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 6
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in one ceaseless round. Richmond. Petersburg, Fort Fisher, how clearly we see it all ! This day dead comrades ; that day bearing off a bloody field the form of a beloved Major, stricken with many wounds. [Applause.] These memories are not the idle phantas- magoria of an over-excited brain, but living memories of stirring scenes of twenty years ago, and reason must have forsaken its throne in the man who has forgotten them. [Applause.] Like the noon- day sun breaking through the storm-cloud, bathing the earth in a bright sheen of glory, these memories come o'er me, and, bright though they be, my heart is saddened by others. On the slopes of the sunny Southland ; by the rippling waves of the winding James ; on North Carolina's billow-beaten coast, rest those whose triumphs, defeats and trials have ended. Then let us pause in the midst of the festive scenes of to-day, and while the autumnal winds, soughing through the dying verdure of the forest, sings a sad requiem over their graves, consecrate one memory, one thought, to our dead comrades-the absent ones with whom we touched elbows twenty years ago! [Applause.] Their death carried grief and sorrow into many households. Hearts, stricken and desolate. bowed at the fireside, and 'tis useless to try to swing the burden clear of any heart by throwing into the scale on the other hand the vast amount of captured cannon, or the number of prisoners taken. It will not lighten the load one ounce. [Applause.] But this thought may: their death helped to establish on a firm basis and forever, that government without a model ; that government without a prototype, and to place that flag (here a piece of the old regimental flag, shot away at the battle of Green Plains, Va., was shown, the fairest blossom in all the flowery world, to blooming in its native soil once more. [Great applause.]
Now, comrades, I implore you to keep alive these memories and scenes of twenty years ago. Do not forget that you once composed a part of that army which gained an individuality attained by none other of which history tells. [Applause.] Hurled time after time by incompetent general officers against impregnable works, beaten back in a shapeless mass, yet ever ready to plice its bleeding bosom between danger and its country, and beat back the billows of rebellion, in spray tinged with its life blood, to the lair from which they came. [Applause.] Napoleon once said, in a burst of haughty eloquence, " In all the great armies of Europe the com- mander was everything." "It was not," said he, "the Roman army that conquered Gaul, but Casar ; it was not the Carthagenian army
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that made Rome tremble at her gates, but Hannibal ; it was not the Macedonian army that marched to the Indies, but Alexander : it was not the Prussian army that beat back from her borders three of the most powerful armies of Europe, but Frederick " This proud apotheosis has no application to the Army of the Union. In it no central figure arose to become the cynosure of all eyes. 'Tis true the names of Grant, Sherman, Meade, Sheridan and Pennsylvania's gallant sons, Hancock and Reynolds, stand prominently [great applause] the peer of any of the great military chieftains of Europe, yet they are but the perspective of the picture, the bold outlines of which is that gallant army that dared to do and die for God's own country. [Applause.]
Now, let me say in conclusion, let us keep up this touch of the elbow ; let us once in every twelve months meet here and recall the scenes and memories of twenty years ago ; and may the anniversary of this day be a bright flower, pure as the calla, to place in our garland of years. [Applause.]
SIXTH REGULAR TOAST.
" The men of the 97th Pennsylvania Volunteers, who died that the Republic might live. The mystic chords of memory that stretch from every battle-field."
"O'er fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread, And Glory guards, with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead."
Assigned to Captain Geo. A. Lemaistre, who responded as follows :
Mr. President and Comrades : At this time I cannot prevent memory taking me back twenty-three years, when with hearts full of patriotic fire, we first greeted each other on this ground. But I look in vain for the faces of many noble ones who were then with us. The handshakings of to-day but recall more vividly to each of us the absent ones.
The joy of our meeting is mingled with melancholy thoughts of those who gave their lives that this country might live. Their patriotism, fidelity and courage can never fail to be cherished. The brave and faithful Durnell. the modest and patriotic Watkins, the unflinching courage of our beloved Carruthers and the daring and impetuous Hawkins will ever be green in our memory.
Our death roll is long and illustrious. In almost every southern
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state our heroic comrades have fallen. Their names will be cherished not only by us, but by their posterity until the end of time.
All honor to the glorious dead whose devotion to their country has taught a lesson too solemn to be forgotten. Their names with their deeds will ever be held in reverence by a grateful people.
The responses to the toasts were all very eloquently delivered and each of those responding was liberally applauded. Comrade Worrall's response to " The touch of the elbow," although entirely impromptu, was decidedly appropriate and in it he recalled many pleasant reminiscences of the days when the comrades' elbows touched while in line for the preservation of The Union.
After the conclusion of the regular toasts many of the comrades were gathered about the stand occupied by the music and sang, ac- companied by the orchestra, many of the stirring and patriotic songs of the war, which seemed to intensify the feeling of comradeship and unforgetfulness of the old times when they sang together around the camp-fire to cheer the loneliness of those days of toil and service. And then came the closing scene at the banquetting hall, and really the last feature on the programme-a song by comrade Ray of Phil- adelphia. This over, the meeting terminated in many cheers for comrades and officers that made the hall resound with echoes, such as never were heard in " Old Camp Wayne " since the boys left it in 1861.
The carrying out of the programme was so successful that it exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine, and much credit is due the following executive committee having the matter in charge : L. R. Thomas, Samuel Hawley, John A. Groff. David Jones, D. W. C. Lewis, S. A. March, Oliver Channell, I. A. Cleaver, Cap- tain Underwood and others.
At 4 P. M. the drum and fife were again heard sounding the re- call. Colonel Price again called upon the comrades in the old-time way-" Fall in, boys," when the march was resumed up Church to Market, to High, to Gay. When at the old landmark the line was halted, and faced to the front, Colonel Price spoke these part- ing words: "Comrades, we are about to separate, but only for ano- ther year, when we will all meet again, I hope, our ranks undimin- ished I trust, and our locks not much the whiter in the interval. I
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feel that I shall voice the sentiment of every one of us here when I say we have had a most grand and enjoyable time, and that our Re- union has been a most magnificent and gratifying success. Good- bye, comrades, God bless you all ; but before we disperse there is one name that we have heard spoken to-day, more than once, in terms of honor and love, whose absence we have felt and regretted : one now far away at Hot Springs, Ark., where he has gone to seek healing for his wounds-Brevet-Major General G. Pennypacker, U. S. Army. I ask you to give three cheers for him." These were given with a will. Three cheers were then given to our old Fife-major, C. Fah- nestock, our host of the Green Tree Hotel. Three cheers were given for Mother St. John : three cheers for all the survivors and three for Col. Price. Then once more the boys disbanded and returned to their homes.
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The Roster.
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel Henry R. Guss, West Chester. Lieutenant-Colonel A. P. Duer, Atglen. Colonel John Wainwright, Wilmington, Del. Brevet-Colonel Isaiah Price, Philadelphia.
Adjutant Elwood P. Baldwin, West Chester. Quartermaster David Jones, West Chester.
Quartermaster John H. Brower, Vincent. Chaplain D. W. Moore, Kennett Square. Sergeant-Major Samuel W. Hawley, Media.
Fife-Major Casper C. Fahnestock, West Chester.
BAND.
Bernard Roecker, West Chester.
Thomas H. Windle, Coatesville.
W'm. H. H. Taylor, Chester, Del. Co.
William Dalling, West Chester.
John L. Hosmer, Newtown Square.
COMPANY A.
Captain Francis M. Guss, West Chester.
First Lieutenant William Peace, Coatesville.
First Lieutenant Abel Griffith, West Chester.
First Lieutenant Harry T. Gray, Philadelphia.
Sergeant Jeptha Clark, Coatesville.
Corporal Reese Elmer Welch. Cedar Knoll.
Corporal Madison Lovett, Oxford.
Musician Edward R. Eisenbeis, Philadelphia.
Teamster Isaac P. Chandler, Ercildoun.
Private Alexander M. Chandler, Chester Valley.
.. James Y. Clark, Coatesville.
.. Isaac M. Pau ling.
.. Robert H. Humpton, Coatesville.
.. Joseph P. Robinson, Curwensville.
.. Lafayette Thompson, London Grove.
George W. Hawkins, Wilmington, Del.
.. Joseph G. Brower, ..
.. George W. Cass, Sugartown,
.. John A. Groff, West Chester.
.. William H. H. Starts, West Chester.
John W. Dow lin, Coatesville.
.. William Mercer, Talcose.
Dr. Joseph E. Valentine, Philadelphia.
(59)
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Private Ephraim L. Ross, Philadelphia.
George P. Matthews,
Ezra G. Goodwin, Frazer.
David M. Taylor, Oxford.
تـ Jeremiah King,
Isaac W. Gray, Glen Olden, Del. Co.
.4 Joseph Winkler, Manayunk.
16 Richard E. Pharaoh, Phoenixville.
COMPANY B.
Captain Dallas Crow, Philadelphia.
Second Lieutenant Jolin B. Griffith, Modena.
Ist. Sergeant Webster A. Nichols, Unionsville. Sergeant Nelson P. Boyer, Coatesville.
Harvey Highet, Fairmount, Lancaster Co.
James M. Jackson Cowan, Oxford. Gerhart Reeder, West Chester.
Corporal Robert Bruce Wallace, Philadelphia.
Private Amor N. Chalfant, Christiana, Lancaster Co.
Samuel J. Day, Coatesville.
16 George Doubts,
Joseph Emerson, Cochranville.
66 Edmund Esrey, Philadelphia.
Wesley Vance,
66 Jacob D. Lemley, Albert Harkins, Compassville.
Dr. Theodore A. Worrall, North East, Md.
George G. Supplee, Honeybrook.
COMPANY C.
Captain Leonard R. Thomas, West Chester.
First Lieut. Emmor G. Griffith,
George W. Abel, Concordville.
= Charles Warren, Valley Forge.
Sergeant Isaac A. Cleaver. Berwyn. B. Lundy Kent, Capt. 13th Heavy Art'y, U. S. C. T.,) Wilmington. Del. Stephen H. Eachus, West Chester.
. Cyrus M. Davis, Wagontown. Corporal Davis O. Taylor, West Chester. Levis T. Beidler, Cambria Station.
C. Burleigh Hambleton, Elk View.
Maris Pierce, Sioux City, Iowa.
John R. Miller, Downingtown. Jesse D. Farra, West Chester. Private Oliver B. Channel.
Samuel Woodward, ..
Emmor B. Hickman,
Samuel A. March, ..
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Private J. Jones Still, Malvern.
.. James J. Dewees, New Centreville.
.. Eugene Vickers, Philadelphia.
6. Edward Mendenhall, "
Ambrose Quay, Birchrunville. Elwood Griffith, Rock Island, 111.
William H. Speakman, W. Whiteland.
Robert A. Wilson, Cochranville.
William Whistler, Warren Tavern.
.. William D. Thomas, Downingtown.
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COMPANY D.
Captain Isaac B. Taylor, Columbia.
Second Lieutenant John W. Brooks, Coatesville.
Sergeant Samuel McBride, Frankford, Philadelphia.
John E. Davis, Philadelphia.
Corporal Robert Fairlamb, Elwyn, Del. Co.
John Goodwin, Wilmington, Del.
. John Jordan, Wilmington, Del. John W. Carter. Elam, Del. Co.
Teamster Francis W. Starkey, Aston Mills, Del. Co. Private W. W. Bullock, Wilmington, Del.
Francis M. Frame, Parkesburg. John Dowlin, Thurlow, Del. Co.
James Hamilton, Nether Providence.
.. John E. Huey, Parkerville.
Edward Maxwell, Greenville, Del. Co. Francis H. Pyle, Glen Mills, Del. Co.
. Walter Pyle, Cheyney, Del. Co.
George W. Eavenson, Thornton, Del. Co.
+ Abram Fawkes, Malvern.
.. John Pass, Chaddsford.
Samuel J. Cloud, West Chester.
.. William W. Melntosh, Downingtown.
James Beaumont, Glen Riddle, Del. Co.
.. William Beaumont. Chester, Delaware Co. Richard S. Howarth, Media,
COMPANY E.
Second Lieut John Sullivan, West Chester. Sergeant George L. Smith,
James A. Riley, Coatesville.
Corporal George Jenkins, West Chester. Musician Charles Riley,
Private Robert Sherman, Glen Hall.
Francis Hilderbrant. Danville, Pa.
Callum [Colom] Duffy, Wilmington, Del.
Thomas Dallas, Parkesburg.
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COMPANY F.
Brevet-Lieut. Colonel D. W. C. Lewis, West Chester.
Captain Lewis P. Malin, St. Davids, Pa.
First Lient. Isaac J. Nichols, Port Kennedy, Pa. Second Lieut. Thomas Cosgriff, West Chester.
John E. Huntsman, Sugartown.
First Sergeant Thomas E. Brown, Wilmington, Del. Sergeant Samuel Wynn, Nantmeal Village.
Herinan P. Brower. West Whiteland. Corporal Edward Townsend, Philadelphia. .‹ Joseph R. Richardson, Saddsburyville.
16 Jesse M. Boyles, West Chester. Henry C. Reagan, =
Private Evan Pharaoh,
Hugh Hale,
William T. Meeteer, Modena.
John W. Keeley, Spring City.
William E. Stiteler. Columbia.
Abraham Thomas, Henry Clay, Del.
Edward Shewey, Lickdale, Pa.
COMPANY G.
Captain Caleb Hoopes, Media. 06 Washington W. James, Darby, Del. Co.
First Lieut. Gasway O. Yarnall, Chester, Del. Co.
Second Lieut. William H. Eves,
First Sergeant Franklin P. Clapp, Media.
Sergeant Charles E. Ottey,
Thomas J. Wade, Oxford.
Thomas S. Dicker, Abrams, Montgomery Co.
Corporal Ezekiel T. Richie, Philadelphia.
Hillary Fox, West Chester.
Eli Dunlap. Landenberg, Del. John S. Culbert, Chester, Del.
Private Crosley B. Wilson, Media.
William Popjoy, Alexander Miller, Crum Lynn, Delaware Co.
George White, Marple, Delaware Co. Philip Rothwein, Roxborough, Philadelphia.
COMPANY H. Captain George A. LeMaistre, Wilmington, Del. .. Theodore M. Smedley, Sergeant Robert J. Baldwin, Pottstown, Montgomery Co. Robert Walker, Downingtown. Corporal Thomas W. Durnall, Collamer. William F. Smith, Conshohocken. Teamster Marshall B. England, West Chester.
Levi F. Snyder, Glen Moore.
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Private Alfred C. Allison, Downingtown.
Isaac B. Davis, Hopewell Cotton Works.
John A. D. Mckeever, Wilmington, Del.
Ezra H. Sullivan,
William M. Steele, Philadelphia.
4 Payne A. Goold, West Chester.
COMPANY I.
Captain George W. Duffee, Moores Station, Delaware Co.
Second Lieut. George M. Middleton, Philadelphia.
Sergeant William R. Wood, Dupont, Del.
Jacob Cline, Chester, Del. Co.
Corporal Charles Stewart. Moores Station, Del. Co. Private Thomas Edwards, Oakdale, Delaware Co.
Henry P. Lindsay, Chester Valley.
James Groff, Clifton Heights, Delaware Co.
James Maloney, Philadelphia.
David T. Nuttle, Chester, Delaware Co.
Richard Walraven, Ridley, Delaware Co.
Isaac D. Haines, Philadelphia.
COMPANY K.
Captain William Wayne, Paoli.
= William S. Underwood, West Chester.
First Lieut. William M. Sullivan, Warren Tavern.
Second Lieut. Marriott Brosius, Lancaster, Pa.
Sergeant R. Powell, Fithian, West Chester, Pa. Corporal Barnett R. Rapp, ..
Isaac Miller, Collamer, Lancaster Co.
William E. Davis, Spread Eagle.
Musician John H. Kauffman, Berwyn.
Private John S. Famous, Chester Valley.
Isaac Harrison, St. Davids, Pa.
4. Henry B. Thomas, Norristown. Pa.
Sebastian Keeley, Birchrunville.
Daniel Urmy, West Chester.
[The above list contains the names of all who registered at the office of the Secretary, and such others as could be ascertained. If any who were in attendance are omitted it is owing to their not having attended to the notice to register their names, as it would be otherwise impossible to know who were present. ]
WEST CHESTER, NOV., 6TH, 1854.
A meeting of the executive committee of the Society of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, was held at the office of John A. Groff. at 2o'clock, P. M., this date, the chairman, S. W. Hawley, presiding. Present : Wm. S. Underwood, Herman P. Brower, Robert Fairlamb, L. R. Thomas and Samuel A. March of the
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committee; Colonel H. R. Guss, D. W. C. Lewis, I. A. Cleaver and others also present.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The following bills of expenses incurred by the committee, were presented for payment :
Dr. Cr.
Rent of Fair Grounds . $ 10.00
Harry Mills for services at Fair Grounds 5.00
D. W. C. Lewis, work preparing tables, stands,
. etc. at Grounds 21.06
J. B. Smith, furnishing chairs 30.00
W. A. Rollins, decorations in Hall . 26.50
Edward Strong. carriage hire for Orator and Mrs. St. John . 6.00
T. L. Hawkins, Caterer, as per contract 330.00
T. T. Smith, for cigars 15.00
Charles Jolly, for beer . 10.00
H. C. Wood, for music
27.00
C. C. Fahnestock, entertaining Mrs. St. John and daughter . 3.50
By cash in Treasury from former collections IS4.50
received from subscriptions at meeting
256.00
contributed by Colonel H. R. Guss .. Lieutenant W. H. Eves
7.26
7.26
.. Sergeant Robert Fairlamb 7.26
I. A. Cleaver 7.26
.. .. Sergeant-major S.W. Hawley 7.26
.6
.. Captain Wm. Wayne 7.26
$484.06 $484.06
On motion the above bills, which constitute the entire amount of the cost of the Reunion, were ordered to be paid. The six comrades above named contributing equally to make up a deficiency in the amount collected of $43.56, so as to close the account and settle all bills.
There being a number of subscriptions yet outstanding, the Secretary was directed to collect the same and pay to the Treasurer of the Society. The committee then adjourned its session, to meet at such time and place as the chairman shall direct.
L. R. THOMAS, Secretary.
F8349-8602
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