The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-02-11


CINCINNATI, Ohio, Feb. 8, 1868.
Editors Journal;
The Convention of the Army of
the Cumberland, which closed its
session last night with grand ban
quet at the Burnett House, very far
exceeded the expectations of all. The
90 object of calling the meeting has been
stated. 1t was for the formation of a
social society from former soldiers of
that 4 army, and to the call, which
was made in accordance with the
wishes of Major General GEORGE
Fl. Thomas, the late beloved com
mander of that army, by Brlgadier
General W. d. Whipple, full fifteen
hundred former braves of that COM
mand assembled 1t would be out of
G the question to give full report of
all the proceedings of that patriotic
body of men In the space allotted for
this communication; but since there
are many brave soldier of that grand
army in the reach of your lDaper-
always so quick to contribute to the
qualification and honor of the men
who brayed the dangers of four years
of terrible war-a few of the many
incidents which occurred at this meet
ing, and which have not been written
up already, may, l hope, be read
with deep interest by loyal citizens as
well as soldiers.
During Wednesday few arrived in
the city, and when it was known that
the banquet was to be given at the Bur-
nett House, and that it would be the
stopping place of both LieuIa1ant
General w. L. Sherman and Major
General George I'll. Thomas, by com
mon consent 1t was made for the
time being the Headquarters of the
Army. On Wednesday night, Gems
Sherman and Thomas both reached
the city, and at 8 o'clock on Thurs
day morning made their appearance
In the rotunda Of the Burnett. Not
less than two hundred former officers
of the army had assembled there. as
if drawn together from their various
stopping places in the city, by an in
stinctive knowledge of the presence of
great and true men,. The scene was
one well calculated to affect with the
deepest emotions of joy the hearts of
all who had followed the orders of
their beloved commanders to victory,
on many a sanguinary field of battle.
All eyes were turned to those brave
men. There was no outburst of Joy or
admiration, but stout hearts that had
never taltered, even when overpower-
ed by relentless foe, beat qnicker;
eyes, which, amid the clangor of
arms, when comrades lay bleeding and
dying all around, had shed no tears,
but followed, with steady gaze, the
flag to glorious victories. were
moisted as they looked with
proud satisfaction upon, and
with 4 the deepest admiration
for their former commanders. This
meeting was an informal one. and CON
tinued up to the hour for the meeting
of the Society at HopkinsHall. Hence
all were afforded an opportunity Of
taking the hand of each OF the great
Generals, and noble-m minded gentle
men. None could fail to feel on the
occasion a revival Of the, spirit which
. sanmatedsthem during the long DAYS.
weeks, months and years, of the fear
full Struggle at arms The greeting
was one that stirred the soul within.
Each as he firmly grasped the hand
of a former comrade, felt from his
heart of hearts that he was taking the
oahand of friend who knew no decep-
ton nor no hypocrisy; for they had
been together days and weeks, and
even months, when the swift winged
messengers of death fell thick and
e fast all around, and had braved all
the dangers when none but
true men were there-all felt, all
tBel0 they were among friends.
"A former Captain of an Indiana reg
Iment said, on taking General Thomas
by the hand: = General, you may be
assured that it affords me unspeak-
able qualification at meeting you
here.3 10 this Gen. Thomas replied.
still holding the Captain bv the hand:
Captain, it certainly affords me the
greatest satisfaction to see that so
many who were Formerly officers Of
my command have assembled hero
Ia demonstrates khe fact thar thew Ara
not wanting ia tie cultivation o al
cial relations In times of peace. anv
more than they were in the discharge
of their duty on the field. The army
Of the Cun10er land ne1er aUds fund
lcGRttng." tas
At IL o'clock on Thursday, the So
ciety met at Hopkins's Hall, and eff
tected temporary organization, Gen
eral Sherman, General Thomas, Gen
eral johnson, General Kimball, Gen
eral Brannan, Generals Carlin and
! Which, together with many others
whose names were immortalized by
!. deeds of valor being present. Thereare
many brave men in the range of the cir
culation of the JOURNAL, who will read
with great pleasure that Major-Gen-
eral Richard w. johnson, who com
fI,a1 h. 81 h.,