Henry Clauson, Michael Donivan, Wm. I). Easton, James Robertson, John Thomas, and John Bell would fail to auswer, here! and if the command to "right dress" were given eleven men would fail to fill their places, and as we closed up old company "C" without an officer who Was mustered out with her, would close up the vacant space, and at right face three files would be vacant, and the colors would move several paces nearer the front. And as it is announced today that John Bell has drop- ped out of the ranks. I feel that as each comrade falls, we should add our simple tribute to their memory. We are not compelled today to roll them in their blanket, consign them to a soldiers' grave, mark their graves with the lid of a cracker box properly lettered, to be in atter years gathered into a soldiers' cemetery. But, like John Bell, perhaps after suffering two years and being ministered to by a faithful wife, kind friends have followed them to the grave and given them all the honors that are their due. And as each memo.ial day comes around friends may keep their tiny mound draped in flowers, while those left on the field are neglected or left to the hands of strangers. John Bell was a faithful, honest man, he was captured and after only twenty days in Andersonville, on his return could hardly walk steadily, hfs eyes were glazed and his brain dimmed by starvation and inistreatment. I remember that day when he returned well. Since the war he has lived mainly in Iowa, and has never met with us, but his wife writes me that "As she read the pro- ceedings of the old 86th to him, tears came to his eyes" the same comradeship that we all feel for each other was strong to John Bell even when he was reaching out toward the other shore. To those he leaves to mourn we send our sympathies and as we place the names of comrades, one by one, on the list of those who shall never again answer "roll call" and close up the rank
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