New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-10
ARMY AND NAVY OF THE GULF
THE REUNION AZ LONG BRANCH.

THE REUNION At LONG BRANCH.
LONG BRANCH, n. j., July 0.-The banquet of
the Officers Of the Army and Navy who served In the
Department Of the Gulf which took place last evening
at stetson Hotel was a very enjoyable entertainment
notwithstanding several parties unwarrantaby ntruded
themselves and attempted TO create discord after
having been invited to participate IN the festivities OF the
evening The utmost harmony prevailed at the meeting
which was held to effect q permanent organization.
There were about l25 officers present all OF whom had
seen more or service in the campaigns OF the Ked
River and around Port Hudson In various portions Of
the room ana about the doors and windows were num-
Der of ladies' guests the hotel who seemed much IN
terested while listening TO the proceedings OF the ee
ing The election Of officers occupied put Ie" minutes
it being simply necessary 10 adopt the report
Of the Committee on Nominations. The following officers
voro eIected President Admiral Farragut; Nice-Pres
depts Admiral Bailey Gems. n. F. Banks, b. 7. Butler
phil sheridan Emory, Franklin Grove. Weitzel Ar
mold Candy, Sherman, Reynolds and AuEti recording
Secretary Manville y. Howes Corresponding secretary
Col Christensen Treasurer, Col H. Barrtli Historian
Col Deming. The important features OF the meeting
teegraphed last evening together with the Grafton and
the particulars OF an unpleasant incident which occurred
at the banquet which will here take the occasion OPP
portunely 10 explain more fully During the meeting
there was humorous discussion with reference to the
next place OF meeting, which 1t was decided shouIu DO
held on the 5th day of August 1870 1t being the
anniversary OF the capture ol loiA' AZ -N""A'o
Harbor by the Navy, under Admiral Farragut.
1t was first that tine meeting should be held on the
18th Of September the anniversary OF the battle OF GEAR
Creek where Sheridan turned defeat into victory
An amendment offered that be held on the 5th OF
August The Admiral, putting the amendment before
the meeting read the amendment the 4th OF August
This seeming absence Of mind called forth roars OF laugh
ter with remark from one OF the othcers that ~ was
of It's occurrence had slipped the Admrals mind sheH
dan who was sitting on the Admrhs right was almost
eonyused with laughter, and one enjoyed the sport
more than the veteran, Admiral Bailey, who was with
Farragut I'm all his engagements, both during the he
beliOn and the Mexican war. Boston being the place
appointed for the meeting the recent Excise law when
there In force occasioned much discussion which
also provoked upToarOus laughter in winch the ladies' all
took part During this feast OF reason and now OF soul
any person whose attention Is easily attracted might
have noticed less cOmmotion about the large
door which opens the main hall one Of the pr0pre
tors Of stetsOn House might have been seen placing
close proximity 70 Gen. Sheridan. after which he
returned the hall each passing through trong
OF persons who intently engaged IN viewing the
Of the foldingdoors Gen. Frank Blair surrounded
by two or three boon companions The General, u was
stated had just been enjoying hearty dinner at club
% bst ia and seemed disinclned TO give way 70 Tie
proprietor, who coa1ingly lmportuning mm 70 be
was escorted through the door after which he passed
10 the chair which had been previously placed along
side Of Gen. Sheridan, where be was received by the
Farragut and Gen. Sheridan, while Of the officers
had the nOOT KIND courteous, and s0ldiery There
was no DEMONSTRATION on the part OF the meeting when
aud shendan few impusive hearts gave their need OF
Blair but the cheers FAINT that II painfully
evident that there were many In the assemllage
that his usher might have permitted
the General 20 have taken back scat Affairs vent
along smoothly The Executive Committee immediately
repaired room and wrote out an invitation 10 Cen
Blair 10 be present at the banquet They might have
done by sending committee TO wait upon hin lut
they could do less. few minutes atterWafd me
General was seated at the head table within an arms
length Of Admiral Farragut and Gen. sheridan. care
ful observer might have seen that there WAS storm
brewing. The OyerchArged clOuds never gave sufsr
evidence tnan did the smile on tho face OF Frank
Blair. There was KIND OF nonGhalaht gaze ina
could not be mistaken. Everybody else seemed happy
aud Joyous. After the cloth had been removed TIE
various toasts we're called IN thelf ORDER AdmIaii
Bailey IN response 90 the toast OF 1.-The Navy narrated
in easy and unaffected manner the capture OF New
his eyes glistened like diamDDds, and he
seemed almost about TO embrace hs oia com,
rade, with whom he had grown gray IN Tue
service OF his country. An unsolled napkin which
unconsciousy Ounshed IN his night hand as he gesuc
ulated, looked Ike an immense spread eagle Whieh
created considerable merriment lie concluded ms re-
marks by giving an account OF MS nteryew WIN Gen
Lowell, who commanded the Rebels at NGW'otteahhs,
from whom he demanded the surrender OF the Guy Dy
order Of Admiral FaTagut Gen Lowell said II was usnai
for officers coming on such an efahd 70 pIhs some Gre
dentals. He, the Admiral answered Nun as ioiOWb' :
"GeueFal commanded little gunboat down the nyer
thousand OF your troops, aud that - not credenta
enough don't know what is. But have cooInrated
with the army. / commanded the Lexington, aud was
ordered TO cooperate with the army 80 every day when
the got the fOreyard used to call all the army
officers into the cabin and there we coOperatea anu
cO0perated all the way to California; ana am gad 70
with you on the 9Th Of August next" Gen. Sheridan
called upon, but he initiated the example OF MS
was drops OF gold 10 tho officers OF tho Nineteenth
Corps when told them that they hurled back tho enc
my in the Shenandoah, ana that ~ was the Vo9nkei
FsrTaRut talking 60 officer on bis Left previous y
announcing the next regular toast, an lmpetu1ns Dn
weLmeaning gentleman his night brought torwhI'
Gen. Blair The Admiral was embarrassed Tor as IN
General began speaking cold chill like those that ma
cate the approach OF tie destructive "northers OF ne
Gulf came over the entire assemolsge once On 10
feet, that supercIOus smile and nonchaant Hannr
30 noticeable before the dinner were gone. lie was N
his mette and intended 20 hurl his rebrands amid tie
banqueters 10 open fresh she old wounds ana sow ue
seed OF hate and discord He said VIII speak OF ne
people who were once our enemies, and knew tmt
when speak OF them before soldiers speak Defe Iso
who will heartily respond Those against whom we con
tended, whom we aspersed as Rebels and whom we ~
umphed over as we'll They were a great and genepus
people, they worthy OF the steel OF our best we
have heard here tonight only OF Farragut aud slerhn
bue tell you 10 tho future We WIN YET near OF TIC fdod
and BtOnewall Jackson" This was too much 1Ie JV To-,
gate Of was open ana there was one Aader
sonve, Lbby Prison, and Traitor During all TINS MAR S
element and confusion, Cen sheridan at,o ,b he
the nearest person TO the speaker his fa@ w a.
hard and unmpressible tho road he traWIeut 49,
Winchester Admiral Farragut impored thn TTe
ton, but finally compelled 10 cal nun 20
cone s aS and of tSe sSety strictly
any political discusson OF any nature whaveYer .o
u r Ssd % IT, GS sss Gc"
Universal Liberty and Perpetual Union, "m Ira az
did IN most mastery ana eioque NJ wsnhIsnt
Of discussion at aI the hotels and among te
at the Branch this morning Aud nnst say ~ OSnSdu
who handy jests while denOuncing soldiers IN the Dl
and obbies OF hotels there Is but one opnon ana
that IL that Gen Bais speech, while gueS' VI Ohon
officers, was iltimed aud out OF place. , -, a.. 40
The complimentary ball given THIS evenlns " 'ao W.
The 0uests were many prominent officers OF the army
and navy, and Senators aud ~ wonBeSo