National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-21
SECRETARY BBIKEAP

SPEECH AT THE REUNION OF THE
ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.
In response 70 q toast "Our sister armies Of the
East and the West'i-at the reunion banquet
OF the Army Of the Cumberland, Secretary Bel
KNAPP responded ~ follows:
GEETLE1HH OF THE ARMY OF TIE CUEBER-
LAND: This occasion gives me great satiBfaetion,
for it Is my first attendance upon reunion OF the
society Of this army. an army which, side By side
with the one % which bad the homer % belong,
fought the fights Of the nation together an
worked through the pressing trials Of the Atlanta
campaign until victory and surrender cane.
who belonged 70 one Of the armies Of the west
armies whose private soldiers had no thought but
the fule%snI q PS'sRS sItSAG 3si sTe SCbs
which true service gives and tried courage ooGn-
mands-snd whose leaders, free from jealous en-
yies and unseemly asplr1tionl, lapored with con
bye at Atlanta-you going 70 new victories glori.
Ously to be won, and he 70 the accomplishment Of
that achievement sung IN song, told IN story and
sea. The harmonious union Of the men Of these
armies, and the marked absence Of elements
which might have marred success, e itself a
| tribnte to their patriotism This, though guided
By ambition. taught them 70 march when the
order came, and made itself felt IN the renoyu
won, BY deeds done from motives Of pure outy
Hand Joined with hand, and heart with hoaTf, mo
resolufely, IN these Western armies, and Whit
glorious rfvalries inspired the divisions, e is 4
brave battslions, our leaders won their triumph
1 By skin and energy.
And there Is another thought, holding within
| Il most sacred memories, which should I'LL to
- thaae whose names are OF
and born soldisf el56a.ae ei
MS men; encouraged them I'll had fhe - q
his smile and attracted tii5lRi n = densanor q
ana i was sad hour when the word which tod
ue q MS loss passed down the line. The hero had
ms last salute IN the battles caDnonadfnR.
You soldiers Of the Army OF the Cumberland
Will always DO homage to the memory Of your
own Thomas, who stood like q rock Thlle' the
army which leaned upon him linked his name
With victory. His last hour came among peaceful
lapors IN the quiet Of home. As We saw hie COM
raoes Of high rank stand By the body of the hon
oreo DEAD and a. the tributes Of esteem fell from
ne Ups 81 men whose words Were worth possesS-
ing, We felt that the genius which GUIDED i'm
and the integrity which controlled his NE found
lecompoEl IN the regrets which followed him
Brave and loyal. tried and true few were hetter
none were prayer than Mcpherson and Thomas
1nelr armies bound around their htoWs the
claimed for the PAGES Of is history the gtorV a.
their fsne. Great is the pride that We shouid
feel IN the memory o. these men. and In = rafhey
ing like this, which reTiFog the recollection of
their soldiers deeds and their own manly vaior.
Our sister armies Of the East ere hsre n spirit
with their ulster army OF the West, and On ths
folds q their banners IS they uurol, gilstsn the
names Of Gettysburg and Of the uncountsd nelds
where the men Of the grand old Army Of the POI
mas and Of the ether armies Of the East gave
s,atels q the Potomac and q the Tennessee, Of
ne Cumberland and 81 the james, mingle To-
llfnt peacefully together. When the country
called our Western leader East, the liaks OF SOL
lleLiy lofe were bound IN chain or friendly union
1si9s' ne continent which no power can break