New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-13

swelled hearts Then dangers Lang. The
the presence Of these living witnesses, In pres
Of our noble dead we renew our vows Of fidelity
service az jealous In this blessed time Of peace 10
guard the Of her flag as We were TO uphold 1t amid
the gloom OF war.
BRET HARrs's POEM
The following poem written for the occasion by Bret
Hare, was read by Mr.. James T. Fields ana ehcited
much applause:
THE OLD MAJOR EXPLAINS.
BIZ BRET HARTE.
Well, you the fact is, Colonel don't kno" ~ %"
For the farm is not half planted and there's work TO 20
at home; -,,.. a. ,.,d ma nm last
And my leg is getting tronOesOme-'' '''' "' 'f ''
And the doctorsthey have cut and hacked-and never
found the ball.
And tben-for an old man like mes not exactly righ
This kind of playing soldier with no enemy ~ ssn'
The UniOn--that well enough way up 70 90; ,,.,
But this Unon-mav6e now It's mixed with pohtics'
MOI Well, you understand it best but then you Sec
IN Deacon now and some might think that the exam
And week from next is Conference You said the 18th
Why that theday.we broke their line at sDOttsylva
NAL
Hot work. eh Colonel, MT i Ye mind that narrow
They called it the death angep Well, well, my lad.
Fight that old battle over now. only meant to say,
really can't engage to come upon the l2th OF May
How's Thompsoni wbati-wil he be there i-well, now
The first man in the rebel works They called him
A wild young fellow, Sir, IIear the rascal was-but
well-short of heaven-there warn't place he dursnt
lead his men.
And Dick you say is coming tool And Bnlyi All, it's
We buried him at Gettysburg: mind the spot. Do
little field below the hill-it must be green this May
Perhaps that's why the fields about bring MIN 10 ne W
day.
Well well! excuse me, Colonel, but there are some
The taboard ones feelings and the only ways to
So they to see the old man. ahl the rascals-dO
weve business down In Boston about the 18th OF May
SPEECH OF GEN. SHERIDAN
After Bret Hares poem had been read and the formal
proceedings closed. several distinguished officers re-
sponded to enthusiastic calls and made brief speeches
Gen. Sheridan said:
GENTLEMEN: will not detain you long. can only
member Of the Army Of the Potomac" but 1 think
feel prouder since my return home than at any period
heretofore. During my absence had the privilege or
seeing nearly army in Europe some Of these armies
in the field and some IN peace az noe a b o tbs
at that period OF its existence which has been
related here by distinguished orator. still II was
nv great delight and pleasure be a member Of it dur
ing the last years OF the war; and can say that while
very well toward the last only say, in conclusion
that OF all the armies have seen have seen none
OF the Army OF the Potomac during the last year OF the
Loud cheers
Gems Hooker, Logan, Burnside, slocum, Pleasonton,
ingalls,, Hunt, Webb. Robinson Humphreys fitzpatrick,
and Mcdowell made brief remarks Gen. Custer bowed
his thanks to burst of applause which greeted his ap-
pearance, but declined to speak.
SPEECHES OF GEMS. sLocUM AND PLEAsosroN
Maior-oen. slocum expressed the hope that the re-
unions of the army would continue for many to
,rhf aUita ha MI ptV
avoided One that Of allowing politics in their meet
ings He believed every word that Gen. Logan had said
the other day. to the necessity OF nOnrecogntion Of
politics. 1t also the duty Of the soldier he thought
place record in manner or other all the mis-
takes that made during the that they may
be avoided in future Then there not a better time
than the present to adopt some policy which should
prevent bloodshed in the future He urged them so to
conduct themselves that these meetings should be OF
great benefit not only themselves but to the country
at large.
Maor-Gen Pleasonton, in the of few pithy
marks, SAID:
Unjust disagree with Gen. slocums assertion that we
should point out all the mistakes made during the war;
mo cannonba strikes in the place twice." and the
believe too much in the intelligence, enterprise, and
Of the American people eyer S to believe
find out and TO point out what is best for the advance
men Of the country not only IN military put In civil
perience in the South and North also.
GEN. HOOKER ELECTED PRESIDENT.
The Society held business meeting this afternoon and
elected Gen. Hooker President In accepting his new
position Gen. thanked the Society for the honor
conferred saying that should feel 1t his duty
for the interest OF every soldier who bore In the
war; Above ALL he expressed the desire that the Society
should be kept out OF politics whatever other sssocia
tons might decide to do.
The initiation fee Of membership fixed at g. with
the same amount Of yearly assessment. The Society
voted to hold their next annual meeting in Cleveland
Ohio on the first Tuesday Of May.
THE BANQUET.
About 800 gentlemen present at the Army OF the
Potomac banquet at the Revere House this evening,
Gen. Hooker being the chair with the prominent Gen
erals who had spoken in the afternoon seated his
right and left The hall was decorated with flags and
presented an animated appearance Great enthusiasm
prevailed and sectional and partisan feeling buried
by broad cahocity Of spirit to which the representa-
tyes Of each State contributed their full proportion The
speeches evoked hearty applause and cheers and au
sons to Gems. Grant, Hooker, Mcdowell, Logan, Phil.
Kearney, and numerous other Generals, and to Cows
Curtin OF Pennsylvania and Andrew OF Massachusetts,
created great enthusiasm.
An attempt was made to read letter from Admiral
Porter one page Of which received fair attention but
much confusion followed that while Gen. Sharpe asked
the gentlemen to pay respect to themselves the
reader the letter skipped three four pages to the
signature and this wholesale OF abstractng"
was received with loud applause. The festivities
prolonged until midnight.
THE CAVALRY ASSOCIATION.
THE ANNUAL MEETNG-GEN. SHERIDAN ELECTED
PREsIDENT-HIS ESTIMATE OF THE GERMAN
CAVALRY ORGANIZATION.
Boston, May 12.-The Cavalry Association
held s annual meeting to-day, Gen. Pleasonton, the
De- in fha hair lan dan tad