The New York herald., 1874-10-22
SONS OF MARS.


OF the James-Fighting Their Battles
Oer-Speeches by General Is. F.. But
Ter, General Hawlcy and Others--An
Ode by DR.. Hoiland-Busincss Meet
ing, sc.
Yesterday In the theatre OF the Union League
Club the third triennial reunion OF the Soce ~ OF
the Army OF the James took place. There was q
large audience in attendance. composed OF ladies'
and gentlemen distinguished in art, military and
society circles, and the stage was filled with pont-
ical and military notabIlitles; among the rest
General Joseph r. Hawley, Ex-Governor OF Con-
necticut and President Of the Centennial Commits
sion. Generals Hancock, Kiddoo, Ingalls,, Morgan.
Graham, Con, Shaw. Alden Serren. Admiral
Rowan, Colonels Davenport, Howel, Kilbourne
Knox, Major Lockwood. Captain Freeborn and
Doctor Holland {.Timothy TitcombD.
MAJOR General Hawiey presided, and after few
remarks introduced the orator OF the occasion.
GENERAL B. y. BUTLER,
who delivered an address Of welcome to the men,
bers OF the society He said:-
SOLDIERS OF THE ARMY OF THE JAHEs-The
time Is now come when some word should be said
OF your deeds" THIS was the opening sentence or
sued ten years ago the present month. What was
then partial and IIagmentary address TO the
army alone, propose now 70 enlarge and Illus
trate, that the services OF the Army OF the James
to the country may IN some degree receive that
fun and just recognition which the patriotic
valor OF Its soldiers deserves. He then gave
sketch Of the organization OF the army,
the plan OF the campaign around Richmond,
the successful surprise march OF the Army
OF the James, and so on through the various
movements and actions down 80 the close. In
giving his sketch OF the operations OF the army
the speaker possibly omitted the names OF officers
lest the omission OF some particular movement or
deed might be construed into censure on any
individual. In concluding General Butler SAID rs
1t not q record OF which we may we'll be proud3
without detracting anything from the gallant
operations Of other armies is there any better
record to be shown In the same space OF time by
any other equal number or numbers OF menp Let
me add one thing rurther. and the record Is then
made up and concluded. The Army OF the James
never had a disaster and never suffered defeat
when more than single brigade was engaged In
the OF his ADDRESS General Butter indicated
the cutting OF Dutch Gap Canal as undertaken to
make way for the Runboats to attack the
rebel gunooats, and was left incomplete,
begged them not to finish It, lest the enemy's ves-
sells come through and attack them. The army
lest the United states Navy should be thought In
competent TO cope with the enemy's. Let US
welcome 10 meet with us all who served in what
ever capacity IN the Army OF the James, aud not
only their Oldest sons, but all their sons and their
sons sons to the latest generations, perpetuatlng
the glowing friendship each comrade feels for
another growing stronger as time goes on. and
whitening frosts OF years clear the head OF every
thought but Of that true comradeship which ai.
ways distinguished the soldiers Of the Army Of the
lanes s :no.s. ,ron,,, .nn,.r.o, ,,rono,
out Tie QQteSS, ana aILor lLS CONCLUSION ue was
warmly complimented by the oficers and mem.
Ders OF the society.
DR.. J. g. Holland was then introduced, and read
an original ode oil singular force and beauty the
main idea OF which was that our tears should not
be shed fvr the brave men who sleep I'm the
Win Il ae loo 81
hold the happiness and health OF sovereign States
in carpet bags He told, In verse, the brave men
assembled
That they who persisted at our side
Are void OF victory, al we
And lived rs nobly as they diedi
he concluded by q dne apostrophe:-
0 stately shades Of mighty men!
Wsn Warm as ws ia1 ySar psv Rnea fna sha as n
And save your country once agani
After some fine music by the Governors Island
at which resolutions were introduced by Major
John II. Howard expressing an Endorsement BY
OF the Army OF the Potomac urging on Congress
the reopening OF the OF Major General Fitzonn
BY Brevet Brigadier General Kiddoo, Major How
ard and others and were finally tabled.
very beautiful and em6iemanc Sadse was then
OF nve previously appointed to name the officers
for the organization until the next meeting re-
ported, and their recommendation OF names was
accepted unanimously Major General Terry was
chosen President, Major General WhitesOn First
Vice President General 3. W. serrel second Vice
and Colonel Carleton Treasurer.
General Serrell on being escorted to the chair,
briefly returned his thanks to the society, and the
meeting then proceeded to select their next place
or meeting and the time therefor. 1t was finally
decided that the next reunion should take place
In Philadelphia, In 1879. at such date as the per-
manent officers might select. The following hon.
orary members OF the society were elected: Gen
eral RUFUS ingalls,, Hon. Stewart L. Woodford,
Hon. John f. Francis and General w. s. Hancock,
after which the meeting adjourned.
In the evening grand banquet took place in
the same building at which large and distin
guished company were present. Letters OF con-
GRADUATION were read from the President OF the
United States, the GeneraI-in-Chiel OF the Army,
Governor DIX, Generals Hancock, Terry, and many
others Many excellent and patriotic speeches
were made IN response to the various toasts and
the company separated at late hour. all agreeing
that this was the most happy reunion OF the So
ciety or the Army OF the James.