New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-09
THE ARMY OF TIE GULF.
FIRST REUNION AT LONG CHARACTERIZATION OF
GEN. EMORY.

GERS OF the Army ana Navy who formerly served IN
Army Of the Gulf, held their first reunion this evening
Among the guests Gen. Sheridan, Admiral Farragu
Gen. Frank i. Blair Col Drake Gen. Heintzelman. Col
Christensen, Major Montgomery, RearAdmiral Bailey
and Gems Davis, Sharp, Thomas, Peek Eyarts, Brge
Walker, Drake, Neaae Fisk Allaire, Sergeant
Bowen, Hubbard, Mayer and Roberts. The meet
ing was convened in the paror Of the stetson House
Admiral Farragut presiding After the organization Of
tho Association effected officers elected for the
ensuing year. follows: President-Admiral FarraRut
Observation-Disclosures Bailey. Gems. NJ p Banks,
F. Butler, Phil Sheridan, Emory, Franklin, Grover
Weitzel, Arnold Candy, Sherman, Reynolds and Augur
Recording secretary-G. p. Howes. Corresponding Sec
retary-Col Christensen. Treasurer-Col. II. Barret
Hisorsn-Col Demng. 1t was decided that the next
nual meeting should place Boston, Of Au
gust 1870 the anniversary Of the capture OF the forts In
Mobile Harbor. Gen. Emory had been appointed orator
OF the day but owing his unavoidable absence the
ton was read by Col. Walker as follows:
COMRADES In thejpesence OF such eminent statesmen
aud orators will not presume TO weary you with a
studied GRAFTON. Anything that could say wOuld be
nut poor equivalent for the comprehensive and fluent
speech spced with the grim humor Of Butler, the mag
neto but dignihed eOquence OF Banks Both OF these
ed the Department OF the Gulf in trying times and,
war over have pat the impress OF their genius upon the
our glorious President the Admiral of navies that
embodiment OF the chiyalry of the that real,
his bravery he could give You comprehensive view OF
the aims and objects OF the joint operations OF the army
There is Franklin, man Of great ability, mastering with
ease any duty he undertakes and my less able and
valued friend, Gen. Candy whose clear mind
pshed mien would have left You nothing to wish for
There is Weitzel gallant Gen. weitzel whom many Of
conscientious representative Of his State Congress
he was IN the army There Grover. Shepey, and G..
G. Dwight OF NewYork the eOurteOus able young Judge
Bowen fesseDden and host OF others whose ability and
most critical audience. Indeed my friends you will be
at no loss in the future TO select proper person 20 adj
dress at your annual meetings There is Sheridan
ana WHO has already pronounced his official euogy
your fighting in the valley OF the Shenandoah Whatever
he might would justly pass in the country
from his valor ability, and high position Comrades /
was very much pleased when first heard Of the organi
zaton of this Society. II duty the dead as well
as to tho living Let Us see to It that the many false
moods about our armies, so freely circulated
IN the past, are at once crushed out Let
dead the gallant Williams Hubbard. Benedict Peck
OF Conneeticut Smith OF the Zouayes Chaplin Babcock
bered Let us see to also that our surviving heroes
meet with that justice In the future that too often has
about the ISLANDERS about our command that filled the
public prints aud penetrated even to the War Office and
have tried 10 discover the reason for them Other armies
nave oeeh more unfortunate than ours ever was mono
ever displayed more discipline and endurance One such
disaster As happened during the 20 the armies OF the
East aud West would have completely anuhilated an
army like ours. with n base Of supplies located
population and cut on from TeGuforcements except by
The slow route by the Gulf and ocean. We had no suc
In silence while they received praise. One great caUe
for these omissions undoubtedly our great distance
from Washington from which emanatcd most OF the war
news Another fruitful source Of comment the del
cate civil duty nirusted to the commanders Of the De
partmeut OF tina Gulf in addition 10 their military fuuc
lions. They were the pioneers OF that important nnd
difficult task OF reconstruction. They raised and
regular army. The public mind not then fully
prepared for these acts Each voter criticised each step
taken by the commander Of the Gulf Department Ia these
directions. Their political acts were discussed from the
Inquest TO tue lowest aud approved or rejected while
the brilliant and important operations OF armies,
showing saVacity IN the commanders and pluck. dsc-
pne and endurance I'm the cn were obscurcd aud lost
z OF leu ID "a
you find more dasAiug achievement Ibau the capture
you ind neater military operation than the capture %
by q morass on the other by the Bayou Techc. and
kISxapri and ,ycs,rIy detoIir to Port Hgdoa remit
INK la the capture " is garrison the opeuing Of the Mis-
sisppi aud tho dyisou 81 the COnfedcracy. Then our
armies suffered Incredible Ardshipa nom disease aud
constant duty day ANA night throughout siege 90 as
day., and mode repeated and gallant assaults uns1r
you has forgotten the gallant defense OF Fort Butler,
near DOnaldsUnyic by 80 nXad against The her'e aud
brave attack OF division Of Texans under Green. result
there soldiers 10 mau the fort No less
ntrrpid Was the rcpulsc of the enemy nc Iafourche
headed by young graduate ~ Harvard NO. my fnend
-hry drmnpdcd Ina The t0pniar cotcmporancous news.
pa per history Of the war whlc the G0Nctnmeit only
10 appreciate them when the beat OF the fight was
pycr Indeed may say with truth that 10 was mainly
py dnt OF hard blows in the Shenandoah Valley under
ho just aud penetrating scrutiny 81 SHERIDAN near
ho center 81 operations az Washington. that
hey could bs induced 20 look back 10 your
brilliant and important service In the Department
If the Gulf and with slowly yielding astonshmeu they
we're forced to acknowledge that The troops from tue De-
partmcnt ~ The Gnt were equal IN conaEe molac anu
discipline 10 the best ~ any army. what would have
been fate al Cedar Crce, when tie enemy, Instead
Corps lust as they had repealed two OF his
divisions from the 'front.' without ms dscp.e anu
morale. how w0uld you have eHtflcaed yOutsJu rom
his dilemma 10 form an unhroken ne from when you
we're temporarily Withdrawn only 10y superior ~
ientlcmeu, accept TINS Invitation ~ opEo I'M I'M
an tho unpleasant feelings cngehdeicd ny lho
pare force for the hcld have been lorgotten,
md that We are united To-Day Us pto'1 ~ ~ =.
Of gratitude at ths hhai result ,ngn.
ccau 10 your memory win saisIactlVn t9o lnahy 1E
inu rais Of arms land aud vatcr the long marches
iudef tropical sun, the brave endurance OF Onces hu
men while lying IN swanpS hl h .,i ne, Ill.,
ire and exposed To the stl more Htnl malaria oI these
reunions ard festivals Of Late aud hays failed
o that the address Is the par OF Tue pf2grHhno
will no longer detain you from tho more Agreeable
part IN tho plan 81 our reunion. lherc let W.
N hours OF danger aud hardship. aud there let us
ay broad and deep new foundation upoh Wmch lo per
,enate that friendship In our hours OF comparative ease
nd comfort. Lot forget all little person. nerehcr
any not alroady forgiven aud forgotten aLd let moss
with the appreciation 81 comrades VINO knew
her wOrth-a higher reward than governments can be-
rom ranTcxas long horn killed mhOt blood, and fede
IatfL au1 HUGS washed down not with the sagn9nt
water OF Bayou Sara or the green scam OF Tue lecne, @
a I'M uurple Clos TOngCO sparkling champagne Lel u
al feel Just pride In our service IN tho Army and Ny W
records In the ufbcpartmcnt, with as much pride ana
acurjty as upon the records any OF US may have aus ~
M INV al The Potomac, the armies VI the west VI 'ho
Army OF the. Shenandoah.
After the delivery OF the Grafton, Col Duganne read
poem written for the occasion The proceednsSo 'ne
meeting were entirely harmonious.
The banquet began at 10 o'clock Eat the head OF the
able Nas seated ADMIRAL Fauagut; on his right Gen.
sheridan and Gen Frank Blair and on his left Admiral
Bnley At the same table Gen. Helntzelman' Gen.
Johnson Of the Twentyhrst Corps, Gems. Blrge'
Dwight, Peck Hubbard, Christensen, walker
Day, blanchard, Sharpe, Sergeant. Drake, winner
ding Tleston, Cochrane. Cowel, carr anu
pavmaster II. A. Haggerfy, of the Regular Army.
dr,rsl Bailey responded for the Navy In the happest