USA > Indiana > Reunion of the 9th regiment Indiana vet. vol. infantry association, 1892-1904 > Part 38
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the other fellow belonged either to Company C or E, and would just like to know who it was and what became of him- At this point John Smith, of Mott- ville, Michigan, a Company C soldier rose up and said : "Captain, I was the other fellow." While the audience laughed and cheered at the denouement, the two rail carriers later met and shook hands and compared notes.
Captain Marshall in conclusion said the boys of the Ninth were pretty good soldiers as a matter of fact, and not slow at "foraging" when they were in the kind of country that would bear "living off of." And he had often wondered if they still had that uncontrollable "hankering after pie." He had been informed that the last official act of Quartermaster Kelley was in settling up a claim for confiscated pies, a Reb had filed against the government, for pies alleged to have been seized by the Ninth Indiana, and he would like to hear from Kelley on the subject.
Quartermaster KELLEY said: This is the first I have ever heard of the "pie story, "therefore I will have to pass it by. I am very glad to be with you in this reunion. The speaker spoke very complimentary of the regiment, and its generally good record, and the good record made by the men since their return to their homes. Saying, "While I am proud that my lot was cast with such a fine lot of young men and splendid soldiers as we had in the Ninth, I am prouder that I was a union soldier, and did what I could toward saving to posterity this grand government of ours. It is but natural that we should speak first of our own regiment, butwe are all equally proud of other Indiana regiments, and in fact of every man who with credit to himself and the cause for which we fought, wore the blue uniform of his country. From my experience with the boys as quartermaster, I think it altogether likely the boys still like good victuals, pie included. As we are enjoying the good food that is so bountifully provided at these reunions, our minds go back to the days when we had short rations, and poor rations. But the soldier as a rule was not a grumbler, but was inclined to look on the sunny side and usually they were a jolly,
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cherry lot of young men. I will try to recite for you the "Old Coffee Kettle," which runs like this :
The Old Coffee Kettle That Hung on the Pole.
How dear to our hearts are the day when we soldiered, As fond recollection presents them to view, The long line of trenches, the deep tangled thickets, And ev'ry rough spot our soldier life knew, The parks of artillery, the harness, the saddles, The picket roped horses oft trying to roll ,
The cook tent, the guard house, the muskets stacked nigh it,
And the old coffee kettle that hung on the pole.
Chorus . The sheet iron kettle, the smutty old kettle, The old coffee kettle that hung on the pole.
How dear to our hearts are the forms and the faces Of those who stood with us in those trying times, But so many have gone from the ranks and their places, That it mightily shortens the original line. Hard marching, and fighting, we all well remember, And everything trying to body and soul, But one thing we had which gave genuine pleasure,
T'was the old coffee kettle that hung on the pole.
Chorus.
Thirteen dollars a month for standing as targets, For heaps of cold lead, and iron, and steel,
But they say that we are better for what we endured then, But we can't make a point on Clay Evans's Deal, We ate our salt horse in all kinds of weather, Some rations we drew, some others we stole, But one thing old chums we will always remember, The old coffee kettle, that hung on the pole.
Chorus.
Now some of our comrades are feeble old cripples, Their heads are growing gray with fast fleet of time, But while in this world our muster roll shortens, We know it grows longer in a happier clime. Soon all of us comrades must pass over Jordan, And leave what we have for a Ferryman's Toll, But not until then will we ever surrender,
The old coffee kettle that hung on the pole
Chorus.
Capt. James R. McCormick, of Company B, was next called for, but excused himself on the plea that he was no speaker.
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Secretary Whitehall was called for, and stated the hour was late, and he would only say he was highly gratified at meeting so many of the old comrades of the regiment, and noted with pleasure the presence of quite a number who were participants in the meeting of 1884, when the veteran organization was perfected, with General Milroy as its first president.
Gen. Suman said that as the hour was somewhat late, it was best that the camp-fire be closed.
Taps was sounded by Bugler Avery Brown, and the Camp-fire of 1903 declared closed.
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FORENOON OF SECOND DAY.
Association called to order by Major James D. Braden, who, at request of Gen. Suman, assumed the chair temporarily.
Selection of place of next meeting being in order -- Lieut. John Banta placed in nomination the City of Logansport, and there being no further nominations the vote was unanimous for Logansport. Secretary Whitehall explained that while he continued in the employ of Cook County, Illinois, it would, from the nature of his work, be impossible for him to get to reunions, except upon Friday and Saturday, and hence, at his request, the meeting of this year was changed to Friday and Saturday by the executive committee, in order that he might be present, and that in all probability he would hold his present position another year.
On motion, date of next meeting was fixed for the first Friday and Saturday of October, 1904.
On motion of Capt. Madden, unanimously carried, the Recording Secretary was instructed to cast the ballot of the association for the present incumbents, Gen. I. C. B. Suman, President, Alex. L. Whitehall, Corresponding Sec., Lieut. J. M. Helmick, Recording Sec., and Lieut. John Banta, Treasurer, respectively. Which ballot was accordingly cast and said officers de- clared elected for the ensuing year.
The following comrades were respectively announced by their companies for Vice Presidents, viz. :
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Co. A-Asbury S. McCormick. . . . La Fayette, Ind.
Co. B-Capt. James R. McCormick Huron, Ohio Co. C- Sergt. Abraham Dils. Elkhart, Ind.
Co. D-Charles L. Andrews. Plymouth, יו
Co. E-J. P. Baldwin. Leroy
Co. F-Capt. Wm. H. Merritt Elkhart,
Co. G-Lieut. Ben R. Faris.
Medaryville,
Co. H -- Sergt. John Morrow Hebron,
Co. I-J. N. Holliday. Mishawaka
Co. K-Sergt. Sam Landis.
Logansport,
Band -- John Jackson. Delphi,
The following comrades were chosen as Executive Committee for the ensuing year: General I. C. B. Su- man, Capt. D. B. McConnell, Capt. George K. Mar_ shall, Lieut. John Banta and Alpheus Porter.
The Committee on Resolutions submitted the fol- lowing report :
"Your Committee on Resolutions beg leave to sub- mit the following report :
Resolved, that the thanks of the Veteran Associa- tion of the Ninth Regiment of Indiana Infantry are hereby extended to Elkhart Court, No. 72, Tribe of Ben Hur, who generously yielded the use of Shiloh Post Hall, on their regular meeting night that the Ninth Indiana might hold its campfire in said hall.
To Mrs. Milton Nash for her rendition of a most ap- propriate solo. And to Miss Bonita Slear for singing so sweetly for the old veterans, the fitting solo, 'Guard the Flag.'
To the Indiana Railway Company for the generous courtesy extended by its Vice President and General Manager in the tender of free transportation over all its local lines, during the regimental reunion to all veterans of the Ninth Indiana and members of their families wearing the reunion badge of this Veteran Association.
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To City Treasurer Ed. Campbell for the loan, during the reunion, of a prized relic in the shape of the mili- tary desk used by our loved and lamented Major George H. Carter, during his service in the Ninth Regiment.
To the patriotic and open-hearted citizens of Elk- hart for the generous contributions made by them, for the use of our Executive Committee in prepara- tion for this reunion, and for the very hospitable and gracious manner in which our comrades and members of their families accompanying them were entertained in the homes of Elkhart people, and we beg to assure the kindly citizens of Elkhart and the resident com- rades of our Company C and veterans of other regi- ments that their very marked attention to the visiting comrades of the Ninth is keenly appreciated by our association. And further assure our Elkhart friends that this reunion will ever be cherished by us as a very pleasant memory.
Respectfully submitted. B. A. DUNN, Capt. GEo. K. MARSHALL, S. I. KESSLER, Committee."
Said report of the Committee on Resolutions was adopted unanimously by a rising vote.
Lieut. J. M. Helmick, as chairman of the committee on the Milroy Memorial, submitted the following report, that is to say :
"The committee on marking the Milroy Homestead at Rensselaer, Ind., are pleased to report that after duly submitting the matter to the good people of Rensselaer and also to the city. That after some delay the ladies of the city took up the matter and raised one-half the money. The city appropriating the other half, and the old homestead of our grand old colonel is now the property of Rensselaer, and is known as the Milroy Park. Owing to the many improvements that the City
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of Rensselaer is engaged in, they will not be able to improve the park at once, but your committee feel grateful to the good people of Rensselaer for securing this place as a park, and suggest that the thanks of the association be tendered the city and the ladies of Rensselaer and friends for this mark of respect to the noble old war hero Gen. Milroy.
J. M. HELMICK, Chairman of Committee."
The report was unanimously approved and the fol- lowing resolution adopted by acclamation. Resolved that The Ninth Indiana Regiment Veteran Infantry Association in reunion assembled does hereby tender to the City of Rensselaer and its citizens generally, and particularly to the noble and loyal women who labored so zealously to asccomplish a generous and patriotie purpose, our heartfelt thanks for securing the late homestead of Gen. R. H. Milroy, our brave and loved first commander for the purpose of per- petuating the name of their distinguished fellow towns- man and a gallant union general, by improving the grounds for a publie park to be known as Milroy Park. Capt. Madden moved that a committee of three to be named by this association be empowered to confer with the persons having in charge the improve- ment of Milroy Park at Rensselaer, and to design and recommend to them an appropriate tablet of bronze or other enduring material, with proper inscription to mark the home of our distinguished first colonel, the late Gen. R. H. Milroy. Motion carried and the association chose as such committee Capt. Dyer B. McConnell, Lieut. J. M. Helmiek and Lieut. Benjamin R. Faris, with full power to act for the regiment in the premises.
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Secretary Whitehall requested each company to sug- gest any corrections or additions to the roster of Ninth survivors and for a report of deaths not already reported.
He also called attention to the display of the photo- graphic collection of pictures of members of the regi- ment, arranged by him and now hanging on the walls of the reunion hall. And stated that many comrades and friends of the regiment had spoken commenda- tory of the effort to preserve and enlarge this collection for display at future reunions. And if no objection was made by the comrades he would like to have a collection taken up at the dinner a little later on. The regiment shouted out "consent" and comrades Val Marks and A. Dils, were delegated to take up the collection. Comrade David Herrold and others spoke in commendation of the effort of the secretary to preserve and enlarge this collection of both the war time and the present time pictures of the soldiers of the regiment and heartily joined him in his request that comrades having possession of pictures of dead comrades or being in a position to procure such pictures of the friends of the dead soldier, secure such pictures and donate them to the regimental collection in the hands of the secretary.
Comrade Wm. H. Rifenburg, stated that pursuant to a former resolution a chaplain ought to be appointed by the president. Whereupon the president detailed Comrade Rifenburg chaplain for the ensuing year.
Moved by Comrade Rifenburg and carried that the closing half hour of our meetings hereafter be set aside for a memorial service for comrades who have died during the year.
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The president on behalf of the association thanked the citizens and resident comrades for their efforts in behalf of the Ninth, and expressed satisfaction that the meeting now about to elose had been so pleasant, and he hoped to meet, all present, and many others next year at Logansport.
Major Braden requested the comrades and their wives to form in two ranks on the sidewalk in front of the hall and march to dinner on adjournment of this meeting.
On motion of Capt. Merritt the association adjourned sine die.
The sumptuous dinner provided by the committee of arrangements, and served by the ladies of the Women's Relief Corps in the spacious hall and ban- quet room of Shiloh Field Post Hall, was simply superb, and most heartily enjoyed by the comrades who showed no aversion whatever to pie.
The collection taken up by comrades Marks and Dils to aid in procuring and mounting on appropriate cards the photographs for the regimental collection amounted to $13.85 and was turned over by Marks to the secretary.
Many comrades lingered to visit in Elkhart a por- tion of the afternoon, and under the guidance of resi- dent comrades and friends many car-parties were made up and trips made over the street railway lines of the Indiana Railway Company which had generously and courteously invited the regiment to use its local lines free during the two days reunion.
Those in attendance at the reunion as shown by the register were as follows:
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FROM ELKHART-Capt. W. H. Merritt, J. B. Drake, V. L. Marx and wife, F. S. Carlton, H. Beck, A. Vesper, J. H. Stanley, J. L. Daley, Maj. J. D. Braden, Sam- uel Whittig, Peter Dyer, R. Stutsman, Charles Soles, H. L. Shupert, W. F. Shaffer, John Nolan, Abraham Dils, J. C. Koehler, Mrs. Minzey, Mrs. P. P. Abel, Mr. and Mrs. M. Nash.
SYRACUSE --- B. F. Hentzell and son, Michael Nicoali. NORTH MADISON, OHIO --- N. V. Brower.
GOSHEN-W. A. Markel.
MISHAWAKA-John Holliday, E. O. Newman, Wil- liam Bonney, H. O. Kremer, E. V. Bingham.
CASSELTON, IND .- J. F. Huber.
SHARPSVILLE, IND .- Edmund Smith.
HURON, OHIO-Capt. James R. McCormick.
WALKERTON, IND .- Sergt. L. D. Van Wrinkle, wife and daughter, Silas Baker.
MICHIGAN CITY-James Gordon.
CHICAGO-Alex. L. Whitehall and wife.
PLYMOUTH-George Dawson, C. L. Andrews, John G. Leonard.
NEW CARLISLE-W. A. Curtis and wife, Mrs. Mar- garet Spicer, William H. Carr, William Brummit.
GRANDEE, MICH-Jackson Barnes, wife and grand- son.
FORT MADISON, IOWA -- Frank W. Childs.
WAUKEGAN, ILL .- B. A. Dunn.
TOLEDO, O .- Sam Dustan.
MOTTVILLE, MICH .- John Smith.
BRISTOL-George P. Bellows and wife, A. G. Mann- ing and wife, D. R. Stutsman.
NEWAGO, MICH .- Erwin C. Fox.
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CONSTANTINE -- Albert Salisbury.
SOUTH BEND-Lovina Blowney, Edward P. Chapin. WESTVILLE-David Herrold.
NAPPANEE-Catherine Crampton, Mrs. Neeley.
LOGANSPORT-G. K. Marshall, George Friend, John Banta, J. M. Barron, Alpheus Porter, Samuel Landis.
NEW YORK CITY-John Lundy.
KANKAKEE, ILL .--- S. L. Swinney and daughter.
WVAKARUSA-Silas Roose and wife, John T. Hulder- man and daughter, Jerome Martin and wife.
HOBART-W. H. Rifenburg.
LAPORTE-S. I. Kessler, Ed. Ephlin.
DELPHI-John W. Jackson, Del Crampton.
LUCERNE-William Laughlin.
WARSAW-J. D. Goddard and wife.
IDAVILLE-Everett Caywood.
HEBRON-J. Morrow and wife.
LAKE COUNTY-O. B. Servis, wife and daughter. UPLAND-James Peele.
WHEATFIELD-J. M. Helmick and wife.
INDIANAPOLIS-Capt. Madden.
CULVER-George Peoples.
ARGOS-J. R. Moore, M. E. Richards. OBER-W. Kelley. BOURBON-Jones Grant and wife. LEROY-James McKnight, J. P. Baldwin. VALPARISO-Col. I. C. B. Suman, J. W. Zea. Del. Crampton was registered as being of the Forty- eighth, "but temporarily of Co. C, Ninth Indiana." ADDITIONS TO ROSTER OF SURVIVORS. Co. B-E. A. Sutton, Siloam Springs, Ark. " " _- \V. T. Sutton, Beaumont, Kansas,
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Co. B-David Herrold, Westville, Ind.
Co. C-B. F. Brown, Morley, Mecosta Co., Mich.
" "-Irwin C. Fox, Newaygo, Mich.
" "-John Smith, Mottville, Mich.
Co. F-Wm. A. Curtis, New Carlisle, Ind.
Co. I-Lieut. S. N. Pettit, No. 1251 67th St., Chicago, Il1.
CORRECTIONS TO ROSTER OF SURVIVORS.
Quartermaster W. Kelley, Culver, Ind.
Co. C-Wm. Speese, Jones, Mich.
-F. S. Carleton, Elkhart, Ind.
John Nolan, Elkhart, Ind.
David R. Stutsman, Bristol, Ind.
66 -Peter Dyer, Elkhart, Ind.
Co. E-Georges Babbitt, No. 11 Smart St., Chicago, Il1.
Co. F-Charles Soles, Elkhart, Ind.
Co. K-W. E. Harrington, 1435 B, Mission St., San Francisco, Cal.
Co. H-J. K. Powers, Supt. National Cemetery, Brownsville, Texas.
DEATHS SINCE LAST REUNION.
Co. E-Admiral R. Castle, died at Hobart, Ind., July 4, 1903.
Co. H and E-Thomas J. Robinson, died at Hebron, Ind., Oct. 30, 1903.
Co. E-3 mos. service, afterwards Corpl. in 30th Ind. died at Logan, Ind., January 18th, 1903.
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IN MEMORIAM.
ADMIRAL R. CASTLE.
Born in Wyandotte County, Ohio, in 1842. When about one year old removed with his parents to Elk- hart, Ind. Was engaged in farming near Hobart, Ind., when he enlisted. Mustered in to Company E of the Ninth Indiana Infantry September 5th, 1861, and honorably discharged as a corporal with other non- veterans of his regiment September 5th, 1864. Return- ed to Hobart and re-enlisted November 11, 1864, as a substitute for his step-father, and served till the close of the war in the 17th Regiment, Indiana Mounted Infantry.
Married Miss Mavorite Harper December 8, 1868, his wife and one daughter, Mrs. Dea Ostrander survive him. Until the last few years of his life Comrade Castle was an active and successful farmer near Hobart, Ind., until he moved into that city. He was at the time of his death assessor of his township, and enjoyed to a high degree the confidence of his fellow citizens. He died at his home in Hobart July 4th, 1903, and was buried in the Hobart cemetery. Comrade Castle was a gallant, faithful soldier and a thoroughly patriotic and worthy citizen.
THOMAS J. ROBINSON
Enlisted first in Company H in three months service, in the Ninth Indiana, and re-enlisted in Company E of the same regiment in the three year organization, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.
He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September 30, 1833, and died at Hebron Indiana, October 30, 1903, aged seventy years and thirty days. Comrade Robin- son was a good soldier, and for many years a member
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of the Veteran Association of his regiment, and was also an active member of Walter's Post, No. 229, Dept. of Ind. G. A. R. And his remains were laid to rest by his comrades of Walters Post in accordance with the beautiful and impressive ritualistic ceremony of the Grand Army of the Republic, in the cemetery near Hebron. With the arching skies of his beloved land bending over him may he rest in peace.
JOHN W. TRUITT
Of Company E in the three months service of the Ninth Indiana, afterwards enlisted in the Thirtieth Indiana and was honorably discharged therefrom as a Corporal, died at his home near Logan, Ind., January 18, 1903. Aged 66 years. Comrade Truitt was a great sufferer for many years from paralysis, but with soldier-like and christian fortitude bore his suffering uncomplainingly.
GREETINGS FROM ABSENT COMRADES.
Extracts from letters as follows:
From Geo. N. Kingsbury, late Sergt. Company E, now Probate Judge of Norton County, Kansas. "As it will be impossible for me to be with you at Elkhart, I send my photo. Give my love to all the comrades of the old 9th. All I can say is, God bless them all."
Capt. D. B. McConnell to Major Braden, reports that a sudden and serious sickness of himself would prevent his responding to the address of welcome, concludes with these words. " I am much disappoint- ed, at not being able to meet you and the other mem- bers of the Ninth. None other than my immediate family are so dear to me. Don't allow the association to forget the meeting in 1904, the next meeting is to be at Logansport. And we expect to make it the reunion of the Regiment. Please give my love to the old men, one and all, with assurances of my deep regret and disappointment that I cannot be with them this time."
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From Sergt. Wm. H. Lintz, Company E. of the Cottonwood, California :
"I am in receipt of your kind invitation to attend the 17th annual reunion of the 9th Ind. Vet. Inf. Assn. to be held at Elkhart, Ind. I should love very much to be present and greet all the old comrades once more, but circumstances will not permit it. I send my dues."
A. G. Dilley, Company H Rome, N. Y .:
"Dear Comrade, it will be impossible for me to attend the reunion, but will send a picture taken four years ago. I enclose dues."
From Zeph Walker of Company E, Chestnut, Ills. . "Dear Comrade: I cannot be with you this time. Give one and all my best wishes. I have just come home from Chattanooga. I was all over the Chicamauga ground and saw all the Ninth markers. The park is fine. I was on the field three days, and also one day on Mission Ridge."
From Sergt. Caleb Baldwin, Company D, Siloam Springs, Ark. : "I would like so much to have been with the old " boys in gray" - hair and whiskers and "specs" on, I certainly would enjoy it, our gatherings will soon be numbered but I trust we will all join the army above, where there is a perpetual reunion and a perpetual victory. Success attend you, and all the comrades."
E. A. Sutton, Company B, Siloam Springs, Ark .: "To the 9th Ind. Assn. as I can't be able to meet with you I will write. I often think of the old Ninth and especially of Company B, of which I was a member. There will probably be some of Company B at Elkhart, I would like to be remembered to them."
Lieut. Ben. R. Faris, Company G, Medaryville, Ind. "My dear old comrade: Here I am as near as I can be with you at the re-union of the dear old 9th. How I would like to be with the comrades once more, but circumstances and conditions are such, that I cannot leave home, even for this much coveted opportunity of seeing and being with you. My old father who lives
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with me, is just getting up from a six weeks spell of sickness and I cannot leave him for one day even. I will send some dues, and a photo which was taken just after returning from veteran furlough. I think com- rade W., that we owe you a great deal for the time and trouble you have taken, and been to, in keeping the old Ninth in touch, and may you feel some consolation if some of us hold you in esteem as the vital force in keeping these annual reunions alive for all the years past and gone. I don't know comrade how some of us can ever repay you for it. Will you kindly remember me to the old comrades to whom I send greeting, wishing you all a happy, pleasant and joyous re- union."
From W. C. George, Co. D, 1430 West 7th street, Muncie, Ind. "Sorry I can't be with you this time, but hope to be with with you at the next reunion. Would be glad to hear from some of the old "boys.".
James Sherwood, Co. E, Concordia, Kan. "Sorry to say I can't attend on account of poor health. Tell the old comrades to write up some of their experiences and send to the National Tribune; I would like to hear from them."
Sergt. Sam J. Morris, Co. C, Hutchinson, Kans. Sends photo and writes, he had hoped to be able to attend reunion but pressure of business forbade. Had State Fair that week in his town. "I have enjoyed splendid health for the last eighteen months, best in thirty years, for which I have reason to be very thankful-I know you had a good time at Elkhart, and I sincerely regret my inability to be with you; but shall look for the report as the next best thing."
From Lieut. Ambrose G. Birce, Co. C, New York American office, Washington, D. C., November 2, 1903. "I have lost touch with you somehow . if the Veteran Association of the Ninth Indiana has had any reunions since the one of 1900 (the Fourteenth) I should like to obtain the reports I have (through your courtesy) all the others excepting the thirteenth. If you are able to let me have them I will remit any price you
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set upon them, and in further return, send you some- thing which I think you will care to read to the Associa- tion at its next meeting. I have just returned from a trip through the Alleghanies in W. Va., during which I visited all the old camps and battlefields of the Ninth (except Carrick's Ford), all the forts that the regiment built, and those that it tried to take. I visited the National Cemetery at Grafton where its dead lie, and copied the records relating to them. All this and more I shall be pleased to relate to the surviving com- rades if you think it would interest them. I think so. I am having some of the imperfect records of the National Cemetery at Grafton, corrected at the War Department here, and if the comrades can suggest other corrections (when I submit my transcription to the Association) I shall be pleased to have those made also. Please let me hear from you."
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