USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > West Chester > Reunion of the Ninety-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, October 29th, 1884 at Camp Wayne, West Chester, Pa. An account of the proceedings with a roster of the comrades present > Part 4
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" Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates and men decay."
The evils sometimes betrayed in political administration, the corruption which the tumultuous heaving of popular elections sometimes throws to the surface, are but the hectic flush on the cheek of the body politic which betrays the existence of the subtle poison of moral decay, consuming its life. We are without hope of preserving the lofty character which the splendor of our history has won for ns unless we can keep upright the hearts of our people and pure the homes of the land, thereby maintaining a perennial supply of high-minded men who, like our martyred Lincoln, can be states- men without craftiness, and politicians without intrigue, who can subject their political conduct to the restraints of moral principle, and subordinate their private interests to their public duties ; whose chastity of honor and sensibility of principle make them feel the sense of delinquency or the stain of dishonor as a wound, and who, like the virtuous Andrew Fletcher, would give their lives to serve their country, but would not do a base thing to save it.
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The people are the source of authority, the fountain of power. the keepers of the Republic's jewels. Whatever measure of virtue, self-restraint, patriotism and honor shall exalt them, in that same measure will their collective action feel the uplifting touch. As they shall think, and feel, and act, so shall be formed and directed the mightiest engine of power the world has ever known, whose mandates kings and potentates obey, and at whose touch govern- ments are dismantled and dynasties dissolved, the sovereign of all earthly powers-public sentiment-an exalted assemblage, it has i ren said, which without visible session, ever legislates, and without atmy or navy, marshal or constable, ever executes its decrees. Remove the atmosphere from the earth, said a philosopher, and all the water would fly into vapor. Public sentiment is the atmosphere of society, without which our institutions would fly into chaos ; and unless that atmosphere is pure and wholesome the body politic can- not be healthy. The vicious sentiments and depraved morals of the individual diffuse themselves and impair the tone of the social and political atmosphere, as the polluted breath of the sot taints the air around him. This all-encasing air, the very breath of life to our political existence, must be kept from pollution if we hope to preserve our free institutions from decay and ultimate dissolution.
A nation of fifty millions cannot be saved by the virtuous rem- nant, but the infirmities of the majority must be healed. Moral health must inhabit, and political soundness invigorate the whole body : for Matthew Arnold is right, as Plato and the prophets were right before hun. that where the majority are bad, the minority cannot lead to the promised land, but the supremacy of the true, the just, the pure and elevated will as certainly redeem and save the nation, as the do- minion of their opposites, by an inexorable fatality, will destroy it.
That which righteousness exalts, sin destroys. What virtue, honor, loyalty and loving duty adorn and strengthen, vice, neglect, intrigue and profligacy enfeeble and despoil. Indifference, selfish- ness, Venality and every insidious device to obstruct the sovereign will are as fatal as the breath of the sirocco to the fair gardens of our pointical heritage. The few can carry wrong results, promote vicious Sicies, advance dangerous principles and elevate corrupt men, only when the many sleep upon their rights. Demagogues are powerless to harm when the people are vigilant to save. But if the voters give themselves up to indolent indifference to the results of the primary organization of political power, and suffer the collective action to be moulded and declared by the least qualified in intelligence, principle
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and probity ; if they are content to abandon the sources of political action to the venal, the stupid and the servile, it becomes as certain as the fiat of omnipotence that the country will express and obey the baser will, the supremacy of patriotism and public reason be over- thrown, while faction, ambition, selfishness and corruption will sit regnant in the seat of power.
Hence it is, to be false to the cardinal virtues which enter into the structure of a man, adorning and strengthening his character ; a conscious rectitude which inspires him with self-respect and gives him the courage, consequence and stateliness born of self-regard ; an intelligence and patriotism, which qualify him to judge, stimulate his exertions, and hold him in steadfast loyalty to his country's needs ; and an independence which enables him to stand four square to all the winds that blow ; to be recreant to these conspicuous attributes of a good citizen is disloyalty to the memory of our martyred com- rades and treason to the Republic. Shall it be in vain, then, that we plead for the elevation of the citizen-for a vigorous and virtuous manhood-for high-minded and true-hearted men who alone can save this country from a disappointed hope and a blighted destiny ? The glory of the Republic is her manhood, and when that becomes debased, the sand in the hour-glass of her history will begin to run. And I desire to add, my comrades, that if the time shall come when the Republic. which we devoutly pray the God of nations may pre- serve to be the Union soldiers' temple of fame, falls a victim to maladies engendered in the bosom of our political system, when corruption shall have eaten away the cable that hokls us to the moorings of vir- tue; " when the nation shall totter to its fall, its glory extinct, the banner of its pride trampled in the dust, its nationality and grandeur a moral of history," when the unfriendly prophecy of a hundred years ago shall be fulfilled, and a few lean and half naked fishermen are dividing with owls and foxes the ruins of our great cities, wash- ing their nets amid the relics of our gigantic docks and building their huts out of the capitals of our stately edifices, let not this work of ruin be traced to those who wore the Union blue. We are a conse- crated band. It was at the battle of Chickamauga, just after a vig- orous assault of the enemy had been gallantly repulsed at the point of the bayonet that the great- hearted commander, George H. Thomas, took the hand of a private soldier and thanked him for his cour- age. The soldier stood silent a moment, and then said with emo- tion : "George H. Thomas has taken this hand in his; I'll knock down any mean man that offers to take it hereafter." He felt that
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something had consecrated his hand, making it too sacred for vulgar touch. Comrades, something has consecrated every surviving soldier of the Union. No man that drew a sword or carried a musket in that holy war, or bore our battle-stained banner on any one of the glo- rious fields on which the Union arms won imperishable renown, but is solemnly dedicated to the service of patriotism, honor, loyalty and virtue, to the end that the soldiery that once saved the nation by- fire and sword may save it yet again by the example of their fidelity to the principles and institutions of the government.
After Appomattox General Lee made the great speech of his life, when he said to his vanquished army, "Soldiers ! we have done our duty, as we knew it, now let us go home and be good citizens."
A greater than Lee, the nation's silent chieftain also spoke, and his utterance will not soon die-" Let us have peace!" One is the fruit of the other, and the prayer of the Republic to-day is that we be good citizens and enjoy the blessings of peace and concord. From the hearts of patriots everywhere, attuned to the same melody, is lifted up the glad refrain ; celestial choirs prolong the joyful chorus until the spirits of our martyred dead send back the swelling anthem, "Let us be good citizens,"-" Let us have peace."
The maintenance of this lofty standard of personal character and exalted patriotism in the citizen ; the enthronement in our public life of unselfish loyalty and disinterested devotion to duty, and the es- tablishment of the dominion of incorruptible integrity and stainless honor as the predominant spirit in the public service of the country is the elevated task to which patriotism dedicates American citizen- ship. My Comrades ! do we realize the responsibility of the task imposed ? Are we equal to this supreme demand? Are we fit for this exalted service? These are the questions which the sphinx of national destiny puts to us, on the inexorable condition of death if not correctly answered. But if the patriotism of the American people, putting under its feet sectional animosity, partisan bitterness, fac- tious dissension, personal and political profligacy, selfishness and all uncharitableness, shall bear back to us on unflagging wing the ans- wer yea! yea ! then will the American Republic stand a monument to the memory of the heroic sacrifices of its citizens, when the pyra- mids are not, and Karnak is forgotten.
Comrades, I have indulged these reflections because they point the way to the honorable completion of our yet unfinished task ; be- cause I feel the elevating influence of these high ideals; because I believe there are spirit hands reaching down to-day to clasp ours of
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flesh in token of continued fellowship in the promotion of that purity of life and elevation of character which alone can qualify the nation for the splendid career and exalted destiny that await it.
Animated by these views and inspired by these hopes, Ameri- cans can hold fast their faith that the young Republic of the West, moving in queenly majesty in the procession of the nations ; proudly eminent ; guided by principles which follow in the wake of Christi- anity as verdure follows the path of the sun ; freighted with the gold- en triumphs of the past : the heir of all the ages, and led by faith in an immortal destiny as by a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night, will continue her march down the centuries, plucking new laurels and winning new victories for man and government, until ripe with years and with a completed destiny she lays the finished crown of her glory at the feet of Jehovah, at the jubilee of eternity.
During the entire delivery of the address the most perfect attention was given by the men, standing in solid mass around the platform before the speaker, whose eloquence and impressive words imparted their influence upon all. Applause was frequently given to some of the stirring sentiments. At the conclusion most hearty cheers were given the orator.
Sergeant Isaac A. Cleaver moved a vote of thanks for the able, interesting and eloquent address of Comrade Brosius, which no words of ours could adequately convey, save by the feeling within our hearts which responded to its eloquent utterances. The motion was seconded by Captain George A. Lemaistre, Co. H, and Colonel John Wainwright, and was passed unanimously by the voice of every comrade present in response.
David M. Taylor of Co. A then presented the following reso- lutions :
WHEREAS, The expense incurred by Colonel Price in publishing the History of the Ninety-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teers, still exceeds by $300 the amount yet realized from the sale of books; and
WHEREAS, It seems right and proper that the author of this valuable historic record of the members and the services of the Regiment should be relieved of this indebtedness ; therefore
Resolved. That we, the surviving members, assembled at the Reunion of the Regiment this 29th day of October. 1884, hereby authorize and direct the treasurer of our association to pay over to
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Brevet-Colonel Isaiah Price $300, and receive therefor sixty copies of the History.
Resolved, That the president shall appoint a committee of five, whose duty shall be to take charge of said Histories and sell the same as opportunity may offer, the proceeds accruing therefrom to be paid into the treasury at the annual meeting. Said committee to have full discretionary power to present copies to worthy members and the families of deceased members who are unable to purchase theni.
Before the question upon the resolutions was taken Colonel Price said, he desired to say that this action was a surprise to him, and entirely without his concurrence ; that he only asked of the members of the Regiment such individual subscriptions as might be desired by them. But if the association intended to procure the number of books named in the resolutions, he could only say the books were on hand.
Sergeant Cleaver then stated that while in feeling he had the most hearty concurrence in the object of the resolutions to reimburse Colonel Price for the unliquidated balance of cost for publishing the History, it was necessary for the members of the association to know that, if these resolutions were passed, there was not sufficient funds in the treasury to meet the amount named, and it was a question yet undemonstrated whether the association would be in a condition to meet such an order as at present constituted, and referred to the general expenses for this Reunion, which would perhaps exhaust the treasury of its present provision for funds.
Colonel Price then asked that the mover of the resolutions should consent to withdraw them, which, after some further remarks by Comrade Taylor and others, was done by him.
The secretary, Major L. R. Thomas, having now returned with the minutes and other papers, they were read by him as presented in the foregoing account of the meeting of May 3d.
On motion the minutes were adopted as read.
The chairman, Colonel Guss. then stated the first business in order to be an election of officers to serve for the coming year.
On motion of Marriott Brosius, Esq., the present officers were re-elected for another year.
As the chairman, upon whom, in accordance with the by-laws, the duty devolved of calling the association together, desired to have some expression from the comrades present as to their wishes in the matter, the question of how often it was best to have future Reunions of the association was then taken up. Various sugges-
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tions were made by different comrades as to time, varying from one to five years.
Captain W. James, Co. G, moved that the Reunions be annually.
D. M. Taylor, Co. A. favored less frequent meetings, on account of many having to come from long distances and at considerable expense.
Sergeant Cleaver also referred to the difficulties attending these gatherings, many of the comrades not being in such financial con- dition as to bear the expense.
Dr. Worrall, Co. B, was urgent in the support of an annual Reunion. He said we were growing older each year, and Colonel Guss, was not the only white head here to-day, and our numbers are growing less every year. Five years is a long time, and some of us may not be living to assemble at the next if it be so long deferred. Let us meet together each year and touch elbows again as of yore, and enjoy our life while we live in reviving these old memories, and let our association keep us warmly united in feeling and interest. We can all afford to come together one day in each year and be boys again, and renew our soldier life, as now we are inspired by mingling in social intercourse with each other.
Several motions were suggested, proposing two, three and five years. But the question upon the motion of Captain James being seconded, was first taken up, and decided in the affirmative almost unanimously.
The date for holding the meeting being now the subject for consideration, the 29th of October was first mentioned by Colonel Guss as one as appropriate as any in consequence of its being the time of our organization, but as the weather was liable to be cold, and perhaps stormy, it might be well to fix upon an earlier day.
Colonel Price suggested the rith of September, as that was about the time of the first occupation of Camp Wayne ; or the 22d of August, the date of the muster-in of Co. A, the first company of the Regiment organized. After considerable expressions by Com- rades Brosius, Cleaver, Captain James, Dr. Worrall. Colonel Guss, Colonel Lewis, D. M. Taylor, Co. A. Sergeant McBride, Co. D. Sergeant Kent, Co. C. and others, on motion of Sergeant Cleaver it was decided to hold the next Reunion on the third Wednesday in August, and in West Chester as the most available and central place for these occasions.
Colonel Guss then declared the business meeting closed, and
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asked the comrades to get their dinner tickets and meet in the hall for the banquet.
Before separating Colonel Price announced that Mr. Marshall, photographer of West Chester, was in readiness on the ground to take a photographic group of the Regiment, and asked the com- rades to take position before the camera on the right of the stand. With ready promptness of movement the entire body of men stood side by side in solid mass before the camera, as, in times gone by, they had stood shoulder to shoulder under arms, looking into the cannon's mouth unquailingly at Wagner, Gregg and Sumter ; before Petersburg and Richmond ; at Cold Harbor, at Fort Har- rison, at Fort Fisher and the gates of Wilmington. With these experiences engraven upon their bronzed faces, they could calmly look into the milder mouth of the camera about to be opened upon their defenseless faces without fear of the consequences. At such a moment Mr. Marshall could not have found a more fitting and appropriate suggestion than that he made, " Perhaps you had better take off your hats." Little could he know the instant feeling of every soldier there of the suggestive contrast conveyed by his words. To us it brought back again the cry of the "Lookout !" "Wagner, cover!" "Johnson, cover !" when with bated breath we awaited the result of the impending "whang bang" of the shell as it exploded over our devoted heads.
Two seconds sufficed for the first shot from the camera, when Mr. Marshall requested a few minutes to prepare for a second assault, which was as unflinchingly faced.
Then the word of command was given to move upon the works within the Exhibition Hall. The charge was short, sharp and decisive, and the citadel occupied by the voracious invaders within less time than it takes to recite the particulars.
The tables, ten or twelve in number, were found to be well pro- vided with all that the hunger, or the fastidious taste, could desire, showing that the committee in charge of this most important part of the arrangements well understood the requirements of the situation ; for had they not with them all the experience of the importance of the Commissary and Quartermaster Departments being placed in capable and competent hands? And with this knowledge of a soldier's expectations they were sure to have the rations well up to the front when the halt was called, and the camp kettles were to be rattled out of the baggage trains ready for instant service.
The committee of arrangements had decorated the building in
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. most admirable taste with a profusion of bunting that called forth the admiration of all, and the presence of the old emblems of our service stirred the patriotic heart of every veteran present.
When all had taken their places at the tables, the central one being occupied by Colonel Guss at the head, with Mother St. John and her daughter on his right; with the orator of the day, Lieu- tenant Brosius, Colonels Wainwright and Price and Captain Wayne on his left, and opposite to him our veteran Chaplain, whose first experience of leading the religious services in camp was in front of Petersburg, at brigade headquarters, the Sunday after his arrival at the front, when in the midst of the prayer a shell from the rebel batteries broke just overhead and scattered its fragments in the midst of the congregation, and wounded a man at his side. Undismayed by what might well make an old soldier seek cover, he stuck it out and finished the invocation, no doubt feeling in his heart he was seeking the best refuge for man in any emergency. So we may say " our veteran Chaplain," was then called upon by Colonel Guss to ask the Divine blessing upon our repast, which he did in a few well-chosen words.
The following programme and bill of fare, prepared by the com- mittee, had been circulated among the comrades previous to the meeting :
REUNION
OF NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, P. V., WEST CHESTER, PA., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 1884.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
MEET AT FAIR GROUNDS.
II A. M.
BUSINESS MEETING,
11 A. M. TO 12 M.
ORATION !COMRADE MARRIOTT BROSIUS).
12 A. M.
DINNER,
1.30 P. M.
BILL OF FARE.
ROASTS.
BEEF.
BREAD.
LAMB.
ROLLS.
BUTTER.
CHICKEN SALAD
OYSTERS ON SHELL. CELERY.
CHOWCHOW.
MIXED PICKLES.
SPANISH OLIVES.
WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE. MUSTARD.
COFFEE.
FRUITS. GRAPES.
BANANAS.
ICE CREAM.
VANILLA.
CHOCOLATE.
MIXED CAKES.
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APPLES.
TURKEY.
CRANBERRY SAUCE.
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Then the replenishment of the inner man was commenced, in order that "the feast of reason and flow of soul " might receive the fuller inspiration of the thankful hearts thus gathered together here once more in cordial and fraternal association, partaking joyously again of the bountiful gifts provided for the sustenance of life and for the growth of our common natures into even more and more perfect harmoniousness of intercourse in all the varied relations of life.
What other class of our people could have a higher or better appreciation of such a meeting as this between the comrades of the war thus gathered to perpetuate the memories of their toils and sacrifices encountered in the line of duty which caused the loss of so many lives of our comrades whom we sadly miss at a time like this, when we realize so keenly the vacant place at our side once filled by loved comrades whose last answer to the roll-call was long ago, just before the battles at Foster's, Green Plains, Fort Fisher, Drury's Bluff, or others that we remember as these ?
During the repast. Wilson's Orchestra discoursed most excel- lent music, which enlivened the spirits of all as they partook of the viands set before them.
When at length the siege of the tables had resulted in the demolition of the more than abundant supplies provided, and the sense of renewed content of body and mind began to be manifest, the president, Colonel H. R. Guss, rapped for order, and called attention to the next business as arranged upon the programme by the committee, which was the regular toasts prepared for this occa- sion. The reading of these was then proceeded with in the follow- ing order :
FIRST REGULAR TOAST. " The Citizen Soldier. When baptized in the fire of battle became the Veteran."
"Corporal Casey, can't you be aisy ? Your gun is on my foot. If you can't ground arms without such harms You shall be the captain's cook."
Colonel D. W. C. Lewis was named for this toast, and responded as follows :
The citizen soldier ! Name honored by sage and poet ! Let niemory carry you back to the winter of '60 and '61, when we were all engaged in pursuits of peace and industry-the farmer at his plow, the mechanic in his shop, the merchant at his business and the
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student at his studies-without a thought of what was to follow in the near future. The muttering and threats of treason began to be heard in the North, borne by every breeze that came from the sunny South. As insult after insult was hurled by traitors, at the govern- ment and the flag of our country, our blood began to boil, and we listened with bated breath and waited patiently for the time to come when we could strike under the laws, for the laws and by the laws for our country and its laws.
That time soon came. On the 15th of April, 1861, there came flashing over the wires the news of the firing upon and capture of Fort Sumter, followed by a call from that prince of Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, for seventy-five thousand men to help him enforce the law that bore so lightly on all. You all remember how that call was obeyed. In less than twenty-four hours the men who, up to that time, had been engaged in pursuits of peace and industry, responded in more than thrice the number of the call, transformed and enrolled as citizen soldiers, sworn to defend and, if need be, die in defence of their country.
How were these obligations kept? Consult history and see what the citizen soldiers have undergone in defence of their country and for the purpose of perpetuating their love of liberty and free thought. Their graves mark hillside and valley from Maine to Mexico, from Atlantic's shore to Rocky Mountain slope. Their wounded and suffering ones are in your midst. The people should not forget them-they whose whitened heads show that they are blossoming for the grave. But remember that they are but a part of the grand army of citizen soldiers who gave their all to save the Republic.
You all remember Sixty-one. When crime and treason had begun To agitate our happy land. With one accord a patriot band. For freedom's defence, both good and grand,
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