New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-05-17


and women of to-day may become an ex-
haustless wellspring of patriotism. Nor is
it without benefit to ourselves that we meet
together as q society at these annual re-
unions, not as proud victors to boast our
battles won; not to eXalt ourselves: still
less to exult over brave but fallen foe.
Our meetings serve a nobler end. Mingllng
with one another, clasping the hands of
comrades endeared by many common dan
gers, looking into the familiar faces OF our
beloved chiefs, we find renewed within our
selves in these quiet days that fervent love
of country which swelled our hearts when
dangers were upon us. The waning fire is
rekindled here. Before one another, in the
presence of these living witnesses. and the
presence of our noble dead, we renew our
vows of fidelity to our, country. We go
hence baptized anew into her service, as
Jealous now in this blessed time of peace to
guard the honor of her flag as we were to
uphold it amid gloom and war"
The following poem, written for the occa-
sion by Bret Harte, was read, and elected
much applause:
The Old Major Explains.
BY BRKrE HARTE.
d" Well, you see the fact is Colonel,
don't know RS can come.
For the farm is not half planted,
And there is work to do at home;
And my leg is getting troublesome
II laid me up last fall.
And the doctors, they have cut and hacked,
And never found the bail.
g" And then, for an old man ike me-
It's not exactly right
This kind of playing soldier with
No enemy in sight.
The Union, that was well enough
Way up to &c,
But this reunion, NAV be, now,
. n Nv1z1rh
No; well. you understand 1t best; d..
But, then, YOU see my lad,
I'm deacon now, and some might think
That my examples bad.
And week from ne xt is conference
You said the twelfth of May
Why, that's the dav We broke their line
At Spottsylvaniai
Hot work, eh Colonel, wasn't ita
ie mind that narrow 'front.'
They called it the death angle
Vel well, my boy, We won't
Fight that old battle over now;
only mean to say,
can't engage to come
Upon the twelfth of May.
How's Thompsonl What will he be there
He will be there, know;
TIE first man in the r- bel works
They called him swearing Joe.
"A wild young fellow, sir, fear,
The rascal was, but then,
Well short of heaven, there wasn't place
He dursn't lead his men.
And Dick you say is coming too;
And Blly-ah, that's true;
We buried him at Gettysburg
mind the spot do youl
A little field below the hill
1t must be green this NAV.
Perhaps that's why the fields about
Bring him to me to-day.
Well well, excuse me, Colonel
But there are some things that drop
The tail board out of ones feelings
And the only ways to step.
So they want to see the old man.
All, rascals do they, Ell
Well, Pve business down in Boston
About the twelfth of May
The exercises were interspersed with
patriotic music. A banquet takes place
this evening.
BosToN, May 12.-The sixth army corps,
at their annual meeting to-day, elected the
following officers: President, Major General
H. K. Wright; Vice Presidents, General
John Newton, third division; General
Thomas H. Hill, second division; Major
General Schafer, first division; Correspond
ing Secretary, Colonel David J. Milne; Re
cording Secretary General Joseph E. Jack
son; Treasurer, Colonel Samuel J. Truesdell
After the formal proceedings closed,
several distinguished officers made brief
speeches.
General Sheridan said during his absence
he had seen nearly every army in Europe,
and that there were none OF them whose
standard excellence was higher than was
that of the Army of the Potomac during the
last year of the war.
The society held business meeting this
afternoon, and elected General Hooker
president. In accepting his new position,
General Hooker thanked the society for the
honor conferred, saying that he should feel
it his duty to act for the interest of every
soldier who bore arms in the war; also, he
expressed desire that the society should
be kept out of politics, whatever other
associations might decide to do.