The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1868-09-10
The Gathering of Boys In Blue
ut Indianapolis.
10000 sOLDIERs.
LETTER FROM OLD PAP THOMAS.

10000 SOLDIERS.
LETTER FROM OLD PAP THOMAS.
The Union Republican demonl
stration at Indianapolis on We'd
nesday was far ahead of anything
ever held in the West,
1t would take columns of de-
scription to give,anything like an
adequate idea of the scene.
Every train through the day,
on all the numerous roads CENTER
ing at indianapolis, came crowded
to it's utmost capacity-the Plat
forms of the cars being filled to the
lowest step. Special trains of i'm
menso size were crowded in the
same way. Two hundred extra
carloads, every car loaded down
to the guards. came in before
three o'clock. This was exclusive
OF regular trains.
Great wagan trains came in on
all the roads.
Men on "critters" thronged eve
ry side road. A12
The Fighting Boys were there.
The Veterans, with empty
sleeves, and with crutches, and
other tokens OF the fraternal re-.
gard of our Southern brethren,
were there, bearing their glorious
battle.riven banners.
Sailor boys were there, with the
colors OF the Essex and Fairy.
The Tanners were there, in force.
The Bummers were present, in
full foraging costume,
The Young MudsiIls were pre-
sent.
Tho Mounted Mon cavorted in
regular style.
The Boys were there.
The Old Men looked on in great
joy.
The Mothers and Daughters,
also, God bless theml
Every. body was there!
And the rest of mankind.
There were forty-fve bands Of
music. w
Two miles Of torches, in platoons
Of eight and ten files.
There was speaking from three
stands at once, by Major General
Hurlbut, Of Illinois; General Lee, OF
Connecticut; Sam. Galloway, of
Ohio; General Gibson, of Ohio;
General Willich, Of Ohio; Senator
Lane, of Indiana; and Governor
Dick Oglcsby, of Illinois--all men
Of national reputation.
The Indianapolis ladies fed the
multitude, in relays of fifteen hun
dred ai a time, taking from eleven
o'clock to three.
Tho whole city was illuminated.
This is the barest, briefest posi-
Bile skeleton outline of the glorious
day.
Can Ohio rival it2
Among tho letters read on tho
occasion, was the following from
the beloved commander of fmany Of
tho veterans present, "Old Pap"
Thomas, Us they used to call him
aifectionately:
LOUISVILLE, Ky. Aug. Z.
Mossrs. John Coburn, o. P. Nor
ton aud A. Ii. Conner, Commit.
tee:
GENTLEMEN Il have the honor
TO receive by this mornings mail
your favor Of the 9th instant, invi.
ting mo TO join with the soldiers
and sailors Of Indiana in a mass
convention to be held at the city of
indianapolis, on the ID day Of Sep.
tomber next. Your very cordial
invitation commands my sincere
thanks, and, though take no part
in politics, permit mo 10 express
the great pleasure | have derived
from observing tho firm and al.
most universal support offered by
the soldlors and sailors throughout
the country to oil measures calcu-
lated to restore II to a condition Of
peace ard quiet, thereby showing
that those most willing to support
the Government in times Of peril
can DO relied upon to inaugurate
and maintain measures best calcu.
lated to secure the peace and pros.
perity Of the nation. p
| am, gentlemen, very respect
fully, Your obodient servant,
GEO, Ii. Thomas,
Major General U 5. Army.
Letters were also read from Gov.
ernor Hayes, Of Ohio; Governor
Fairchild, Of Wisconsin,; Governor
Fletcher, Of Missouri; and Matt Ii,
Carpenter, Of Wisconsin; ox.Gov.
ornor Cox, Governor Goary, OF
Pennsylvania; Liutenant Govern.
or Woodford, Of New York; Gov
ornor Burnside, ex Governor Haw.
Icy, General Schenck, Mr.. Bingham
&C., &C. Ohio State Journal.